Moving can be a stressful time for even the most healthy individuals. Unfortunately, stress causes fatigue which in turn causes more stress, so a vicious cycle begins. To end this cycle, you must limit and treat the stress and get plenty of rest.
If moving is causing your mental health and sleep rhythm to unravel, keep reading to find out how you can fight these symptoms.
Use Cannabis
Stress depletes the endocannabinoid system, resulting in the dysregulation of energy levels, inflammation response, pain, anxiety, and stress. When these systems are not working correctly, our entire body’s functioning can be thrown off without warning.
Using cannabis is the best way to keep our endocannabinoid system in check during stressful times. If you are not a fan of marijuana’s psychoactive effects, you can use THC products like CBD bath bombs or oils and still receive the same benefits.
Depending on where you are moving, you may need an MMJ card. How you obtain a card may also vary according to state. For example, New Jersey medical marijuana program information is vastly different than Kansas MMJ information because Kansas has yet to legalize the medication. However, you can find doctors and apply for your card online if you are in a legal state.
Visit a Mental Health Specialist
Stress also causes imbalances in the neurotransmitters responsible for positive moods like dopamine and serotonin. Therefore, when we begin to stress, feelings of depression, anxiety, and other mood issues may follow, which lead to fatigue.
Additionally, stress can cause GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid) resistance. GABA is a neurotransmitter that helps the body relax. Without sufficient GABA, your body can become stressed and tired.
The best way to regulate your neurotransmitters is by speaking to a mental health specialist like a psychologist or therapist. These professionals can help you cope with your feelings and prescribe medications that rebalance these hormone irregularities.
Change your Diet
Stress directly affects the body’s thyroid function and secretion of fight or flight response hormones called cortisol and adrenaline. Deregulation of these functions causes the body to feel tired and causes other stressful symptoms like anxiety, weight gain, and hair loss.
Luckily, what you eat significantly affects how your thyroid and fight or flight functioning react in stressful situations.
Some foods to add to your diet would be:
- Poultry
- Coconut/coconut oil
- Seaweed
- Fish/shellfish
- Leafy greens
- Apples
- Cashews & Walnuts
- Garlic
Foods to avoid would be:
- Avoid GMO grains
- Soda
- Chocolate
- Broccoli
- Strawberries
- Corn
- Bacon
- Bread
- Cereal
The list of foods to avoid may be stressful on its own, but simply decreasing the intake of these foods can be helpful. If you feel that your thyroid, cortisol, or adrenaline functioning is not temporary, speak to your doctor as it may signify a more extensive problem than a stressful move.
Here is more information on how stress is related to these hormonal imbalances.
Go Outside
Stress causes symptoms like memory issues, depression, high blood pressure, lack of appetite, headache, muscle tension, and nausea which all cause fatigue.
You may be surprised to learn that the outdoors can help with all these symptoms resulting in lower stress and fatigue.
Memory- Stress causes “mental fatigue,” and when you take a walk outside, you allow your mind to unwind and regain your cognitive ability.
Depression- Bright light sends signals to the brain, letting it know it’s time to be awake and alert, which boosts serotonin levels (the happy hormone).
High blood pressure & pain- Studies show that sun exposure decreases blood pressure by %2-11 for about an hour at a time and increases blood flow by about %65-70. Additionally, increased blood flow reduces pain and muscle tension.
Lack of appetite/nausea- Nausea often leads to loss of appetite, and getting fresh air is usually the best way to cure those symptoms.
Conclusion
When moving, the transfer of your belongings is physically taxing, leaving your loved ones can cause low moods, and starting a new job can bring anxiety.
The stress of moving can cause fatigue; therefore, it is crucial to manage your stress levels as much as possible to avoid low energy levels in addition to other negative symptoms.
You can reduce fatigue and stress by using cannabis, seeking professional help, changing your diet, and spending some time outdoors.
