Alexa play “Summertime Blues by Alan Jackson”
Holy moly why am I so tired in the summer? Lucky for us the days of going to work in the dark and leaving in the dark are over. Montanans see roughly 7 more hours of daylight this time of year as opposed to the 9-ish hours in total we see in January. All the extra daylight brings more opportunity to fit more adventures in your day. All that to say, you may feel a little more lethargic, moody or run down; you don’t have to just stick it out for the season. There are many things we can do to feel more rested and ready to take on the day. Prioritizing a good night time routine as well as consistent bed time and wake time can help to regulate your circadian rhythm and melatonin production even if you may be getting a little less Z’s.
With the temperature warming up, remember to find some shade to give your body a break on those hot sunny days. When our body temperature rises it causes our body to produce and utilize more energy which can contribute to that lethargy you may experience. Being conscious of fueling your body properly to support it. Prioritizing drinking plenty of water and eating less dense and sugary foods can help to stave off some of the unwanted fatigue. Most importantly, in my humble opinion, get your nervous system checked; the proof is in the pudding.
A 4-week study of 76 people aimed to evaluate the neuroplastic alterations that occur from chiropractic adjustments. Not only did the participants see an increase in the length of the light sleep stage of the sleep cycle, there was also significant improvements in patient reported quality of life as well as feelings of anxiety, depression, fatigue, pain, and intensity of pain. The simple action of committing to routine checkups and incorporating these small actions can help boost your energy and mood, helping you get the most out of this summer.
Haavik, H., Niazi, I. K., Amjad, I., Kumari, N., Ghani, U., Ashfaque, M., Rashid, U., Navid, M. S., Kamavuako, E. N., Pujari, A. N., & Holt, K. (2024). Neuroplastic responses to chiropractic care: Broad impacts on pain, mood, sleep, and quality of life. Brain Sciences, 14(11), 1124. https://doi.org/10.3390/brainsci14111124
