Lethargic
I’m feeling lethargic. Let’s see… Am I experiencing overload? (Perhaps.) Maybe I’m avoiding feelings I don’t want to feel. (I have felt that before, but that doesn’t seem to be it today.) On the mind-body connection front, I’ve negligent on the hydration front. (This could be a factor.) Am I separated from my purpose or joy? (Recently, life called me to redirect my energy. Meaning is still present in my life.) Or, is this lethargy a healthy response to life’s demands? (Maybe.)
Hmmm. It looks like I may have a winner—a smidgen of overload, mixed with thirst, and a side of life demands. Hello lethargy! Thanks for stepping in.
Some Ideas about Lethargy
Do you ever feel lethargic? As I continue exploring negative emotions, some new ideas are coming to light. Did you know:
- When your body and/or mind experiences overload, your nervous system can instigate lethargy to say, “I’m maxed out.” That sounds like an invitation to slow down, look at commitments, and discover ways to restore internal energy.
- Instead of avoiding feelings such as grief, fear, or even shame, try noticing them and gently turn toward them. This can help lethargy loosen up.
- Sleeplessness, dehydration, and lack of movement can contribute to feeling lethargic. This leads me to understand that what feels emotional is actually physical. (Can’t our emotions be a little more straightforward? Ugh!)
- If everything feels like work, try something meaningful and enjoyable.
Life demands sometimes invite us to find creative ways to keep rest in the mix. Ask yourself, “What does true rest look like right now?” Our imaginations and instincts have deeper, more lasting renewal ideas just waiting for some air time.
Lethargy is not as ugly as it might first appear. Before I harnessed the gumption to put these ideas into words, I was feeling lethargic. (I looked around for creative ways to procrastinate.) When I dug in to understand more about where this feeling was signaling for me, I discovered ways to nurture myself before I let ol’ lethargy consume me.
Negative emotions are things we often run away from and don’t want to talk about; I get it. Next time you feel something negative, exercise some grace with yourself. Maybe your feelings are misguided physical cues, or maybe something is out of whack in your life and it’s looking for some attention!
Explore more feelings in the Stayin’ in Touch – Negative Emotions book. You can play with them when or wherever you like.
