Low energy can be the result of more than just a poor night’s sleep. There are several factors that can contribute to a pattern of low energy and fatigue that may signal larger issues in overall health. Chronic low energy or fatigue may mean your lifestyle habits are not fully supportive of optimal health or you may be experiencing “unexplained” low energy that can be the result of hormone imbalances. Taking a big-picture look into what else affects energy levels is important in understanding which approach to take to help increase energy and improve long-term health.
Poor Dietary Habits
Vitamin and mineral intake and absorption are critical elements to powering internal health and balancing energy. Poor dietary habits may be a driver of low energy, specifically through consuming nutrient-poor processed foods or foods that are high in sugar, causing drastic spikes and drops in blood sugar that can lead to fatigue. To increase energy through nutrition, commit to a diet rich in nutritious, natural foods, preferably organic and minimally processed, and consume enough water to support proper hydration.
Sedentary Lifestyle
An object in motion stays in motion. Unfortunately, the opposite can also be true. A sedentary lifestyle can contribute to feelings of fatigue. Research suggests physical activity and movement increases energy levels and vigor, and may reduce overall fatigue. Dedicate to at least 150 minutes of moderate to rigorous exercise per week, including cardio and resistance training, to restore energy levels.
Hormone Imbalances
Continued low energy may be due to hormonal imbalances that can occur in both men and women. Hormone disruptions can be the result of menopause, andropause (low testosterone in men), cortisol imbalance (burnout), thyroid disorders, or chronic medication use such as birth control. If left untreated, imbalances may lead to weight gain, mood swings, poor concentration and memory loss, and most commonly: low energy. Regulating hormones is crucial to overall health and vitality, and can be accomplished by combining lifestyle changes and techniques such as peptide therapy or bioidentical hormone replacement therapy with oversight from an expert provider.
While sleep is typically the first place to consider when examining factors that affect energy, precision health care looks further into whole-person health to determine other lifestyle habits or health issues that may be contributing to fatigue. A precision health care provider does more than prescribe medication to enhance sleep or reduce symptoms of low energy; they dig deeper into the root-case by exploring whole-person health to develop a comprehensive and personalized plan to restore energy levels.
If you are experiencing chronic feelings of fatigue, schedule a meet and greet with one of our providers to begin a conversation around restoring your energy levels through precision health care.