Exhausted all the time...

[FourAces325]

I have been out of the academy and on the street four weeks now. I work in a very crime-ridden neighborhood on the South side of Chicago. Every day when I get home I am completely exhausted. It's not a shift change, because I am working days. But I am ready for bed about two hours after I get home, and no matter how much I sleep I am still tired. My theories are that either my body's not used to the up/down adrenaline levels with foot chases, man with a gun calls, etc. or being "hyper alert" all day drains my body. Has anyone else experienced this, and what do you think the cause is?

[leesrt]

I have been out of the academy and on the street four weeks now. I work in a very crime-ridden neighborhood on the South side of Chicago. Every day when I get home I am completely exhausted. It's not a shift change, because I am working days. But I am ready for bed about two hours after I get home, and no matter how much I sleep I am still tired. My theories are that either my body's not used to the up/down adrenaline levels with foot chases, man with a gun calls, etc. or being "hyper alert" all day drains my body. Has anyone else experienced this, and what do you think the cause is?

Get your thyroid checked asap.

[OCcop]

Welcome to policing. Now, add some midnights, some off-duty jobs, court and DL hearings, and you'll have it...

[SigSauerfirst]

I would start working out three to five times a week and you will feel better and be able to sleep. I went through that same thing and you will make it. Find a gym or go to the mix-martial arts training.

[reils49]

I went through that when I was in Iraq, and to some extent now that Im a cop. Try to eat good, get a good sleep, and have alot of ***, you'll feel better. At least I do.

[wearsastetson]

Try to eat good, get a good sleep, and have alot of ***, you'll feel better. At least I do

amen

It might sound funny, but get in a good workout after work and it will help burn a lot of the things that fatigue you then do all of the above

[FourAces325]

Thanks. I feel better knowing it has affected other cops. I will try to muster the energy for some workouts after work.

[GoFishFL]

do you snore? if so, might want to get checked for sleep apnea. i used to be the same way and now that i have a CPAP machine i feel completely rested even after a short night of sleep. just a thought.

[nonickname69]

Try not to dwell on stuff after shift. When you are off duty you are off duty. When you are on duty don't stress every little thing that you can't fix.

[nonickname69]

Thanks. I feel better knowing it has affected other cops. I will try to muster the energy for some workouts after work.

It's crazy but actually getting exercise will give you more energy during the week. Watch what you eat too. I know it's easy to just grab the fast food everyday because it's convenient or free. Try to get something other than the heavy grease. Also drink lots of water on duty too, avoid energy drinks, coffee, and soda.

It's tough to ween yourself off the caffeine but you will feel better if you can function without it and it just jacks your stress up too.

[Highwaylaw]

If you don't go home tired, you're not on your toes.

[nsdq96]

ditto to every comment posted; sit down take 20 min. and make a plan to what others have posted. Stress will make you exhausted at the end of your shift -- Working out drink fluid eating good, easier said than done I know.

[Eric_C]

I would recommend you start lifting weights, I find when I come home I am usually pretty tired and if I sit my fat *** on the couch I am done. But if I come home drop my stuff and start PTing I have much more energy.

Plus you burn stress.

[Iowa #1603]

do you snore? if so, might want to get checked for sleep apnea. i used to be the same way and now that i have a CPAP machine i feel completely rested even after a short night of sleep. just a thought.

First try the exercise route several have suggested................give it a month
Cut out caffeine 4 hrs prior to bed time


If still having problems.................try the sleep check...............it's expensive but insurance covers it most of the time........My wife just had one and the insurance bill shows it cost $1850.00 We don't have the results yet.

[leesrt]

Get your thyroid checked asap.

I'm not one for quoting myself but I think you may be overlooking the most important thing. I've been through this and I'm telling you, get your thyroid checked.
Everything else posted here will only cover up some of the symptoms until your thyroid is finally gone.

This is the key thing you stated that makes me worry...

no matter how much I sleep I am still tired.

Get it checked first and then do all the other stuff.