Are you one of those people that can never get enough sleep? Or do you get by with minimal sleep? I am one of the former. I get roughly 8 hours a night typically and it never really seems like enough. I was on vacation last week and had the wonderful luxury of not having to set an alarm all week. I went to bed between 9 and 9:30 and didn't wake up until after 6 most days, a couple of days I was asleep until 7! For the most part, I could nap when I wanted to and had minimal stress. Unfortunately, in the "real-world" I need to set an alarm and can only seem to find time for 8 hours a night. So I'm tired a lot, but most especially tired these first few days of sugar detox. I definitely use sugar for the energy it provides. Mid-afternoon, when what I really want is a nap, I have to sit at my desk and work, so sugar is often a quick energy boost. Of course the boost doesn't last long and I subsequently crash, but it seems like it works, so I do it repeatedly.
But it's not just mid-afternoon that sugar affects me. Waking up in the morning I don't have the full energy I need for the day because I have habitually over-taxed my adrenals, leading to what is known as adrenal fatigue. Chronic stress and poor diet (as is common among those who abuse sugar), leads to high baseline levels of stress hormones produced by the adrenal glands. Over time, the adrenals can't keep up with demand and you are left feeling fatigued. A healthy diet and regular meditation practice will go a long way toward restoring adrenal health. But, as with any biological process, it takes time. And in the meantime, I don't want to use coffee or other artificial stimulants for energy, so I am just tired for a while. I give myself extra rest and sleep where I can, and just hold on tight, knowing it will get better.
Cravings-wise, yesterday was harder than day 1. I was feeling sorry for myself and had several urges to give up. Those darn Kit-Kats finally went away by the late afternoon so hopefully today won't be as hard.
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