Need a BIG mug of coffee to get going in the morning?

The first thing most of us think of is our hormones and they can absolutely be a contributor to fatigue, but it if we want to reduce our fatigue by addressing the causes, then we need to take a wide-angle look at our lives.

Plus, we are more than our hormones alone, and it doesn’t make sense to reduce our complex biology, our sometimes complex lives, and the environments in which we live down to one hormone. So, what could be making you tired? Here's a way-too-long list of possible contributors to fatigue that still doesn’t cover it all.

• poor quality and not enough sleep; sleep apnoea, the dreaded shift work, young children

• caring for children, parents or others

• chronic pain – it really drains you!

• poor nutrition, especially lacking adequate protein, iron and B vitamins

• anaemia

• overwork

• being taken for granted

• poor boundaries – doing all the things for all the people except yourself

• being unhappy and dissatisfied – at work, in your relationship, where you live….

• stress – financial, toxic workplace, relationship conflicts, caring for (and worrying about) ill and frail family

• constant activity

• no true rest

• lingering infections

• post-trauma and major surgery

• post-viral, e.g. Epstein Barr virus, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

• chemotherapy and radiotherapy, both in the short- and the long-term

• insulin resistance, undiagnosed or poorly managed diabetes

• dehydration

• chronic illnesses, e.g. rheumatoid arthritis

• chronic low level inflammation

• depression

• grief

• underactive thyroid

• environmental factors, e.g. noise, mould, smoke

• poor gut function and dysbiosis (imbalanced gut bugs)

• food sensitivities

• undiagnosed allergies, e.g. gluten

• cardiac disease

• partying too hard; drugs and alcohol

• some medications

• lack of exercise

• oh, and hormonal factors, e.g. low DHEA, PMS, perimenopause

How did you go, did more than one thing pop up? Most of us can tick a few off the list at least, and that why it is important to check out what your drivers of fatigue are so you can address them most effectively and get some energy back.

And when there is a condition that requires treatment (medication, nutritional supplements), you still need to make sure the foundational aspects of health and feeling fab are covered – eating the right foods to feel great, rest, movement and sleep.

Need some relief right now? Check out The Rest Bundle to get started.