How do we keep going forward when we’re exhausted?
I’m exhausted. The month of May held much more than I anticipated. I loved celebrating Peter’s graduation and having family come from around the country to be part of the celebration. I didn’t love being sick for the first half of May or all the stress of end-of-school-year activities. Now that we’re into June, I’m fatigued physically, mentally, spiritually, emotionally. We’ve all been at a place in life when we’re exhausted, but what do we do when we can’t step off life’s merry-go-round in order to rest?
In the middle of last month’s chaos, I couldn’t just withdraw from life. Taking care of my family and myself while preparing to celebrate Peter with family created a hard deadline. I couldn’t tell life to stop and wait a few days.
I’m not a doctor or nutritionist, I’m a mama with a complex family. These tips have helped me deal with exhaustion when life just won’t stop.
What to Do When We’re Exhausted
Spiritual Tips
I say this a lot, but spending time with the Lord is crucial, especially when we’re exhausted. When we take even a few minutes to be with God, He has a way of meeting us and giving us manna for each day.
Meditate on God’s word. It’s amazing how God brings verses across our path right when we need them. When this happens, take a few minutes to really think about what they’re saying and how they apply in the season you’re in. Pray them over yourself and your situation.
Give yourself grace. When we’re dealing with a lot of life and we’re TI-RED, we need to give ourselves grace . . . both in not trying to do everything and in being kind to ourselves when we make a mistake. And especially in not taking on anything new.
11 Tips for How to Cope When We're Exhausted—Give yourself grace. When we’re dealing with a lot of life and we’re TI-RED, we need to give ourselves grace #tellhisstory #exhausted Click To Tweet
Physical Tips
Do what you can to get enough sleep. Most of us know the importance of giving our bodies the opportunity for sleep. Sleep impacts every aspect of who we are. If you can, when you feel tired during the day, take a short (less than thirty minutes) nap.
Choose healthy foods and drinks. Sugar is a quick fix for the taste buds, but it’s a poor substitute for healthy food. Whole foods—vegetables, fruit, good proteins—will fuel our bodies when we’re tired but can’t stop life from spinning on. Staying hydrated also increases our alertness during the day.
Go for a walk, even if it’s short. A change of environment, and sunshine’s Vitamin D can do a lot to refresh a body (and spirit).
Mental Health Tips
Prioritize. Determine the most important things to do in a day and let the others go. Hint: “Most important” doesn’t mean every item on your to-do list. I select three things in a day I would like to get done and order them with a 1, a 2, and a 3. I don’t look at the other twenty-seven items until those three priorities are completed.
Make time to take a break. Even in my busiest days last month, when I recognized that sense of becoming overwhelmed, I gave myself permission to spend a few moments doing something I enjoyed or that relaxed me.
Discover what helps you to feel rested and give yourself permission to spend some time doing those things each day. If you want to learn more about various kinds of rest, read the posts I wrote last autumn about choosing rest. Sometimes life’s demands don’t stop, but those demands are not the boss of us. We can alleviate exhaustion with restfulness.
Ask for help. There’s no shame in either delegating some of your tasks or in asking for help. When life throws a lot at us, it’s easy to feel like we must power through. But, if someone asks how they can help, first say yes. Then give them things to do that will ease your burden.
Most of all, remember God is always with us. Our Father didn’t say he would be with us sometimes, or when the going is easy. He says He’s with us always (take a look at Matthew 28:20) and that He’ll never leave or forsake us (See Hebrews 13:5). Invite him into the season you’re living in. Lean on Him. Rest in Him.
After the Busyness
With graduation is behind us and extended family returned home, I’m still fatigued. It’s going to take time to find my “new groove,” both in the season of having a graduate living at home and in the season of setting up new routines. But, I’m looking forward to slowing life down, easing into a new daily schedule, and focusing on the things that feed my spirit and body.
What about you? What helps you deal with exhaustion when life doesn’t stop? Is there a tip you would add to this list?
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Each week we gather here as storytellers, word weavers, and encouragers to make His name known. Our story is God’s story and this small corner of the blogging world, where we come together each Tuesday, needs you. This is a place where poetry, snapshots, prayers, and stories find a safe spot to nod in agreement that what we have to say matters. I am glad you are here and would love to have you join the #TellHisStory community. Add your own encouraging post through the link below. Spread some love by visiting your neighbor and leaving your own encouragement. Click here to read more about the #TellHisStory community and find a button to add to your site.
Each week we gather here as storytellers, word weavers, and encouragers to make His name known. Our story is God’s story and this small corner of the blogging world, where we come together each Tuesday, needs you. This is a place where poetry, snapshots, prayers, and stories find a safe spot to nod in agreement that what we have to say matters. I am glad you are here and would love to have you join the #TellHisStory community. Add your own encouraging post through the link below. Spread some love by visiting your neighbor and leaving your own encouragement. Click here to read more about the #TellHisStory community and find a button to add to your site.
Such good tips, Jeanne. Sleep and time with the Lord are critical items for me … my whole life suffers when those slide. I love your practice of prioritizing your to-do list and not looking at all of it until the top items are completed. That sounds like a great way to focus. Praying for you to find rest and refreshment in the days ahead, my friend.
I agree, Lois. Sleep and time with Jesus are crucial for me too. Sleep has been a bit hard to come by, but I’m being intentianal about giving myself every opportunity for a good night’s sleep. 🙂 Thanks for your prayers, sweet friend!
2nd blog in a row I’ve read on rest. Think God’s trying to tell me something?
Lauren, guess what? The same thing’s been happening for me May we both choose to rest in the places God leads us to rest in.
These are really helpful tips for when we’re tired, mentally, physically, spiritually! Thank you for taking the time to compile and post them even as you recover from all the busy graduation celebrations! I pray you can put many of these into practice and feel refreshed soon!
Kathy, I’m so glad you found these tips helpful. I’ll take those prayers for refreshment, and yes I’m working through these suggestions to refresh. 🙂
Thank you for this comforting insight, Jeanne. I find, too, that spending time with God and His Word or spending time in His creation reenergizes me and clears the oppressing feeling of overwhelm. I need to work more on giving myself grace and asking for help. I did make a big decision this month to tell the other officers on the condo association board that I need to give up the treasurer’s job. I am getting far too stressed with it and my husband and kids all encouraged me to let it go. I need to focus my limited energy on my family. 🙂 Thank you for sharing feelings that make me feel less alone. Love and blessings of strength and peace for each day to you!
Trudy, I’m proud of you for stepping down from the board. I know there must have been many feelings in carrying out that action. But you honored your family and your Father. When we know where God wants us to focus, it’s easier to say no to those things that aren’t in our viewfinder, so to speak. Blessings and hugs to you, sweet friend!
All good stuff here, Jeanne. Take care of yourself so you can care for that complex family!!! xo
Susan, thanks. Yes, I’m working on taking care of myself so I can care well for my family. 🙂
I’m beginning to think learning how to rest is the message of this hour! We’ve all forgotten how – if we ever knew …
I believe it starts with Sabbath.
Jerralea, I’ve lost track of how many articles, blogs, and devotionals God has brought across my path lately. Though I’ve become more intentional, I have not yet been able to integrate rest as a rhythm of my life. But yes, it’s an important message and we need to learn how to rest and prioritize it. Thank you for adding to the conversation!
Congratulations to your family for having one graduate under your roof now! Our study last night was focused on Galatians 6:2 encouraging us to share our burdens and be there as a community to help others. Asking for help sometimes is the hardest but one of the most important things for us to do to help with our exhausting times. And allows others to be blessed by following God’s law of loving on others. May you be loved on today!
I so resonate with your thoughts here, Lynn. Asking for help requires humility on our part, but oh, how God honors it when we invite others to help with what we’re carrying. You’re right, when we do this, there are blessings all around. 🙂
Jeanne,
All great tips and being in His word is priority #1. When I’m exhausted I need to realize my perspective shifts – often the rose colored glasses get replaced by the grey colored ones. So, I need to remind myself perhaps I’m not seeing things as they really are and agree to take a new look at them when I am better rested.
Blessings,
Bev xx
I agree, Bev. Even when I was sick and there were way more to-dos than time to complete them, I made sure I spent time with Jesus. Like you, exhaustion skews my perspective too. Learning to step back and not make decisions or value judgments or any big changes when tired is a tough discipline, but oh, so needed. Loved your wisdom here!
These are such doable tips that we each can grab and work through on any given day (or night). As life picks up speed again, I feel that it’s taking a toll on all of us. We’ve been through a lot the past year and a half, and we all need to make sure we’re continuing to go easy on ourselves as we readjust. Your advice here is helpful. Thanks, Jeanne.
Lisa, I have to agree about the toll a faster life incurs on us. It’s hard to stay intentional about not getting too busy, committing to too much, or holding unrealistic expectations for ourselves. We do need to continue to go easy on ourselves as we readjust. Thanks for your encouraging words and for stopping by!
I guess that yeah, I’m weary,
didn’t help I wrecked a knee,
but let me say it clearly,
I ain’t gonna send a plea
for God to give me grace of rest,
or make my burdens lighter;
no, I’m gonna pass this test,
and wind me a bit tighter
to force myself with that barbed whip
onward to I know not where,
and though it’s become quite a trip
I no longer mind nor care,
for coming to my final hour
shows God and man my strength, my power.
Andrew, it’s so good to read your words again. You have such a sense of resilience in all that you’re facing. Even when we aren’t dealing with a terminal illness, we face busy times, but usually, those seasons give way to slower times. You don’t get that. I appreciate your determination to go at it with strength. Thank you for sharing your thoughts here!
Jeanne, thank you for sharing from your weakness. We don’t have to do it all, but I know I feel like that sometimes. Excellent advice for every aspect of our being to be able to seek the true rest we need to then be able to serve and enjoy again. Prayers for your energy to return, but at the same time, prayers for you to enjoy this season of rest too!
Donna, I too struggle with wanting to do it all. And yes, rest is essential, especially in the unexpectedly busy seasons of life. Thanks for those prayers, I appreciate them!!
Jeanne, these are all great suggestions! When we’re run down to the point of exhaustion, then we’re no good to anyone. Your tips will help prevent us from getting to that tipping point.
You’re right, Lisa. When we’re so run down, we’re no good to anyone. My hope is to never, even get quite as far gone as I did in May, ever again. 😉
Amen. We need to take care of our mental, physical, and spiritual health. Great message Jeanne.
Thank you, Melissa. yes, we do need to care for each part of who we are, especially in stressful/busy seasons.
These are wonderful, grounding practices. I love walking in every season!
I love walking in every season too, Michele. Even when it’s 25 degrees outside. 😉 Okay, maybe not quite as much then, but I still do it. 🙂
Right! We still do it and that’s what counts!
🙂
I remember how busy May could be with end-of-school-year activities–and then having a graduate increased all of that exponentially. Those were fun and wonderful times, but so busy. These are great tips. One that helped me was to do as much as I could ahead of time. And though I like to make food from scratch, store-bought items are a big help when it’s busy and/or you have a lot of people on hand.
Barbara, I so appreciate your tip, and it’s one I did but forgot to mention. I had a very long to-do list I worked from to help me stay on track and to reduce stress. PLanning ahead and not insisting on making everything from scratch (which is my MO too), is a great suggestion!
I’m finding myself completely drained. For the first time in 22 or so years I haven’t been able to read the Bible through. I’ve found myself weeping and holding my, unable to believe it’s written for me. God is so tender though, and He leads us gently. I’m learning to give myself grace, permission to rest, and being honest about what’s going on instead of trying to suck it up and keep moving.
I’ve spent most of the past 3 weeks reading, listening to audiobooks, sunning like a lizard, and just thinking.
I needed to stop and just BE. Wallowing in Jesus and allowing the warmth of love and acceptance from Him heal my fractured self. ❤️
Dalyn, it’s crazy how exhaustion can fuel discouragement and disheartenment, isn’t it? I’m with you, so thankful for God’s tenderness toward us and His gentle leading. I have trouble giving myself grace too, but this season has been a teacher in learning to do this better. I so appreciate you sharing your heart and what you’ve been doing to replenish. I think I’m going to follow your lead in some of the steps you’ve taken, especially in just BEing.
❤️ being a mom is rough.
Truth! I know you know, friend.