9 Reasons: Why Is My Energy So Low & Ways to Fix It

Yawning at the site of another *important* email; running at the speed of a turtle to buy your second latte of the day; daydreaming about the moment you can go home and slump on the couch; unnatural brain fog when asked a question on a topic you consider yourself an expert. Sound like you yesterday??

There’s one common theme here driving you to all of these things: energy—or lack thereof. Low energy and chronic fatigue seem to be haunting most these days. What’s a girl to do?

If you want to know the top things robbing you of energy, keep reading. We’re diving into 7 reasons why your energy is low and ways to fix it.

9 Reasons: Why is my energy so low?

Wrong Breakfast

Consuming a carb- or sugar-heavy breakfast can leave you feeling pooped by 10 am.

GF waffles and syrup or a processed packaged bar can cause a massive spike in insulin, making you feel energized for all of 10 minutes, and then hit that afternoon slump even before 12 pm.

Instead, opt for a smoothie heavy in greens and energizing, nourishing herbs. Ensure you get your protein in (which can be found in greens like spirulina or healthy fiber like chia seeds!). And always always always get a big glass of water in! Hydrating your body first thing in the morning can help flush out toxins that leave you feeling sluggish. If water isn’t your thing (it wasn’t mine for a really long time), then check out our Hydration Superfood Energy powder.

Wrong Lunch

The afternoon slump is all too real—, and a lot of it has to do with poor lunch decisions. A protein-rich lunch can help minimize the effects of blood sugar spikes that cause an energy downer.

When choosing your lunch, make sure to include protein to match your carbs. A 1:1 ratio is a good idea. This can look like a big salad with hydrating veggies, freshwater fish, pumpkin seeds, avocado, and lemon and olive oil dressing. If you’re vegetarian, quinoa/lentils/beans can be an excellent high-protein and fiber option.

Eating Dinner Too Late

Let’s keep with the food theme for a second. When we eat dinner too late at night, our body has to work extra hard to get us into a deep sleep. When we should be in a deep sleep—our bodies are having to digest our food when our digestive systems should be resting!

Finish up dinner at least 2 hours before bedtime. If you ever have a late dinner, drink ginger tea after to help speed up digestion and nourish your gut.

Poor Sleep

Quality over quantity when it comes to sleep! When we enter deep sleep (which we should for close to 2 hours every night), our brains flush out toxins, and our organs get a refresh. If we miss this deep sleep, we have a lingering toxic load on our brains and bodies, wreaking havoc on our cravings, mood, and of course, energy.

If you are having trouble getting to sleep and staying asleep, try these supplements:

Magnesium: Magnesium glycinate is a combination of magnesium and the amino acid glycine, which can promote healthy neurological function and better sleep quality. One study found that a magnesium glycinate supplement helped to ease insomnia and lead to a longer, deeper sleep by increasing melatonin levels and decreasing cortisol (our stress hormone).
Reishi: an adaptogenic mushroom that can help calm the nervous system, reduce stress, and help us get into that deep sleep we need

Check out our podcast episode and guide on the best sleep support tools to help you get good quality sleep. We talk about the harms of blue lights, apps/products to keep us on track, and more!

Lack Vitamin B12

B12 plays an essential role in keeping you sharp and ready to learn. It’s crucial for the proper functioning of the nervous system and brain. When deficient in B12 (super common!), we become vulnerable to stress and aging. We also can feel depleted, tired, depressed, and have a poor memory.

Getting in an adequate amount of B12 daily is crucial for sustainable energy. You can get B12 through foods (beef, liver, salmon, eggs) and supplements. Our Hydration Superfood Energy contains a daily dose of B12 for your best energy.

Overwhelmed by COVID-19

Life is emotionally exhausting right now. Between constant negative news, job insecurity, and fear of sickness, we are all on edge. Researchers coined a term for this — ‘crisis fatigue’— the human response to unrelenting stress that can cause a person to feel numb or tired.

Do you feel this?

Easy ways to combat crisis fatigue by resetting your parasympathetic nervous system:

Turn off the news
Take a phone break
Write a gratitude list; we love this five minute journal
Play outside, ground in nature
Meditate
Dance
Float in a pool

Between a blitzkrieg of negative headlines, job insecurity, and fear of the virus itself, life right now is emotionally exhausting. Researchers have even coined a term for it – ‘crisis fatigue is defined as a human response to unrelenting stress that can cause a person to feel physically numb or tired.

You’re not doing what you love

When we aren’t in our authentic being, we lack zest for life. It’s that simple.

Whether it’s a job, relationship, or commitment we aren’t entirely in love with, it’s hurting our energy levels. For example, saying yes to going out with a friend we no longer feel aligned with is basically telling ourselves that we are not worthy of deeper relationships.

Another example is spending our time working a job that we no we have grown out of. Ever notice how much your energy levels go up when you are doing something that excites you?

Take account of where in your life you are forcing. Look at what actionable steps you can take to move from a space that is depleting your energy to one that fills you up.

Other Potential Underlying Reasons

Adrenal Fatigue

Other causes of extremely low energy can be related to adrenal health. I’ve suffered from adrenal fatigue after every single one of my pregnancies, and let me tell you…it’s not fun. But what is adrenal fatigue, what are the symptoms and how can we fix it?

Adrenal fatigue is a very common issue—especially among women—but its diagnosis is controversial which is why it can be difficult to get support and find solutions. In this episode we want to share 4 triggers for adrenal fatigue as well as recovery tips so that you’re feeling refreshed and uplifted.

Adrenal fatigue is poor adrenal function due to an overwhelm of physical, mental and/or emotional stress. Your adrenals are responsible for stress management.

Symptoms of Adrenal Fatigue

Unusual and unexplained fatigue even after a solid night’s sleep
Difficulty in handling stress (feel overwhelmed easily)
Feeling difficult to get up early in the morning
Mild depression
Cravings for salty, sugary and fatty foods
Craving for caffeine
Insomnia – getting a second wind around 10:00 / 11:00 at night
Weak immune system
Anger, fear and anxiety
Increased allergies
Weakness in the muscles, muscle and bone loss
Skin issues
Imbalance of hormones
Menopausal symptoms or increased PMS
Lightheadedness when sitting, standing or lying down
Memory disruption – issues with memory and focus

Recovering from Adrenal Fatigue

Keep in mind that recovering from adrenal fatigue takes time—there are no quick fixes. Here are some of the strategies that have helped me recover. For more information and guidance, check out this podcast episode on adrenal fatigue.

Rest as much as possible
Create low stress environments
Frequent eating/snacking
Move your body
Create restoration time
Use adaptogens for extra support: holy basil, milk thistle, adrenal complex
Functional health tests: hormone panel, environmental toxicity, and micronutrients

Thyroid Issues/Hashimotos or Hypothyroidism

It’s estimated that 13.4% to 38% of the population is affected by Hashimotos, making it the most common autoimmune disease in the U.S. but also the world. One in five women experience this autoimmune condition throughout their lifetime—and the most common symptoms is fatigue.

If you suffer from sometimes debilitating low energy that could be a sign that you should get your thyroid checked.

Hypothyroidism is thought to happen when the body starts to create a lot of inflammation that attacks the thyroid and wears it down. The truth is, science doesn’t exactly know what truly causes hypothyroidism, and there is a lot of misinformation out there. What we do know are the symptoms:

Fatigue
Cold hands and feet
Weight gain or loss
Diminished fertility
Hair fall out
Aches/pain
Night sweats
Brain fog
Mood swings
Depression
Lack of appetite

Natural Support For Thyroid Issues Podcast Episode

Essential Oils for Hypothyroidism