DEAR HARRIETTE: Recently, I have been feeling kind of run down. I think in part it’s because I’ve been worrying about money and how to make ends meet. But I know I have gained weight and not paid such great attention to my body as I’ve been trying to hustle to pay my bills. I feel like I need to rest, but I don’t know when I can do it. I also need to get a physical, but I’m afraid of what the doctor is going to say. I feel stuck, and that only makes me want to take a nap. How can I do something positive for myself when I’m feeling so blue? -- Frozen, Philadelphia
DEAR FROZEN: The good news is that you understand how you feel and what you are facing. Now you need to take action. Why not address each concern independently? Start by scheduling a physical examination. As scary as this may be, it will give you a gauge on what you need to do for your life in order to become stronger. One friend of mine felt like she was dragging for months. She learned that her vitamin D was so low that it was likely the culprit. Now she takes prescription-strength vitamin D supplements and feels better. Who knows what you will learn about yourself, but it’s worth finding out.
Next, consider what you are good at doing that people pay for. It may be time to change your job or add something to your work schedule. The best way to determine what that is will be to evaluate your skills.
Finally, it’s OK to nap. Some people nap daily for a few minutes to get a little boost in the day. You can, too. Just don’t stay in bed too long!
(Harriette Cole is a lifestylist and founder of DREAMLEAPERS, an initiative to help people access and activate their dreams. You can send questions to askharriette@harriettecole.com or c/o Andrews McMeel Syndication, 1130 Walnut St., Kansas City, MO 64106.)