6 minute read

FEELING EXHAUSTED?

from 15 September - Metropol Magazine

from 15 September - Metropol Magazine, page 52

TOP WAYS TO EAT OYSTERS

If you have been struggling with fatigue - you defi nitely aren’t alone. Figuring out what is causing fatigue is important, perhaps it is burnout or Long-Covid? With a similar list of symptoms, it may be hard to tell.

LONG-COVID

While there is still limited research and evidence into Long-Covid, there are a few things health professionals can tell us. Although it’s got a di erent name, ‘Long-Covid’ seems to be presenting similarly to something that has been seen in clinical practise for years - Post-Viral Fatigue.

LONG-COVID SYMPTOMS CAN INCLUDE:

• Fatigue or extreme tiredness • Cough • Breathlessness • Joint or muscle pain • Chest pain • Headache or dizziness • Brain Fog/Memory di culties • Sleep and mood disturbances

BURNOUT

Burnout is defi ned as a state of emotional, physical, and mental exhaustion caused by excessive and prolonged stress. From this defi nition, it is simple to see what might be happening and causing such increased rates of fatigue. Take the last few years of extreme unprecedented stress, and add the fact that we’ve gone from social isolation to trying to live a ‘normal’ life that is still not quite normal. As well as that, most of us have now su ered Covid-19. Together these have created the perfect recipe for burnout.

SO, WHAT CAN YOU DO?

If possible, identify what is draining you the most, this could include: physical (exercise), cognitive (work or study), emotional (anxiety triggers), or social (parties or events). Women’s health expert Ashleigh Mason says, “Pacing is a strategy used to reduce the overall load on the nervous system. “Think of it as spreading your available energy, much like how a marathon runner would pace themselves in order to be able to complete the race. Once you identify which load (or loads, plural) is draining the most of your energy, you can put some things in place to help you feel better. “This might look like reducing high-intensity exercise and opting for some calming yoga. Other load softening tools might need to include reducing work hours or projects, or spacing out your social interactions a little more and scheduling more me-time.” Whether it is Long-Covid or burnout that is triggering your fatigue, the great news is that it’s treatable. Ashleigh says, “The tough love news is that many of us are currently trying to function at a rate that frankly, is just unsustainable. “Ask yourself what it is that you’re feeling, and what it is that you need. Then give yourself permission to do the thing; be that rest, to slow down, or to ask for help. Know that professional support is out there too.”

Wellbeing centre one year on

Of all the things to do in a Global Pandemic, opening a Wellbeing Centre was what fi ve amazing women did. Tanya, Mel, Victoria, Greta and Keishana refl ect on the journey so far.

“W ellbeing was at the forefront of people’s minds and was the very thing they needed to get them through the pandemic,” says Tanya. Mel agrees, “The community has experienced considerable stressful events in the past decade, the current pandemic continued to impact our wellbeing.” The journey started one year ago and since then, the focus has been how to deal with the ever changing pandemic landscape. “The changing tides of people being unwell, our teachers and clinical team have been impacted as well as our community,” says Mel. It’s not been for the faint hearted, but ultimately has built a foundation they all know is set to last. Of the many thousand lessons from Covid-19 so far, these women understand how critical it is to invest in personal wellbeing, yet understand with busy lives and continued increased costs of living, its not always an option. They’re driven to o er the centre to a wider audience with new memberships, more events and a strong community focus. On 9 October from 12-2pm Mel, Victoria, Greta, Keishana and Tanya will blow out the fi rst candle and toast to the bright future ahead. “We knew we had to o er what people most needed - we knew we couldn’t not do it. It constantly takes courage and we wholeheartedly want to be a force for good,” says Victoria. Visit Flow Wellbeing on 9 October for a special day of birthday celebrations, including free yoga all day, cake and live music.

Earth Unlimited

$25 per week All details released 9 October.

Fire and Earth Unlimited

$39 per week All details released 9 October.

Flow Wellbeing Deluxe

$75 per week All details released 9 October.

Experienced

AND PROFESSIONAL

Ateam that prides itself on its exceptional service is that of Christchurch Immigration Health. Specialising in immigration, business, and driver licence medicals, the clinic is conveniently located at The Caledonian Centre with excellent facilities and free parking. They cater to individuals, families, and businesses, with the capacity to schedule your medical examination very quickly and have the results emailed to you the following day. It doesn’t get much simpler than that. As the most reviewed immigration clinic in New Zealand, you can trust that you will be well looked after, with whatever medical you are needing. One happy client says, “Incredible experience here - the sta (Lisa, Marg and Bea) were so amazing, friendly,

Great service from friendly, helpful people is professional, and genuine. “I felt very welcomed and often what makes for a positive experience, at ease. I actually enjoyed especially when it is for something that we my experience of getting a medical! 100 percent need to get done as soon as possible.

recommend.” Christchurch Immigration Health is also pleased to be o ering medicals for other countries, including the Cook Islands and Fiji. As well as this, due to increasing demand, they are expanding into o ering employment medicals. This helps companies who are wanting to do their due diligence and cover basic medicals for all employees on an annual basis, or for insurance purposes. This is also useful for those going overseas for work and needing this preemployment information.