The Real Reasons You're Always Tired

So many people tell me the same thing: “I’ve tried everything…and I’m still tired!” Does that sound familiar? The thing is, it's not just about sleep. Yes, sleep matters, but there are other “energy leaks” many people overlook. Let’s run through a quick checklist:

✅  You’re Running on “Wired but Tired” Mode.

If you feel mentally alert but physically drained, that’s a sign your nervous system may be out of sync – maybe too much caffeine, screen time or late-night work. I have an Oura ring that tracks my sleep, and when I’ve had late coffee, I definitely notice that even if I get a full night’s sleep, my deep sleep is usually affected.

👉Fix it:  Cut off caffeine by 2 pm (maybe even noon), limit screen exposure before bed, and get sunlight early in the day to help regulate your body’s natural rhythms.

✅ Your Nutrition Isn’t Supporting Your Energy Needs.

Most people think “clean eating” = more energy. But if you’re undereating, skipping key nutrients, or missing out on enough carbs, protein, or healthy fats, your energy levels can dip—fast.

I watched a woman in a mountain bike race on TV a few days ago, who actually spent her first year in college undernourished. It’s a syndrome called Relative Energy Deficiency in Sports (REDs). She came home from college for her first break and her parents luckily noticed something was up. Her bone density was really low and she had a lot of other health problems. It took her several years of focus to be well again, but she recovered and even won the race I watched.

Obviously that’s an extreme, but it is important to eat enough. We all get so busy, we may skip meals. I know I can be guilty of that at lunch time if I get wrapped up in a project.

👉 Try this: Keep healthy, easy-to-grab snacks on hand so you can quickly refuel. I shared this easy energy-ball recipe a few weeks ago. Other ideas are an apple and nuts, pre-cut veggies and hummus, or greek yogurt and berries. 

✅ Your Stress Levels Are Secretly Draining You.

Even if you don’t feel stressed, your body might be stuck in fight-or-flight mode. If you’re constantly going, checking your phone, and handling a million things, your nervous system never fully relaxes–which means your energy never fully recharges.

My son’s doctor is working with him on different strategies to relax his nervous system, even though he isn’t an anxious person.

👉 Try this: Take a deep breath right now. Seriously—inhale for 4 seconds, hold for 4 seconds, exhale for 6. Did you do it? Do you feel any different? If you do…That’s your nervous system shifting gears–something most people never give themselves time to do.

It’s All Connected! 

So instead of just focusing on more sleep, look at your whole energy equation–how you move, eat, recover, and manage stress.

Because when you really fix your energy, you don’t just feel better… You actually start performing better, thinking clearer, and showing up stronger in every part of your life.

Try one of these shifts this week and let me know how it goes.