I'm tired, you're tired, we're all tired! In fact, I feel like "I'm exhausted" is one of those phrases we throw around without really thinking about it. 

Sometimes that's exactly what it is. We haven't slept enough, we've had a busy week, we've got too much on, we've been staying up late etc. It happens. 

But...

What about when being tired isn't temporary anymore?

And

What happens when exhaustion becomes your baseline?

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Are Women Just Expected To Be Tired? 😴

Think about everything women can juggle at the same time. Work, relationships, kids, housework, appointments, family, social commitments, meal planning, organizing trips or family holidays, checking in on everyone... the list goes on. 

And somewhere between all of that, we're expected to keep fit, eat healthily, sleep well, stay hydrated, look after our physical and mental health and somehow find time for ourselves. 

No wonder we're tired!

But here's where it gets a little tricky. When you're constantly busy, it's very easy to assume that your exhaustion is a reflection of your lifestyle. Sometimes that's true. But sometimes, your body is trying to tell you that something's 'off'. 

What's The Difference Between Tired & Fatigued? 🫩

We tend to use these words interchangeably, but they aren't actually the same thing. Being tired is something we all experience. You might have had a late night and feel tired the next day. You might have a newborn and wonder if sleep is even a real concept anymore.

But fatigue is a persistent lack of energy that doesn't disappear after a good nights sleep. You might feel physically drained, struggle to concentrate, simple tasks can feel like they require a lot more effort than they should, you might feel like you're running on empty before the day has even begun. If that's happening regularly, then it's worth paying attention to. 

But I'm Just Busy...

This is one of the easiest explanations to give ourselves, but being busy doesn't automatically explain persistent exhaustion. 

There's lots of reasons why someone might feel unusually tired, including poor sleep, stress, mental health, nutritional deficiencies, hormonal changes and certain medical conditions. 

Iron deficiency for example can cause tiredness and weakness, and is particularly relevant to women who experience heavy periods, thyroid problems can also affect energy levels, while hormonal changes during different stages of life can influence sleep, mood and energy. 

And sometimes the reason is due to your lifestyle. 

But wouldn't it be helpful to know for sure?

Your Mental Health Can Make You Tired Too 🧠

Not all exhaustion is physical. Stress and anxiety can be incredibly draining. When your brain is constantly thinking about what needs to be done, there's no time for to switch off. 

You could be physically exhausted but mentally, you're running through your checklist for tomorrow, leading to you feeling more restless, irritable, emotional and/or overwhelmed. 

Or maybe you just feel like you have nothing left to give. 

Sometimes in order to look after your energy, you need to care for your mind as well as your body. 

And Then There's Sleep 💤

We can't talk about tiredness without talking about sleep. It's not about how much time you spend in bed, it's the quality of sleep that matters. 

Hormonal changes can affect sleep, particularly during perimenopause and menopause. Stress can make it harder to switch off, kids or hot flashes can wake you during the night, and let's be honest, sometimes our relationships with our phones are partly to blame.

But if you're consistently exhausted, it might be worth taking an honest look at your sleep, stress and daily routine. 

When Should You Get Checked Out? 🩺

You don't need to panic because you're tired. But if you're feeling a lot of fatigue and it's interfering with your daily life, there's no harm in getting checked out by a medical professional.

Especially if you're experiencing symptoms like:

○ Unexplained weight changes
○ Shortness of breath
○ Dizziness 
○ Changes to your period
○ Feeling unusually cold 
○ Changes to your hair or skin
○ Difficulty concentrating / brain fog 
○ Persistent low mood or anxiety 
○ Poor sleep despite feeling exhausted 
○ Feeling weak

You Don't Have To "Push Through"

I think we've become very comfortable with the idea of pushing through. Push through the tiredness. Push through the headache. Push through the anxiety/stress. Push through because there's still work to do, another email to respond to, another appointment to make, another item on the list.

Your body doesn't know your to do list is so long. But it does know when it needs rest. Constantly overriding that message can leave you feeling like you're running on empty and feel like you can barely think anymore. 

So Are You Just Tired?

Maybe you are, but what's the harm in asking:

→ How long have I felt like this? Is this how I normally feel?

→ Is my tiredness affecting my day to day life?

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You don't need to have all the answers, you just need to start paying better attention to yourself, because at the end of the day, you deserve to feel energized and like your best self.