Jump to content

  • Welcome to Celiac.com!

    You have found your celiac tribe! Join us and ask questions in our forum, share your story, and connect with others.


  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A1):
    Celiac.com Sponsor (A1-M):

  • Get Celiac.com Updates:
    Support Our Content
    eNewsletter
    Donate

Strategies For Daily Life When You're Feeling Lousy

jumpingjuniper

Recommended Posts

jumpingjuniper Rookie
jumpingjuniper
Posted

Hi,

I posted another thread about how I've been sick lately, after ten years of being completely gluten-free, if you want some background.

Anyway, I'm curious to hear what kinds of strategies people use for getting on with daily life when you're feeling lousy. I find I cannot wrap my mind around much right now, my focus is terrible, and I'm tired. But this has been going on for weeks now and I can't just accomplish nothing!

So, what are your strategies for getting things done when you've got brain fog and it feels like you have cotton balls in your brain?

I've been thinking about -

- cutting back on internet time (this usually adds to my brain fog feeling, I don't know why)

- trying to do work in 15-30 minute increments with breaks in between

Thanks in advance for any ideas you share!

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):
Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):


jswog Contributor
jswog
Posted

Can't help, but I'm looking forward to reading others' suggestions!

pondy Contributor
pondy
Posted

How about a short walk outside?

If not that, what about art? For some reason, doodling helps me focus. I've been doing these things called "Zen Tangles" - which is really just "focused doodling". Don't know how or why, but it helps me a little...

sandsurfgirl Collaborator
sandsurfgirl
Posted

I'd like to hear those responses too. I have small children and it takes so much out of me to take care of them.

T.H. Community Regular
T.H.
Posted

The short increments of time to be 'active' is something I do, too. For a while, I made a list of chores, sorted by 'quick, medium, and long,' in terms of how much time it would take to do them. When i'm feeling awful, I would just take care of the chores in the 'short' category, and leave the long ones for later, or just do them a teeny bit at a time. It worked for a while there, but it wasn't perfect.

cooking-wise, I have been trying to cook double batches ALWAYS, so that I freeze half of ever dinner I make. That way, whenever I feel awful, I always have something I can just heat up and eat, and it's not an issue.

At least, that's what I've just started doing - I don't have much of a store built up, yet!

Paper plates and plastic silverware were another thing I did for a while, to cut down on dishes when I'm feeling blah.

Bubba's Mom Enthusiast
Bubba's Mom
Posted

I find I have to make lists..things that need to be done, errands (including names of the stores and what to get there), foods I have on hand and meal plans, etc.

I can't seem to rely on my brain to remember anything.

I tend to sort out what to do by what is the most urgent or important on my list that day.

Strawberry-Jam Enthusiast
Strawberry-Jam
Posted

I second the taking a walk thing. The only times when I ever think to myself, "huh, I'm not really that tired right now" is when I'm out walking somewhere. When you're done with your short walk, use the momentum and energy from it to get some things done. If you sit down to rest after the walk, you won't get up again. I know I won't. But if you absolutely must rest after the walk, you may have overexerted yourself.

Rationing energy, like you mentioned, is good. Resign yourself to getting less done than usual/normal people. Prioritise like crazy. sleep a lot and rest when you need to.

I've always suffered from really low energy levels. and while my energy is a lot better now that I am gluten-free and exercising regularly, I'm having a relapse too (like I mentioned to you).

computer makes your brain fog worse because of all the artificial light bombarding your eyes. computer hurts my head too.

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):
Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):


mbrookes Community Regular
mbrookes
Posted

I'm a list maker.

List the things you need to do. Then prioritize them. Cut the list from the bottom. Then you have left what absolutely must be done. Do the rest IF you feel like it.

Be sure the top of the list includes some pleasant stuff..(sort pictures of grandchildren is a good one for me).

I sometmes eat a bowl of ice cream as a reward for finishing a task.

T.H. Community Regular
T.H.
Posted

List the things you need to do. Then prioritize them. Cut the list from the bottom. Then you have left what absolutely must be done. Do the rest IF you feel like it.

That is such a good idea. I don't know why I don't think of doing that, but I really usually don't. That really jives with the 'spoon theory' I read once. Just looked it up, for anyone interested who hasn't yet seen it: Open Original Shared Link

It's just the way this gal thought of to describe what it's like to live day to day with lupus, but I remember thinking that it was a great way to describe days for anyone who has a chronic illness, on the day when you are just knocked flat.

Basically, this gal grabbed a handful of spoons, handed them to her friend, and told her that for everything she had to do that day, it was going to cost her a spoon. So...what would you do, if you KNOW you only have a certain number of spoons to spend today? If you know by the end of the day, you can cook food, or do dishes, but not both? If you can spend time with your kids, or time with your friends, but not both?

It's hard for me to prioritize like that, I think, because I just tend to try to do it all, and then stall out and feel like I've failed if I can't get everything done that I think I should be able to. I've gotten better at just accepting I'm at my limit when it hits, but planning for that limit, prioritizing intentionally, is something I never quite managed. And it seems much smarter, and...I believe I'll be doing that, soon!

So glad you made that comment, mbrookes.

AVR1962 Collaborator
AVR1962
Posted

I find if I jump start my day with even just a small brisk walk outside I will have a more productive day. Not always easy as it is more tempting for me to sit at the computer so I have to make myself at times.

Also, I a terribly sluggish without D from the sun, and live in an area with nlots of clouds and rain, feel like I could hybernate for the winter. I have found going to a tanning salon a few times a week and only spending 10 minutes in a bed helps. I have recently found a place that has UV lights where you can sit and read so am thinking of trying that.

My B12 and D levels are in the toilet so I also know I have to be more careful with my diet. I love sugar but it does not do much good for my energy level overall. So I try to fill my diet with more foods with B12 and D. Not the funnest choices but itdoes make a difference in how I feel.

jumpingjuniper Rookie
jumpingjuniper
Posted
  • Author

These are good ideas, thanks. I forgot about that spoon analogy, it is apt.

I agree that a walk, but not too much of one, helps, that is good to remember.

Archived

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.

Go to topic listing

  • Get Celiac.com Updates:
    Support Celiac.com:
    Join eNewsletter
    Donate
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A17):
    Celiac.com Sponsor (A17):



    Celiac.com Sponsors (A17-M):



  • Recent Activity

    1. knitty kitty
      - knitty kitty replied to Jane02's topic in Gluten-Free Foods, Products, Shopping & Medications
      9

      Desperately need a vitamin D supplement. I've reacted to most brands I've tried.

      @Jane02, I hear you about the kale and collard greens. I don't do dairy and must eat green leafies, too, to get sufficient calcium. I must be very careful because some calcium supplements are made from ground up crustacean shells. When I was deficient in Vitamin D, I took high doses of Vitamin D to correct the deficiency quickly. This is safe...
    2. Jane02
      - Jane02 replied to Jane02's topic in Gluten-Free Foods, Products, Shopping & Medications
      9

      Desperately need a vitamin D supplement. I've reacted to most brands I've tried.

      Thank you so much @knitty kitty for this insightful information! I would have never considered fractionated coconut oil to be a potential source of GI upset. I will consider all the info you shared. Very interesting about the Thiamine deficiency. I've tracked daily averages of my intake in a nutrition software. The only nutrient I can't consistently...
    3. knitty kitty
      - knitty kitty replied to Jane02's topic in Gluten-Free Foods, Products, Shopping & Medications
      9

      Desperately need a vitamin D supplement. I've reacted to most brands I've tried.

      Hello, @Jane02, I take Naturewise D 3. It contains olive oil. Some Vitamin D supplements, like D Drops, are made with fractionated coconut oil which can cause digestive upsets. Fractionated coconut oil is not the same as coconut oil used for cooking. Fractionated coconut oil has been treated for longer shelf life, so it won't go bad in the...
    4. Scott Adams
      0

      Penobscot Bay, Maine: Nurturing Gluten-Free Wellness Retreat with expert celiac dietitian, Melinda Dennis

      until
      Hello! Join me and treat yourself to a four-day, three-night restorative gluten-free retreat in a peaceful, private coastal retreat setting near Penobscot Bay in Maine. Dates: April 10-13, 2026 Enjoy engaging classes...
    5. Scott Adams
      - Scott Adams replied to Jane02's topic in Gluten-Free Foods, Products, Shopping & Medications
      9

      Desperately need a vitamin D supplement. I've reacted to most brands I've tried.

      I do not know this, but since they are labelled gluten-free, and are not really a product that could easily be contaminated when making them (there would be not flour in the air of such a facility, for example), I don't really see contamination as something to be concerned about for this type of product.
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A19):

  • Member Statistics

    • Total Members
      133,331
    • Most Online (within 30 mins)
      7,748
    Kristy2026
    Newest Member
    Kristy2026
    Joined
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A20):
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A22):

  • Forum Statistics

    • Total Topics
      121.6k
    • Total Posts
      1m
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A21):

  • Who's Online (See full list)

    • There are no registered users currently online

  • Upcoming Events

  • Posts

    • knitty kitty
      Desperately need a vitamin D supplement. I've reacted to most brands I've tried.

      By knitty kitty · Posted

      @Jane02, I hear you about the kale and collard greens.  I don't do dairy and must eat green leafies, too, to get sufficient calcium.  I must be very careful because some calcium supplements are made from ground up crustacean shells.  When I was deficient in Vitamin D, I took high doses of Vitamin D to correct the deficiency quickly.  This is safe and nontoxic.  Vitamin D level should be above 70 nmol/L.  Lifeguards and indigenous Pacific Islanders typically have levels between 80-100 nmol/L.   Levels lower than this are based on amount needed to prevent disease like rickets and osteomalacia. We need more thiamine when we're physically ill, emotionally and mentally stressed, and if we exercise like an athlete or laborer.  We need more thiamine if we eat a diet high in simple carbohydrates.  For every 500 kcal of carbohydrates, we need 500-1000 mg more of thiamine to process the carbs into energy.  If there's insufficient thiamine the carbs get stored as fat.  Again, recommended levels set for thiamine are based on minimum amounts needed to prevent disease.  This is often not adequate for optimum health, nor sufficient for people with absorption problems such as Celiac disease.  Gluten free processed foods are not enriched with vitamins like their gluten containing counterparts.  Adding a B Complex and additional thiamine improves health for Celiacs.  Thiamine is safe and nontoxic even in high doses.  Thiamine helps the mitochondria in cells to function.  Thiamine interacts with each of the other B vitamins.  They are all water soluble and easily excreted if not needed. Interesting Reading: Clinical trial: B vitamins improve health in patients with coeliac disease living on a gluten-free diet https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19154566/ Safety and effectiveness of vitamin D mega-dose: A systematic review https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34857184/ High dose dietary vitamin D allocates surplus calories to muscle and growth instead of fat via modulation of myostatin and leptin signaling https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38766160/ Safety of High-Dose Vitamin D Supplementation: Secondary Analysis of a Randomized Controlled Trial https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31746327/ Vitamins and Celiac Disease: Beyond Vitamin D https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11857425/ Investigating the therapeutic potential of tryptophan and vitamin A in modulating immune responses in celiac disease: an experimental study https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40178602/ Investigating the Impact of Vitamin A and Amino Acids on Immune Responses in Celiac Disease Patients https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10814138/
    • Jane02
      Desperately need a vitamin D supplement. I've reacted to most brands I've tried.

      By Jane02 · Posted

      Thank you so much @knitty kitty for this insightful information! I would have never considered fractionated coconut oil to be a potential source of GI upset. I will consider all the info you shared. Very interesting about the Thiamine deficiency.  I've tracked daily averages of my intake in a nutrition software. The only nutrient I can't consistently meet from my diet is vitamin D. Calcium is a hit and miss as I rely on vegetables, dark leafy greens as a major source, for my calcium intake. I'm able to meet it when I either eat or juice a bundle of kale or collard greens daily haha. My thiamine intake is roughly 120% of my needs, although I do recognize that I may not be absorbing all of these nutrients consistently with intermittent unintentional exposures to gluten.  My vitamin A intake is roughly 900% (~6400 mcg/d) of my needs as I eat a lot of sweet potato, although since it's plant-derived vitamin A (beta-carotene) apparently it's not likely to cause toxicity.  Thanks again! 
    • knitty kitty
      Desperately need a vitamin D supplement. I've reacted to most brands I've tried.

      By knitty kitty · Posted

      Hello, @Jane02,  I take Naturewise D 3.  It contains olive oil.   Some Vitamin D supplements, like D Drops, are made with fractionated coconut oil which can cause digestive upsets.  Fractionated coconut oil is not the same as coconut oil used for cooking.  Fractionated coconut oil has been treated for longer shelf life, so it won't go bad in the jar, and thus may be irritating to the digestive system. I avoid supplements made with soy because many people with Celiac Disease also react to soy.  Mixed tocopherols, an ingredient in Thornes Vitamin D, may be sourced from soy oil.  Kirkland's has soy on its ingredient list. I avoid things that might contain or be exposed to crustaceans, like Metagenics says on its label.  I have a crustacean/shellfish/fish allergy.  I like Life Extension Bioactive Complete B Complex.  I take additional Thiamine B 1 in the form Benfotiamine which helps the intestines heal, Life Extension MegaBenfotiamine. Thiamine is needed to activate Vitamin D.   Low thiamine can make one feel like they are getting glutened after a meal containing lots of simple carbohydrates like white rice, or processed gluten free foods like cookies and pasta.   It's rare to have a single vitamin deficiency.  The water soluble B Complex vitamins should be supplemented together with additional Thiamine in the form Benfotiamine and Thiamine TTFD (tetrahydrofurfuryl disulfide) to correct subclinical deficiencies that don't show up on blood tests.  These are subclinical deficiencies within organs and tissues.  Blood is a transportation system.  The body will deplete tissues and organs in order to keep a supply of thiamine in the bloodstream going to the brain and heart.   If you're low in Vitamin D, you may well be low in other fat soluble vitamins like Vitamin A and Vitamin K. Have you seen a dietician?
    • Scott Adams
      Desperately need a vitamin D supplement. I've reacted to most brands I've tried.

      By Scott Adams · Posted

      I do not know this, but since they are labelled gluten-free, and are not really a product that could easily be contaminated when making them (there would be not flour in the air of such a facility, for example), I don't really see contamination as something to be concerned about for this type of product. 
    • trents
      Desperately need a vitamin D supplement. I've reacted to most brands I've tried.

      By trents · Posted

      Contact them.
×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

NOTICE: This site places This site places cookies on your device (Cookie settings). on your device. Continued use is acceptance of our Terms of Use, and Privacy Policy.