We’re feeling the effects of the seasons and mixed emotions relating to the pandemic
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Tiredness always peaks at this time of year, says Dr Nigma Talib, a Notting Hill-based naturopath who has worked with Penélope Cruz and Rosie Huntington-Whiteley. This is largely due to the seasonal changes, including colder weather, and the comedown from Christmas.
“In Chinese medicine, they believe that seasonal changes affects our sleep and energy levels, and what I see in clients bears this out,” she says.
However, after the 2020 we all had, that comedown (and the resulting fatigue) is likely to be tenfold. Add to that the fluctuating emotions we’ve felt in the past month or so, from our sense of despair when the new lockdown and school closures were announced last month, followed by the excitement of the vaccine roll out, which have further tired us out.
Imagine waking up covered in blood with a paramedic at your side. Or convinced every night you will choke in your sleep. Eimear O’Hagan explores the all-too-real realm of night terrors
Opening her eyes, Emelie Hryhoruk stared in confusion at the two paramedics crouched by her bedside. Sitting bolt upright in bed in her home near Bath, her confusion turned to horror as she took in the splatters of blood on her carpet.
‘I had absolutely no idea what had happened, or why paramedics were in my house in the middle of the night,’ says Emelie, 37, an artist and mother of two. ‘I was aware of my husband stroking my back trying to calm me down, but my heart was racing and I felt utterly terrified.’