A lot, too much free time, but no desire to use it profitably. Here’s how to reattach the energy plug
A life to tell us that if we had time for ourselves we would have studied a foreign language or we would have brought out the guitar. Discussions with friends when there was still no coronavirus to convince them that if we had time we would have dedicated ourselves to physical activity. Now that we are locked in the house, many of us do nothing. Of course, there are those who are working in smart working, but there are also many people on layoffs or forced holidays. In short, time, at least for most Italians, is no longer a problem. Despite this, a growing number of compatriots hang around the house all day. Watch TV or series on internet platforms until late at night, to wake up when the sun is already high. Our habits have completely disappeared. But why are we always tired and listless if all in all we do much less than before?
Always tired and listless: the concept of sleep inertia
In reality, doctors agree with an old adage from our grandmothers, according to which the less we do, the less we want to do. The reasons are different. The main ones are:
These reasons always apply, but it is not clear why the number of people who feel fatigued and listless during the lockdown for coronavirus is increasing.
Always tired and listless: what are the reasons?
In the case of quarantine, the first reason could be the least exposure to sunlight. With the limitations that we suffer, such as going out only for proven health or work needs, and the ban on walking or outdoor physical activity, the time we spend outdoors has dropped significantly. There is much research showing that this has a profoundly negative impact on our psychological well-being.
The role of melatonin
When we are about to fall asleep our body releases melatonin, the hormone that allows us to rest. Melatonin production decreases with sunlight. By staying locked in the house and not going out to work or school as we did before the pandemic, melatonin levels remain high and therefore we feel tired already shortly after waking up. Outdoor light is thousands of times more powerful than artificial light.
The anxiety effect
Another aspect to consider is the effect of anxiety on the quality of our rest. Worries linked to one’s own health and that of loved ones, combined with economic and work health, it weighs heavily on the quality of our rest. Anxiety mainly affects deep sleep, the most restful one. The consequence is that we will not have energy to spend during the day.
In short, to remain in the field of idioms, it is the dog that bites its tail. We have little energy, we sleep badly, we don’t do sports that could help us feel better and we are pushed to eat badly, another habit that takes away energy.
Always tired and listless: what do the experts recommend?
Give yourself rules
The first expert tip is to create a routine even if we are indoors. Easier for those in smartworking, more complicated for others. However you have to respect the times: go to bed and always wake up at the usual time. Staying longer than usual in bed takes away energy. No rest during the day if we don’t sleep well at night. The reason is intuitive: if we sleep during the day, we will continue to sleep badly at night.
Expose yourself to sunlight in the morning, just a window
The second tip is about exposure to sunlight. Experts recommend that if we have to go out to go shopping, better do it in the morning. A light bath can give us a lot of energy to face the day. Who has a balcony or rather a terrace or a garden, take advantage of it. But a window illuminated by the sun’s rays is also enough. We remain seated, perhaps even without covering ourselves too much to even fill up on vitamin D. It can also take 20 minutes.
In the evening, create a relaxing situation
You have to be careful even in the evening. We must create a relaxing environment before going to sleep. a bit like doing with small children when we want to put them to sleep. Reading a book, taking a bath or a hot shower, meditating are all activities that can improve the quality of our sleep.
Of course we must turn off all electronic devices, cell phones and computers in the first place.
