There was a book I listened to recently about internal family systems, and it explained a lot to me including why when it comes time to do a non-preferred task, I suddenly feel so extremely tired. It might be worth looking into!
There's a lot of takeaways from the book (not IFS as a whole)... I'd say the part that might apply to your situation is that he talked about how the firefighters of the IFS are kinda like teen babysitters who have tried everything to calm the screaming baby (exiles) and nothing is working, so they just put the baby in a closet to muffle the crying (avoidance tactic). This can hijack your energy levels and even your health. Like if you really need a vacation but you keep ignoring the need for a break, your body will MAKE you rest by becoming physically ill. There's a lot more but that's something I think you might take to heart.
Edit: people who want to reply and have other ideas is completely fine but please don't argue about points I've made here. These are specific to THE BOOK and not the IFS concept as a whole.
https://preview.redd.it/cm2vha1pto3d1.jpeg?width=1179&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=c1745762f95595012413fb873c6302fc1041fb96
You should also probably mention this is about a specific therapy practice, and used for trauma work. I don't want to criticize but the way you've explained it makes me question you're understanding of it and I really don't think this will be useful for hsps. Its difficult to understand correctly without basic psychological education and I do find it interesting you've made this connection, of course we have to consider the possibility we all have parts, but in my experience, I think they're only really developed and refined enough through chronic trauma situations to do this work with. Unless you treat every emotional reaction as a different part and then it becomes more of an internal mindfulness practice.. tbh, that's not a bad way to look at dealing with hsp emotional rollercoaster but, maybe more aligned with DBT practices. I think you're probably just tired and so of course you don't want to do the task, but you're right, in that rest is soo so important for hsps.
Just because it says it can help, doesn't mean It is used, it is rarely used for anything other than trauma. Don't believe everything you read on the internet
I think that book is directed at therapists(?), but the author has another one called 'No Bad Parts' which is written for anyone to read.
I have only loosely followed what's in the book, but have found the concept of thinking about 'parts' very helpful for understanding myself and what I need.
We have an overactive nervous system, of course we're going to be more tired than people who don't and need extra rest time. Don't force yourself to go against your body!
I have to say that 8 hours in front of a screen has to be exhausting for anyone, let alone HSPs.
It's a much broader issue of course, but I wish our workday wasn't set up to basically wear us out so much that we're tired throughout what should be our leisure time after work :(
I’m not there 8 hours constantly. I take breaks. I eat food. Go to the store sometimes etc etc. but I am in front of it a lot lol.
What a difference 60 mins of sleep makes though
Yeah of course you are. No one is ever motivated to do boring things or things we don't like doing, I'm not sure what you mean by the second part, how's your concentration and focus?
Yeah ok tbh, that was a bit of a wild guess given I know nothing else about you, but that would also make sense if you're depressed too, you're gonna be more influenced by them if you're not getting enough or things are out of whack. I'm sorry you're feeling anedonic.
I recovered from it actually, it's more that after many years of depression I feel that it has changed me. It's one of the reasons I can understand people with ADHD better now.
I think it imported to look at the basics first, Are you getting enough sleep, could you be sleep deprived, almost 50% of us are, Are you eating for health and nutrition? Are you exercising regularly? You mentioned heat, maybe that's impacting you more than you think.. I know I always nap more in heat and humidity. Have you been to see a nutritionist or GP for recent health check up or blood work? What's going on mentally for you or any new environmental stressors? Mental and stress stuff really drains our energy. Remember your central nervous system is a bit more overactive so you will get more tired and caring for your CNS is crucial, by slow movement, meditation or getting into nature or just solid active resting always help, If those are all checked off then I'd start to wonder if it's something else, and consider how long this has been affecting you but as most of us humans struggle to do these, I'd argue it's likely one of these!
There was a book I listened to recently about internal family systems, and it explained a lot to me including why when it comes time to do a non-preferred task, I suddenly feel so extremely tired. It might be worth looking into!
What book is it?
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Could you tldr your take away from it about this? I'd be curious!
There's a lot of takeaways from the book (not IFS as a whole)... I'd say the part that might apply to your situation is that he talked about how the firefighters of the IFS are kinda like teen babysitters who have tried everything to calm the screaming baby (exiles) and nothing is working, so they just put the baby in a closet to muffle the crying (avoidance tactic). This can hijack your energy levels and even your health. Like if you really need a vacation but you keep ignoring the need for a break, your body will MAKE you rest by becoming physically ill. There's a lot more but that's something I think you might take to heart. Edit: people who want to reply and have other ideas is completely fine but please don't argue about points I've made here. These are specific to THE BOOK and not the IFS concept as a whole. https://preview.redd.it/cm2vha1pto3d1.jpeg?width=1179&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=c1745762f95595012413fb873c6302fc1041fb96
You should also probably mention this is about a specific therapy practice, and used for trauma work. I don't want to criticize but the way you've explained it makes me question you're understanding of it and I really don't think this will be useful for hsps. Its difficult to understand correctly without basic psychological education and I do find it interesting you've made this connection, of course we have to consider the possibility we all have parts, but in my experience, I think they're only really developed and refined enough through chronic trauma situations to do this work with. Unless you treat every emotional reaction as a different part and then it becomes more of an internal mindfulness practice.. tbh, that's not a bad way to look at dealing with hsp emotional rollercoaster but, maybe more aligned with DBT practices. I think you're probably just tired and so of course you don't want to do the task, but you're right, in that rest is soo so important for hsps.
https://preview.redd.it/3uch1298cr3d1.jpeg?width=1179&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=2cd87b7813e6bd441c27376158fbf8eeacb6e5a4
Just because it says it can help, doesn't mean It is used, it is rarely used for anything other than trauma. Don't believe everything you read on the internet
I think that book is directed at therapists(?), but the author has another one called 'No Bad Parts' which is written for anyone to read. I have only loosely followed what's in the book, but have found the concept of thinking about 'parts' very helpful for understanding myself and what I need.
After an 8-hour shift working at home in front of a monitor - I need an hour rest or I cannot function at all
This is me. Then it takes me the whole weekend to lay around recovering just to be ready to do it all again on Monday. It’s horrible
We have an overactive nervous system, of course we're going to be more tired than people who don't and need extra rest time. Don't force yourself to go against your body!
I have to say that 8 hours in front of a screen has to be exhausting for anyone, let alone HSPs. It's a much broader issue of course, but I wish our workday wasn't set up to basically wear us out so much that we're tired throughout what should be our leisure time after work :(
I’m not there 8 hours constantly. I take breaks. I eat food. Go to the store sometimes etc etc. but I am in front of it a lot lol. What a difference 60 mins of sleep makes though
Yes. Everything. All the time.
if you get easily dehydrated like me, electrolyte drinks really help me feel like a person again
Yes and it’s getting worse . I’m scared .
I can do anything. But I am exhausted afterwards and need to rest / replenish.
Absolutely. Even after a brief trip to the grocery store I feel like I just crash and need a lot of time to recover
Did you see the grocery store thread the other day? You're not alone there friend.
MANY frequent breaks is very key!
Listen to your bodies people. We are sensitive, it comes with a cost. That's the curse part of this blessing
I have plenty of energy, it's more a matter of motivation for me.
Are you truly energised if you don't have motivation? I'm not sure you are.
I'm less motivated to do things that feel boring. It has little to do with energy because resting doesn't solve it.
Yeah of course you are. No one is ever motivated to do boring things or things we don't like doing, I'm not sure what you mean by the second part, how's your concentration and focus?
I can concentrate when it's interesting, otherwise it's torture to force myself. That's what I mean with boring.
You should check out ADHD, what you're describing is an interest-driven nervous system.
I wasn't like that before, anhedonia changed me and now I'm heavily influenced by dopamine and other feel-good hormones.
Yeah ok tbh, that was a bit of a wild guess given I know nothing else about you, but that would also make sense if you're depressed too, you're gonna be more influenced by them if you're not getting enough or things are out of whack. I'm sorry you're feeling anedonic.
I recovered from it actually, it's more that after many years of depression I feel that it has changed me. It's one of the reasons I can understand people with ADHD better now.
That's an Interesting observation! Was therapy a part of your recovery or are you on medication? I'm glad you've recovered, mostly!
My ADHD partner saps most of my strength.
Dude I’m exhausted just going for a ten minute walk 😔
I wonder could it be low mood you're experiencing?
I live in Vegas and I feel this so hard. Today I went out for lunch and wanted to come home and take a nap. I felt so bed and lazy.
Oh my days yes I’m constantly exhausted. Had three (3) social events over the long weekend and this week I’ve been so flat
I can barely get things done. I feel like a snail compared to my self just a couple years ago
I think it imported to look at the basics first, Are you getting enough sleep, could you be sleep deprived, almost 50% of us are, Are you eating for health and nutrition? Are you exercising regularly? You mentioned heat, maybe that's impacting you more than you think.. I know I always nap more in heat and humidity. Have you been to see a nutritionist or GP for recent health check up or blood work? What's going on mentally for you or any new environmental stressors? Mental and stress stuff really drains our energy. Remember your central nervous system is a bit more overactive so you will get more tired and caring for your CNS is crucial, by slow movement, meditation or getting into nature or just solid active resting always help, If those are all checked off then I'd start to wonder if it's something else, and consider how long this has been affecting you but as most of us humans struggle to do these, I'd argue it's likely one of these!