Why Am I Lacking So Much Energy?
Do you ever wake up already tired and low on energy?
You get a full night’s sleep (or at least try to), but somehow you still feel drained like you’re running on empty. You’re not alone. So many people feel this way, and it’s not always about being lazy or getting older.
Let’s break down what might actually be behind that constant fatigue and what you can do to get your spark back.
1. You’re Not Sleeping as Well as You Think
You might be in bed for 8 hours, but that doesn’t mean you’re rested.
Things like stress, scrolling before bed, caffeine, and alcohol can all stop you from getting deep, healing sleep.
What to try:
– Go screen-free 30 minutes before bed.
– Keep your bedroom cool and dark.
– Aim to go to bed and wake up at the same time each day.
– If you wake often at night (especially around 2–3 am), it could be your liver or stress hormones needing support. Try winding down earlier and avoiding alcohol.
2. Your Blood Sugar’s on a Rollercoaster
Ever notice that mid-afternoon crash? The one where you’d sell your soul for caffeine or sugar?
That’s often because your blood sugar levels are spiking and crashing. When you eat too many refined carbs or skip meals, your energy becomes unpredictable.
What to try:
– Eat regular meals with protein, fibre, and healthy fats.
– Swap refined carbs (white bread, sugary snacks) for whole foods like oats, quinoa, nuts, and fruit.
– Don’t skip breakfast, it sets up your blood sugar for the day.
3. You’re Living in “Survival Mode”
When stress becomes your normal, your body stays in fight-or-flight mode.
This floods your system with cortisol (your stress hormone), which keeps you wired but eventually burns you out.
What to try:
– Take short breaks during the day, even 3 deep breaths help.
– Spend time in nature or sunshine.
– Move your body gently, walking, yoga, or stretching.
– Nourish your nervous system with calming herbs like ashwagandha, passionflower, or lemon balm.
4. You Might Be Missing Key Nutrients
Low energy can be your body’s way of saying “I’m missing something.”
Common deficiencies that sap energy include iron, vitamin B12, magnesium, vitamin D, and zinc.
What to try:
– Eat a variety of colourful, whole foods.
– Include leafy greens, lentils, nuts, seeds, and whole grains.
– If you’re plant-based (or even if you aren’t!), consider getting your B12 checked.
– Ask your practitioner about blood tests to check your levels, guessing can lead to more exhaustion.
5. Your Gut Might Be Struggling
Your gut does more than digest food, it helps make the chemicals that affect your mood and energy.
When your gut bacteria are out of balance (due to antibiotics, stress, or poor diet), you might feel tired, bloated, or foggy.
What to try:
– Add fibre-rich foods like veggies, beans, and flaxseeds.
– Include fermented foods like sauerkraut or coconut yoghurt.
– Drink enough water to keep things moving.
– Avoid too much sugar, which feeds the “bad” bacteria.
6. Hormones Could Be Playing a Role
If you’re in your 30s or 40s, hormonal changes might be draining your energy too.
When estrogen, progesterone, or thyroid hormones are out of balance, it can affect your mood, motivation, and stamina.
What to try:
– Support your hormones with a balanced diet (don’t skip meals!).
– Prioritise sleep and stress management, your hormones thrive on consistency.
– Herbs like shatavari, maca, and licorice root can help restore balance (ask your naturopath before using them).
7. You’re Running on Adrenaline (and Coffee)
That extra cup of coffee might feel like energy, but it’s really just a borrowed boost.
Caffeine pushes your body to release stress hormones, which can keep you wired then tired.
What to try:
– Cut back slowly if you’re having more than 2 cups a day.
– Replace one coffee with herbal tea or a green smoothie.
– Swap caffeine for rest, even short naps or moments of stillness help your body recover.
8. You’ve Forgotten to Rest, Really Rest
We live in a world that glorifies busy.
But true rest isn’t just about sleep, it’s about giving yourself permission to stop, breathe, and not be productive for a while.
What to try:
– Schedule rest like an appointment.
– Take quiet walks without your phone.
– Practice saying “no” when your body says it’s had enough.
Energy Doesn’t Come From Pushing Harder
It comes from supporting smarter.
Start with the basics. Nourish your body, rest, move gently, and manage stress.
Your energy will come back, not from doing more, but from giving your body what it’s been asking for all along.