Energy - feeling tired all the time

[Alex]

Do any of you have any experiences with feeling that you generally have less energy than others and that at times you feel tired all the time. I am sure a lot of this comes down to nutrition, stress, lack of exercise, bad sleeping patterns etc, but if you factor out those factors, I think it is fair to assume that introverts just get tired more easily than extroverts. Say, if I have been traveling and even if I am just away one day I feel I need 1 day to recover to feel that 'I am myself again'(even if the trip was not particularly grueling).

Other examples are if I come home from work I can feel incredibly tired and the last thing I want to do is go out and sozialize - and sometimes when I have a day off the thought of 'going out and exploring the world' doesn't seem near as attractive or exciting(actually,  it seems like something which will wear me out) than staying in and say reading, surfing on the internet or watching tv or a good movie. Hence I am sure one reason why introverts are often labeled 'boring' by extroverts, a lot of it just comes down to having a lot less energy(not to say that say having a deep thought comes across as a lot more rewarding say than a physical sensation that is gained by say whitewater rafting)

Anyhow, Since, I've begun for some years to pay more attention to the 'physical' factors of what contributes to fatigue, I can only conclude my fatigue is caused by psychological factors, eg. like sensory overload, but which ultimately leaves me with the same effects of a feeling of physical fatigue. To quote Elaine Aaron we all need some kind of 'stress' in our life, but it has to fall within the middle of a 'Stress  continuum'. Either too much or too little stress becomes unbearable. Being introverted(and sensitive) my stress barometer is a lot more finetuned than that of extroverts, so I can honestly say I am virtually never bored - I can always find something interesting to do that will put me in the 'middle continuum'. Like, say if I need some 'stimulation', I am perfectly fine going to the Mall or research some topic on the internet which will then have kept me plenty entertained for the rest of they day - but say after that, somebody wants to go out and socialize I get a feeling of sensory overload - you can say I've had my 'fill' for the day.

Now, to sum this up, I am perfectly fine and happy being both introverted and sensitive. I don't think I need to come out of any shell, because frankly I do not find socializing as rewarding as extroverts do - However, I find the feelings of fatigue even after 'small excursions' debilitating(something than an extrovert would not bat an eye at) and I am wondering if from an introvert perspective something can be done to combat this feeling of constant(or becoming very easily) fatigue. My normal cure is just allowing myself(actually pampering) complete solitude and quiet, but I am wondering if there are any other approaches. I am doubting that just forcing yourself to become more stressed only will work to some extent, because I don't think it will be very effective going against your nature. However, on the other hand I think diligently avoiding stressful situations on the other hand just increases the feelings of stress when exposed to stressful situations - so, maybe something in the middle will work

Any suggestions, ideas, thoughts?

[lindyloner]

YES i feel that ALL the times, the solution is i dont get around people as much as i used to but without being rude to them.

[Charlie]

Alex,

I feel tired all the time.  Sleep is the great escape.  My drug of choice. 

The only stress that I enjoy is a good conversation with someone who I admire. 

The majority of the stress I encounter would kill me if I let it. 

I've recently taken to hikes in the wilderness to detoxify myself and then a good long nap.

[blogster]

absolutely.  i fought against this for a long time, feeling inadeuate vis a vis extroverts around me who managed to do four social events on a weekend. just last week someone i know from work went out for after works drinks on friday night, went to lady ga ga concert on saturday, went to the beach sunday morning and then fitted something else in sunday afternoon (gets me exhausted just thinking about it!)!!!

not sure if you've read marti's book, but the best thing is to schedule say one social event a week (day) and maximise what you get out of it.  if you still want to keep those connections with important people going, structure any social interaction to ensure this is the case, i.e., "get bang for your buck".

It means ensuring your social skills are high quality so that you get the same outcomes from the limited time you have.

[Alex]

@blogster - Yes, I am amazed at the amount of energy extroverts have. I recall once going to a party that ended say at 0200 AM where upon somebody who didn't find this stimulating enough then decided to go clubbing(I couldn't believe it)...As has been often said, extroverts wither when alone and when there is no activity - and undoubtedly one reason they have all this energy is that the activity in itself energizes them(which baffles me) where as with an introvert you are drained.

The example of your acquaintance doing all these things in one weekend is a good example of this amazing amount of energy, but even if many(and of course not all) extroverts feel sorry and somewhat contemptous of our quiet lives, I on the other hand also feel a bit sorry for them. To me it seems like ordinary tasks like going to work to them is a chore. Life begins and apparently is only worth living on weekends - and also it appears like the reason for this flurry of activity is that they simply don't like to be alone - their own company is not enjoyable - they simply have to be around other people to feel at ease.

And btw, thanks for your tips. I agree with you this is the way forward

[agreenbough]

Charlie, ha ha - sleep is my drug of choice, too! My extrovert husband has claimed for years that sleeping late on weekends is a sign of depression. But I look forward to days I can sleep in the same way others look forward to a "big event". I've even wondered at times if I was lazy because I have to take frequent breaks when I do housework. For one thing, it is tiring, but it's also BORING.
It's also one reason I limit my time with people  - I know all that small talk is going to take more out of than I have to give. I stay away from my one neighbor because she can literally talk for hours, and I can't take it. I'm walking around like a zombie from lack of energy most of the time anyway, and I don't want to waste what little I have on a clueless chatterbox!

[shelby]

I have always pushed myself to achieve and go and be active, but then I crash big time. I describe to my extravert husband that on a scale of 1-10, his energy level is always at about 9, while mine is naturally around 5. I end up feeling bad about myself a lot because part of my life feels stilted and unchallenged and I know vaguely that I want something more, but that I need more energy to accomplish all my goals - but the energy is just not there. I find myself envying extraverts sometimes and wishing I could be that way so I could get more out of life. I guess my often low energy is a major cause of my often low self-esteem - I'm always pushing to be someone I"m not and I know that's not a healthy way to live. I guess I'll have to work at it some more.....

[Tripod]

I have always pushed myself to achieve and go and be active, but then I crash big time. I describe to my extravert husband that on a scale of 1-10, his energy level is always at about 9, while mine is naturally around 5. I end up feeling bad about myself a lot because part of my life feels stilted and unchallenged and I know vaguely that I want something more, but that I need more energy to accomplish all my goals - but the energy is just not there. I find myself envying extraverts sometimes and wishing I could be that way so I could get more out of life. I guess my often low energy is a major cause of my often low self-esteem - I'm always pushing to be someone I"m not and I know that's not a healthy way to live. I guess I'll have to work at it some more.....

That is exactly how I feel. I want to do things, but I don't have the energy to get through all the things I need/want to.

[JanZ]

Alex,

I can completely relate to what you are saying.  Work can drain me and having some place I have to go in the evening can exhaust me and make the next day at work very difficult.  An enjoyable day to me is staying home and reading a book.  I'm sure my coworkers think I'm very boring.  Friday afternoons are spent discussing exciting weekend plans and Monday mornings are spent talking about the weekend activities.  Needless to say I don't contribute much.

When I was younger I went out a lot and felt guilty if I stayed home and relaxed.  I had some fun times and some times when I wondered why I hadn't just stayed home.  But I think I had more energy when I was younger.

And, white water rafting is fun.  You don't have to talk much, just paddle.  I find that most people who enjoy the outdoors are okay with quiet or discussing and learning more about the current activity.  I don't find a hike with a group as exhausting as a night out at a bar or sporting event.

Jan

[newmom2008]

I've been told the low energy is attributed to some low-level depression. I don't know. I have had less energy most of my life. I've never been one of these people to bounce out of bed in the morning.

[Alex]

I've been told the low energy is attributed to some low-level depression. I don't know. I have had less energy most of my life. I've never been one of these people to bounce out of bed in the morning.

It can be lowlevel depression or it could be that introverts just don't get the same kind of intrinsic enjoyment out of these activities. For example being physically active or socializing is something that makes extroverts come to life, but introverts on the other hand are more interested in cerebral activities, eg. like reading a good book,having a good discussion or just thinking something over - I remember being at parties and just thinking to myself I'd much rather be at home doing my own thing - I am sure this is why introverts are labelled party poopers - the profound lack of interest shines through.

[blogster]

Absolutely.

I eat a clean diet - fruit, vegetables,  moderate levels of complex carbs, no high GI foods, drink lots of tea and water.  Over the course of the year only 2% of my meals are 'unclean'.

However, 9/10 days i come home from work feeling exhausted.  If I don't get to bed by 9.30pm, I am incredibly lethargic. 

Those days at the office where there is minimal noise and people around, I feel energised and refreshed.

These days I avoid watching Tv if i can as i feel it drains my energy.

[agreenbough]

I never made the connection til now, but, as Shelby mentioned, maybe it's the constant pressure I feel to be someone I'm not that is part of why I'm always so tired.... It takes a boat load of energy to be "on" when I'd rather be alone.
Feeling just as tired when I get up in the morning as I was when I went to bed is the norm for me. I get up feeling refreshed about twice a month.

[hunnie]

I never made the connection til now, but, as Shelby mentioned, maybe it's the constant pressure I feel to be someone I'm not that is part of why I'm always so tired.... It takes a boat load of energy to be "on" when I'd rather be alone.
Feeling just as tired when I get up in the morning as I was when I went to bed is the norm for me. I get up feeling refreshed about twice a month.

That sounds like me, probably feeling more tired when i get up than when i went to bed, and i definately need more hours sleep than my husband does, i think he thinks i sleep too much,but i really do need it.

We bought a house that needed alot of work 3 months ago, and have worked on it every day for those 3 months, ive felt absolutely shattered.This weekend i said it would be nice to have a break, but my husband said he felt like he needed to keep doing stuff, i just wanted to sit in the garden with my book, but that left me feeling lazy then.

Ive felt so tired in the past ive gone for blood tests thinking theres something medically wrong with me, but im fine!

[Scylla]

Do any of you have any experiences with feeling that you generally have less energy than others and that at times you feel tired all the time.

Any suggestions, ideas, thoughts?

Hi Alex: I don't know if you'll see this reply since the topic is older, but...

Besides being an introvert I have MS. The energy issues are nearly identical. Being around people exhausts me (even tho I sometimes enjoy it). We  just had house guests (cousins that we love) for 2 weeks, and I feel like I have an alcohol hangover...tired, headachy, anxious, irritable, etc. Totally out of sorts . Luckily I now have 3 days totally alone to sleep in, have total quiet (no TV, no other human contact) to recover. I try to be very choosy about human contact since I pay such a high price for it.

In trying to deal with MS I think I've learned some things about energy that apply to our introvert energy management problems. For what they are worth, these things work for me:
I take 2000IUs of vitamin D3 every day. "Innies" don't get enough sun. D helps natural sleep patterns, calcium absorbtion etc. I sleep much more soundly and am more rested.
I take 1000 Mg of L-tryptophan at bedtime. Helps stop the brain continuing to chatter, which improves sleep.
I make sure I get adequate, high quality protein every day (high potency B-complex if you don't want to eat animal products).
I drink at least 4 glasses of water daily.
EXERCIZE is key. I was lap swimming for 40 minutes, 3X per week. Lap swimming is ideal because people don't try to visit in the lap pool! We moved away from a good pool, so now I use an eliptical trainer at home for 12-30 minutes a day. This makes an enormous difference to my mental state and energy levels ALL DAY.
Limited contact with other extraneous human beings.