It’s 7 p.m., and instead of cooking that healthy meal you planned, you’re scrolling through a food delivery app. The gym bag in the corner of the room hasn’t moved in days, and the idea of meeting friends for coffee feels like another chore than a break. Sound familiar? Whether exactly like this or not, we can agree on one thing: exhaustion is becoming the norm, and burnout now feels like a badge of honor.
According to Statista, 45% of Americans report feeling worn out one to three days a week—even while getting the recommended 7-8 hours of sleep per night. For over a quarter of people, the fatigue is even worse, with many struggling to stay awake at least four days a week.
So what’s going on? Why do so many of us feel drained despite doing everything we’re “supposed” to do?
In recent years, it’s hard to miss the collective sense of fatigue that seems to be weighing on everyone. And it reflects in the way we balance work and maintain a social life (or at least trying to). And it’s not just the usual work deadlines or family responsibilities, it’s the added strain of living in a world that never seems to slow down. Between personal commitments and the lingering effects of a global pandemic, people are stretching themselves thin just to maintain the basics. With inflation hiking up the cost of living and a 24-hour news cycle full of global crises—we’re exposed to feeling drained psychologically, physically, emotionally, you name it—it’s easy to see why even simple activities can feel like a lot, be it exercising or even going out for a casual dinner.
What about in one of those rare cases, where you’re doing everything “right?” healthy diet [check], regular exercise [check], little or no alcohol [check], etc., but still can’t explain why you are tired all the time. Maybe you can’t even make it to three cups of coffee a day without feeling off? Which, by the way, is frustrating. But no matter what yours may look like, you could still be experiencing severe and unexplained fatigue, and if you want to uncover the little-mighty mystery, you might want to dig a little deeper. Sometimes, that tiredness you’re feeling isn’t sourced by something you’re doing, and maybe it’s something you can’t address on your own. Check out some of these psychological, emotional, financial, and health-related reasons why you are tired all the time.
01
Financial Stressors
It wasn’t that long ago when the American Dream felt within reach for most households—a stable job, a home, a car, and the ability to provide for a family on a single income. Fast forward to today, that dream feels more elusive than ever. Even with two incomes, the struggle to keep up with rising costs and maintain a basic standard of living has become a constant battle. Families are finding themselves stretched thin, juggling bills and sacrificing the small joys of life that once felt attainable—dinners out, vacation every year, or even just the occasional splurge.
This shift isn’t only about numbers on a paycheck, more importantly, it’s about the emotional toll of realizing that having a full-time job doesn’t guarantee the financial security it once did. It’s the frustration of knowing that no matter how many hours are put in, the weight of rent, groceries, healthcare, and education keeps growing. When we can’t afford to experience life’s pleasures or provide for our loved ones in the ways we’d like, it wears us down. Over time, that frustration turns into fatigue—a collective exhaustion that spreads through other aspects of life. When the small pleasures that once marked milestones, like dining out for a birthday or taking your kids on a summer trip, now feel like unattainable luxuries, it’s easy to feel defeated, and that sense of defeat is wearing people down.
02
Trying too Hard to Stay Productive
Life isn’t always about squeezing everything you can out of every hour.
Can you go for a walk in the woods? Stare at anything fascinating (even the wall) for an hour? Can you read a book right now if you want to? Take a long bath in a dimly lit bathroom with soft music on or in total silence? Take a mental health day and don’t ruin it by trying too hard to make the most of it?
What does it mean to feel truly energized? We live in a society that glorifies busyness, many of us have lost sight of what it takes to recharge. Research from Dan Buettner, who studied the habits of people in “blue zones”—regions around the world where people live longest, healthy lives, reveals a simple truth: the key to sustainable energy lies in prioritizing basic human needs. In these zones, people eat nourishing foods, stay physically active without forcing it into a schedule, cultivate meaningful relationships, and work with purpose, not just for profit. Their lives are built around balance, not burnout.
Contrast that with the way most of us live today. Processed foods replace real meals, social gatherings have to be penciled into calendars, and exercise feels like a chore squeezed into an already packed day. Meanwhile, work looms large, often taking precedence over everything else. Living with balance sounds ideal, but the truth is, it takes time, energy, and money. Resources many people don’t have. Instead of nurturing an environment that meets human needs, we’ve created a system that prioritizes constant productivity. And the cracks in this approach are beginning to show. Burnout is no longer an exception, it’s becoming the norm.
03
Stress, Stress, stress
Stress is a part of life, but there’s a big difference between the kind of stress we can manage and the kind that overwhelms us.
When we feel tired, the natural response is probably to sleep more. But life would be easier if it was that simple.
First things first, just in case you find out your fatigue is due to a medical condition, the right thing to do is seek help from your health provider and treat that condition. Then, you can apply other tips to improve your energy levels around specific concerns.
This research published in BMC Psychiatry, people can experience tiredness alongside stress, especially workplace-related stress. And it’s also a major cause of insomnia.
If you think about the pressure of a tight deadline at work or diving headfirst into a new adventure, while tough, these challenges can often be overcome and even give us a sense of achievement. There is stress that comes from things we can’t control—like rising crime, natural disasters, or the constant stream of negative news, feels entirely different. It’s a weight we carry everyday without any clear way to lighten the load.
In today’s connected world, we’re constantly bombarded by these external stressors. A headline about a devastating storm, a report on inflation, or a viral video showing tragedy can quickly trigger anxiety, affecting our mood for the rest of the day. Over time, this kind of chronic stress chips away at our emotional and physical well-being. Deep down we start to lose hope, and without hope, exhaustion and depression sets in. It’s this sense of powerlessness in the face of so much global chaos that can leave us feeling utterly drained.
Health related issues…
04
Excessive Workouts
For many, exercise is a sanctuary—a place to push boundaries and build strength. But what happens when that drive to improve starts to take a toll on your body? It’s one thing to feel the satisfying burn after a hard workout, but if you find yourself perpetually exhausted, the culprit might be something far more serious: overtraining syndrome.
Overtraining syndrome is what happens when your body has been pushed beyond its limits, unable to recover from the constant strain of intense exercise. General fatigue is often the first red flag, but it doesn’t stop there. You may notice persistent muscle pain, disturbed sleep, or even changes in your mood. Anxiety, stress, and even depression can sneak in, all while your immune system weakens, leaving you vulnerable to illness. According to Science Direct, this reduction in performance isn’t just frustrating—it’s your body’s plea for rest.
It’s easy to think more is always better when it comes to fitness, but balance is key. Exercise, while essential for health, must be paired with proper recovery and self-care. When those signs of fatigue, stress, and underperformance surface, it’s time to listen to your body. Scale back your workouts, nourish yourself with the right foods, and give yourself time to heal. If pulling back feels too difficult, or the symptoms persist, reach out to a healthcare professional to ensure you’re on the right path to recovery. After all, real strength comes from knowing when to rest.
05
Maybe Your Thyroid is to Blame
For such a tiny gland tucked neatly in your neck, the thyroid holds enormous power over your body’s wellbeing. Like the conductor of an orchestra, it quietly ensures that your metabolism, heart rate, and even body temperature stay in harmonious balance. But when this delicate gland falls out of tune, fatigue can hit harder than ever, leaving you wondering why even the simplest tasks seem exhausting.
Hypothyroidism, a condition where the thyroid underperforms, often creeps up on its victims unnoticed. It is most common in older adults and women, subtly draining energy as the body’s ability to produce enough hormones diminishes. With less energy circulating through your system, you might feel an unshakable lethargy, a tiredness that no amount of rest seems to fix. This condition may also bring along other unwelcome companions—constipation, forgetfulness, mood changes, and even tremors.
The tricky part about hypothyroidism is that it can easily be mistaken for the natural effects of aging. How often do we dismiss fatigue as just another sign of getting older? But untreated hypothyroidism can lead to far more serious consequences, including heart attacks or strokes. If you’ve noticed a lingering sluggishness, consult a healthcare professional to explore whether your thyroid is the underlying cause. It could make all the difference between enduring chronic exhaustion and reclaiming your vitality.
06
Sleep Apnea
If you find yourself waking up feeling less rested than you should, even after what seems like a full night of sleep, you might be wondering why, especially if you’ve created an ideal sleep environment and avoided common disruptors like late-night eating or alcohol.
One possible answer could be sleep apnea, a condition that affects many people without them even knowing. Sleep apnea happens when your airways briefly close during the night, interrupting your breathing. This disruption can cause you to wake up briefly or shift into lighter sleep, leaving you feeling exhausted during the day.
Besides fatigue, sleep apnea can make you more irritable, increase your hunger, and even weaken your immune system, making you more prone to colds and viruses. If you suspect sleep apnea might be the cause of your tiredness, consult a doctor for an apnea test to start improving your sleep and overall health. Once diagnosed, sleep apnea can often be managed with relatively simple changes. Adjusting your lifestyle or diet can help reduce daytime fatigue and improve your sleep quality.
07
Iron Deficiency and Fatigue
The human body depends on a careful balance of vitamins and minerals to function properly. When we don’t get enough of one, the effects can ripple through us in unexpected ways, often due to either insufficient intake in the diet or poor absorption of the mineral as noted by Healthline. Iron plays a key role in producing hemoglobin, a protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen throughout the body. Without enough hemoglobin, oxygen circulation is reduced, and with less oxygen reaching muscles and tissues, the body begins to feel tired. When oxygen levels are low, the heart and circulatory system works harder to compensate, adding to the exhaustion.
Keeping track of iron levels is important, especially for women, who require more iron than men. It’s recommended that adult women between the ages of 19 and 50 should aim to consume about 19 milligrams of iron daily, while men of the same age group need about 8 milligrams. Pregnant women should aim for higher amounts, around 27 milligrams per day, to support both their own health and the developing baby.
08
Medication For an Existing Condition
Managing a health condition with medication could be another cause for fatigue, you might discover that medication meant to help you might also leave you feeling more exhausted—like fatigue—start to show up. It’s not uncommon for certain medications to cause tiredness, and a wide range of drugs can have this effect, according to Harvard Health Publishing. Everyday drugs like antidepressants, beta blockers, anticonvulsants, and prescription for painkillers are known to cause tiredness.
It’s not uncommon for certain medications to cause tiredness, and a wide range of drugs can have this effect, according to Harvard Health Publishing.
This kind of fatigue can catch people off guard, especially when it compounds with other aspects of daily life—like poor sleep, stress, or drinking alcohol. Sometimes, a simple adjustment in dosage or switching medications with the guidance of a healthcare provider can help ease the symptoms. In other cases, it’s about finding ways to align your medication schedule with your body’s rhythms, such as taking drowsiness-inducing drugs before bedtime. Small tweaks like these can make a world of difference, helping you regain energy without compromising your health.
09
Fibromyalgia
Fatigue can creep into our lives for countless reasons. Sometimes, it’s simply the result of a passing illness or a few restless nights. But when the weariness persists, accompanied by stubborn aches that stretch across your body like a heavy blanket, you might be facing more than just everyday tiredness. For many women, these symptoms are the hallmark of fibromyalgia, a complex and often misunderstood condition. The fatigue that fibromyalgia brings isn’t just a minor inconvenience. It can range from a subtle sense of weariness to an overwhelming exhaustion that leaves you drained, with no warning of when the next wave will hit.
For those living with fibromyalgia, this chronic fatigue is often compounded by restless nights and sleep disturbances that rob the body of its chance to recover. Managing the exhaustion is just as critical as managing the pain that accompanies it. Doctors may prescribe a combination of medications and physical activity to help ease the burden. Antidepressants, for instance, are sometimes used not only to address mood but also to improve sleep quality and reduce fatigue. Yet, beyond medications, lifestyle adjustments play an equally crucial role. Identifying triggers—whether it’s a specific food, a stressful situation, or even poor sleep habits—is essential to navigating the unpredictable nature of this condition. As Healthline notes, crafting a steady bedtime routine can make all the difference in combating the deep tiredness that fibromyalgia so often brings.
10
Fatigue Might Be Linked to Inflammation
We all encounter inflammation now and then, whether from bumping into furniture or irritating our skin. However, low-grade inflammation—common in people with chronic health conditions—can be harder to detect and may quietly cause persistent fatigue.
When the body responds to inflammation, it releases proteins called cytokines to help manage the process. But in cases of low-grade chronic inflammation, the continuous release of these cytokines can disrupt the nervous system, leading to long-term tiredness. This type of fatigue isn’t limited to people with medical conditions. In fact, research suggests that as many as 40% of healthy individuals may experience inflammation-related fatigue, often due to lifestyle factors. Dietary changes can help reduce inflammation and improve energy levels. Eating more antioxidant-rich foods and healthy fats like omega-3s can have a positive impact. Probiotic foods such as yogurt, kimchi, and other fermented products can also support gut health, further reducing inflammation. If fatigue persists, it’s worth consulting with a healthcare provider to rule out other potential causes.
11
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS)
Fatigue is often attributed to stress, lack of sleep, or even brushed aside as a temporary condition. However, in some cases, feeling off is not just a symptom of another issue but a condition of its own. Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS), affecting as many as 3.3 million, is one such disorder, with more than 9 in 10 people with CFS not diagnosed by a doctor. It is defined by prolonged, extreme fatigue that does not improve with rest. CFS sufferers may experience both physical and mental exhaustion, and this can worsen with any physical activity.
The exact cause of CFS remains uncertain. It may develop after a viral infection or physical trauma, but this connection is not fully understood. Since there is no known cure, treatment focuses on managing symptoms. Medication may be prescribed to relieve pain, address related issues such as depression, or improve sleep. Counseling is another option to help cope with the emotional impact of the condition. Additionally, support groups, whether online or in person, can be helpful for individuals seeking advice and understanding from others living with the condition.
12
Inflammatory Bowel Disease
If you find your fatigue is accompanied by other symptoms such as consistent abdominal pain, blood in your stool, or diarrhea, it may be the right time to consult a healthcare provider for further testing. Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), a condition affecting the gastrointestinal tract, with fatigue as one of its primary symptoms. IBD causes inflammation in areas like the colon, rectum, and large intestine. As your body fights this inflammation, it can lead to extreme exhaustion.
IBD can also cause nutrient deficiencies, further contributing to fatigue. Disrupted sleep patterns due to IBD symptoms, such as frequent trips to the bathroom, can make you feel drowsier during the day. Additionally, some of the medications used to manage IBD may have fatigue as a side effect. The condition also brings other gastrointestinal symptoms like diarrhea, blood in the stool, or abdominal pain.
Closing Thoughts
The reality is that many of us are caught in a perfect storm: unsustainable work routines, financial pressures and forces beyond our control—combine to create a society of deeply exhausted individuals. But amid this struggle, there is a silver lining—some aspects of our well-being are still within our control. We can take our time to identify what boosts our energy and what drains it. There are choices we can make every day to reclaim some of our energy and improve our quality of life. It has always been the small, everyday choices that shape how we feel. Getting a full night’s rest, eating healthy, making time for outdoor activities with family and friends, being mindful of the news we consume, and setting boundaries around work can seem like minor actions, but over time, they make a difference.
These moments of intentionality add up, not that taking control of these areas will fix everything, but it can bring balance and reduce the burnout that so many of us experience. If we wait for systemic changes to alleviate our exhaustion, we may be waiting a long, long time. Instead, the path to a healthier, more satisfying life starts with consistently tending to the things that are within our reach. Peace and fulfillment aren’t accidental— they are built through small, deliberate acts each day.
