EndorphinGirl™ was reminded on Monday that January is seasonal narcolepsy month. The causes of narcolepsy for an EndrophinGirl™ are threefold i) post-Christmas fatigue, ii) extreme cold conditions, iii) overly heated rooms and buildings. The causes of narcolepsy for others are not entirely known but there are several theories, not to be addressed here.  Symptoms for narcolepsy for any sufferer, EndrophinGirl or otherwise, are pretty much the same. The most common symptom is excessive daytime sleepiness!  Sound familiar? While not entirely scientific, these causes are real for an EndrophinGirl™ who knows that this time of year it is more than critical to over produce endorphins – given the primary symptom, of course!

Seasonal narcolepsy can lead to embarrassing moments so must be properly managed. Case in point – on Monday prior to a meeting, EndorphinGirl™ was waiting in a reception area. She was professionally dressed in a ‘business pant suit’ – it was nice to be out of her favorite garb – the ‘gym suit’!  As
she took a comfortable seat in the reception area with 10 minutes to spare before her meeting, she quietly began to prepare her thoughts. While a little 'quiet' mediation and Zen-ness is typical before any meeting for an EndrophinGirl™, narcolepsy took over for a split ‘few minutes’? EndorphinGirl™ began to doze off; it could not have been more than a ‘few minutes’ OR?!

Fortunately, there was a very friendly and very loud-speaking receptionist who started to clank something on her desk (purposely?) as she hummed merrily along.  EndorphinGirl™ was jolted out of her oblivion. Circumstances otherwise could have been terribly embarrassing!  Perhaps it was terribly embarrassing?

Later that day, prior to another meeting, she stopped home to bid adieu to EndrophinDaughter who was heading back to college / dorm life! After EndrophinDaughter departed, EndrophinGirl™ sat in a comfortable chair for ‘5 minutes’, and again ‘narcolepsed’ - awakening with only 20 minutes to spare to get to her next meeting.  Fortunately that meeting was only 10 blocks away – of course she fast-walked/half ran! (good for producing endorphins!) 

Finally, later that day, after her meetings were all concluded, she again sat for ‘5 minutes’ in that comfortable chair only to lapse into another narcoleptic state.  She was almost late for her yoga class (by now she was back in her 'gym suit'). Fortunately, she got to all of her meetings/class on time.

Suffice it to say that Monday's outcomes could have gone differently.  It should also be noted that after each of these ‘narcoleptic sessions’ she did feel good, not an uncommon outcome.  Fortunately, Monday’s narcoleptic sessions reminded EndrophinGirl™ of the importance of ensuring enhanced endorphin-like states during the month of January, particularly given what really can become uncompromising circumstances!

It should be noted that on Monday not only did she start the day at the gym, on the elliptical trainer and rowing machine, she ended the day at the gym with yoga.  One would think this would be enough to prohibit any ‘state of narcolepsy’. However, EndorphinGirl™ was enlightened and made clearly aware that she needs to do even more endorphin-producing during narcolepsy season. The twice-at-the-gym-in-a-January-day may not be enough this month.  Those endorphins must keep flowing given the obstacles she is up against (i.e., post-Christmas syndrome, cold weather and overly heated apartment and office buildings). Her goal is to beat this!

Narcolepsy sufferers typically encounter symptoms first between the ages of 15 and 30, in case you are wondering. As noted, there are various thoughts around why it happens yet there is no real concrete evidence other than some research that certain levels of certain chemicals in the brain are not 'synchronizing'.  Though it is unclear if this is genetic, environmental, or both?  That said, EndorphinGirl™ thinks perhaps her diagnosis is the most accurate.

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This week’s EndorphinGirl™ image depicts what a fully-Endorphed-state should look like in January!  Courtesy of
EndorphinDaughter.

Until Friday, keep on endorphing!

EndrophinGirl™

[Countdown: 117 days]