Alice in Lethargy Land
“Some days I feel like I’ve totally got this and some days I want to cry the whole way through.”
Can you relate to this statement?
There is a perfectly good reason and remedy for this, and I think it’s essential (and long overdo) that women and people with periods finally understand why.
When we don’t, we feel like there is something wrong with us. Or we feel hopeless that we’ll never be able stay on top of life. Both statements are not true and not good for our mental health.
This client is generously allowing me to use her as an example to help other women like her:
Things important to know: She is a full-time working mother of two young boys. She has the Mirena IUD.
Her main complaint was lethargy/lack of motivation.
Alice has been going non-stop since the birth of her children. Pushing through her energy reserves, because quite frankly, she has to. That has, over time, taken a toll on her body’s innate energy reserves and adrenal function (Kidney Qi).
She cooks healthy food, and knows how to eat well, but doesn’t have time to slow down enough to properly eat and digest her food. She sometimes skips meals to get what she needs to get done, which disrupts her blood sugar and puts more strain on her adrenal function (Kidney Qi). This makes it so she is liable to snack on her kid’s snacks and processed foods in the afternoon, searching for energy. All of this has put strain on her digestive system, making it harder for her to break down and absorb nutrients from her food (Spleen Qi and Blood Deficiency). We see that present on her tongue: which is swollen and pale with the beginning stages of what we call Dampness (signs of candida or bacterial overgrowth). All of which will make someone feel sluggish and lethargic.
Because of the Mirena IUD, she does not have a period, and therefore she is not in-tune with the natural hormonal shifts in her cycle. The Mirena IUD is one of the better forms of birth control for women because most can still ovulate and cycle (which provides many benefits to women’s health), but the progestin in the IUD prevents the lining from building, and therefore she does not have a period.
When Alice feels like a superhero, i.e. “I’ve totally got this”, she is most likely in the ovulation phase of her cycle. This is a time when her energy and hormones are supporting her ability to get all things done, let things roll off of her shoulders, and put other’s needs in front of her own (aka things “good mothers” do).
Days when she wants to “cry the whole way through” is most likely the premenstrual phase in her cycle. This is a time when her body is naturally protecting its energy (for good reason!). In this phase it is essential for her health to protect her energy levels by not forcing herself to be the superhero she feels like she needs to be. She needs to practice her good boundaries, let some things be undone, and do more to tend to her own needs.
If she understands why she feels this way, it becomes more acceptable. She can start to preserve her energy when she is feeling overwhelmed, knowing this is important at the moment and won’t last forever.
She can also support her adrenal health (Kidney Qi) by taking an herbal adaptogen supplement, and her digestive health (Spleen Qi) by taking a traditional Chinese medicine formula and a full spectrum probiotic. This will give her the support she needs so the tired days are not as tired and the premenstrual days are easier to handle.
In my consultation with Alice, it was quite obvious to me that she is too critical on herself for not always being able to do it all or handle it all. When the voice in her head is criticizing herself throughout the day, that is also a huge drain of her energy. It not only depletes her energy, but takes unnecessary joy out of life.
This is a simplified version of my recommendations to her in order to improve her energy and motivation:
Take care of Kidney and Spleen Qi:
Supplements: An herbal adaptogen that fits her pattern of disharmony, a digestive support formula, and a full-spectrum probiotic.
Activity: Get in tune with your natural cycle by learning how to cycle sync. Write down a few words about how you felt at the end of your day (mood, energy and any other random body symptoms) on your moon cycle chart. After 1-2 months, you will see a pattern and be able to anticipate your needs.
Digestion: Prioritize regular meal times and do your best to slow down when it’s time to eat.
Reduce stress/overwhelm by:
Becoming more aware of your inner voice. When you hear yourself being harsh or critical, choose a loving, supportive narrative instead.
Give yourself a break during your premenstrual phase and prioritize your needs a little more.
Think of the activities you do with your family that also bring you peace and joy & prioritize those.
Try your best to be present with what you’re doing when you’re doing it. Don’t try to always do everything at once, or spend too much time in the future or the past. Keep your mind focused on the task at hand. If you’re cooking, just enjoy cooking as much as you can.
Other than writing down a few words at the end of her day, this Care Plan doesn’t add any more time to her already too busy schedule. It will provide her the relief that she is craving, and also holds the potential for her to form a deeper bond with herself than she thought possible.
*the client’s name has been changed
You will need:
A clean, medium-sized glass jar with an airtight lid
100g or ½ cup of baking soda
100g or ½ cup arrowroot powder
5-6 Tbsp. Coconut oil (melted and cooled)
10-20 drops of essential oil of choice
A whisk or Kitchenaid to stir
My chosen blend of essential oils:
8 drops of Tea Tee Oil- antibacterial, antifungal, disinfectant
6 drops of Lavender Oil-antibacterial, antifungal, anti-inflammatory, calming
6 drops of Cedarwood Oil-antifungal, anti-inflammatory, increases focus
(cedarwood oil is not recommended if you are pregnant — it also makes for a bit more “masculine” smell, which I enjoy)
Directions:
1. In a medium sized bowel, mix the baking soda and arrowroot powder well.
2. Wisk in the coconut oil until a soft paste begins to form.
3. Add 10-20 drops of your essential oil of choice and continue to mix until blended.
4. Transfer to your glass jar and place the lid on top.
To use:
Scoop about a dime-sized amount of your deodorant out of the jar and rub it in your hand to warm slightly. Then, place a thin layer of your deodorant onto your underarms.
Some recipes recommend reducing the amount of baking soda if you have very sensitive underarm skin.
Other essential oils you could choose from:
Grapefruit Oil-antibacterial, antiseptic
Eucalyptus Oil-antibacterial, antifungal, anti-inflammatory
Neroli Oil-antifungal, anti-depressant
Palmarosa Oil-antibacterial, antifungal
Patchouli Oil-anti-inflammatory, antifungal
It’s a good idea to test your essential oils on your skin before adding them to your deodorant. Dilute your essential oil of choice in a carrier oil such as coconut or jojoba and apply to your skin. Wait for 24 hours to see if you have any irritation or reaction.
When it comes to essential oils, more is not better. Too many drops of oil in your deodorant can irritate your skin even if you don’t have an allergy. Some essential oils, such as lavender have a mild estrogenic effect, which can also be endocrine disrupting in very large doses.
*information on the essential oils mainly comes from “Meteria Medica of Essential Oils (Based on a Chinese Medical Perspective) by Jeffrey C. Yuen.
