We’ve all had those days. Everything seems too much effort, even things we enjoy or know we have to do. Lethargic phone-scrolling is about as good as it’s going to get. Usually, these days pass, often thanks to something as simple as a better night’s sleep or a nice meal.
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But sometimes apathy hangs around, and the can’t-be-bothered feeling won’t go away. What does this mean, and what can we do to get our energy back?
Feeling tired and unable to concentrate are symptoms of depression, anxiety and low mood. These feelings don’t necessarily mean you are experiencing any of these conditions – as I said, we all have off-days – but if these moods linger, it’s worth examining them further so we know how best to overcome them.
Do I Have Depression, Anxiety or Low Mood?
A question I’m often asked is “what’s the difference between anxiety and depression?” Broadly, depression is a single condition while anxiety is more of an umbrella term for a range of conditions (including generalised anxiety disorder, stress and phobias).
Losing interest in activities is a key sign of depression. Generally, if you have been experiencing these feelings for more than two weeks, it’s depression rather than low mood. If this is the case, please seek help – there’s plenty of support out there (including people like me), and psychological therapies can make a huge difference. Your GP might prescribe antidepressant medicine alongside therapy.
Low mood has similar symptoms, and a lack of energy and enthusiasm for activities and interests is one of them. Low mood usually passes after a few days, and there are generally plenty of things you can do to help it go. Exercise, more and better sleep, a change of diet or a change of scene can all help to lift the spirits if you’re experiencing low mood. Lockdown caused a spike in feelings of low mood, and a lot of the advisory articles this year focus on trying to establish a routine in the midst of uncertainty, to support our general mental health.
Anxiety is characterised by excessive worry on most days, which you are unable to control. It’s possible, indeed common, to have both anxiety and depression, which is a difficult double-whammy of being both low and permanently anxious with the two feelings feeding off each other. Talking therapies such as solution focused hypnotherapy make a real and lasting difference to people with anxiety.
How Can I Get My Energy Back?
If you think you’re experiencing low mood rather than depression, start by reintroducing routine and self-care, as we mentioned earlier. Go for a walk, watch a feel-good movie, make pancakes with the kids. Silly, little things that make you smile. You may have to force yourself at first, but picking up that book, planting those herbs, putting on your running shoes – you’ll feel so much better for taking action.
However, if your low feelings have been around for a while, and thought of activity feels like a physical weight on you, please speak to your GP or therapist. You too will get your energy back – it may just take more time and need some positive intervention.
Likewise, if your tiredness is linked with anxious and worried feelings, seek support to help you overcome your anxiety. Solution focused therapies encourage you to focus on your preferred future and create steps to get there. Again, exercise, routine, self-care and conscious relaxation techniques can help support this.
I’m writing this in August 2020, so naturally, the COVID-19 pandemic has affected many people’s emotional health. Adrenaline increases during times of uncertainty, so our brains are set to fight-or-flight mode every single day. Change in routine, more time at home, missing family, friends and colleagues, health worries, financial worries, taking on new roles… It’s a lot to wrap our heads around, and it’s no wonder we’re feeling low, anxious and/or tired. Just because it’s a situational anxiety or low mood, it doesn’t mean you can’t seek help to support you during times of upheaval.
How can hypnotherapy help me?
Therapy can help treat the symptoms of depression and anxiety, and encourage you to move towards a new, positive future. Early talking therapy interventions can prevent low mood from developing further, and help keep you on track emotionally. If you feel like you have no energy or motivation, or simply feel like you can’t be bothered, please call me for a confidential chat – I can help.
I’m Debbie Daltrey, the founder of Great Minds Clinic and an Anxiety UK Approved Therapist. I am a solution focused hypnotherapist and a BACP Registered Counsellor. I’m a senior lecturer in hypnotherapy and I supervise other hypnotherapists. I run online hypnotherapy sessions for clients locally, UK, and across the World for English-speaking people. Why not book your free initial consultation?