Why Does Everyone Feel Exhausted Lately?

Have you noticed that almost everyone seems tired these days?

Friends are exhausted. Colleagues are running on coffee. Social media is full of people complaining about burnout, brain fog, and feeling drained for no obvious reason.

So what's going on?

The truth is that there probably isn't a single cause. Instead, many small factors are combining to leave people feeling more fatigued than ever.

One major culprit is poor sleep. Modern life has made it increasingly difficult to get the deep, restorative sleep our brains and bodies need. Late-night scrolling, streaming services, work emails, and constant notifications keep our minds stimulated long after we should be winding down. Even losing just one hour of sleep per night can significantly affect concentration, mood, and energy levels.

Stress is another important factor. Our bodies are designed to cope with short bursts of stress, such as escaping danger or dealing with an emergency. However, many people now live with chronic low-level stress that never truly switches off. Financial worries, family responsibilities, health concerns, and the endless flow of news can keep stress hormones elevated for weeks, months, or even years. Over time, this can leave us feeling physically and mentally exhausted.

Many people are also less active than they realise. It sounds counterintuitive, but exercise actually increases energy levels. Regular physical activity improves blood flow, cardiovascular fitness, sleep quality, and mood. When we spend long hours sitting at desks, in cars, or on the sofa, our bodies often respond with even greater feelings of fatigue.

Nutrition may also play a role. Highly processed foods, sugary snacks, and irregular meal patterns can cause rapid fluctuations in blood sugar levels. These highs and lows can leave us feeling sluggish and craving more quick-energy foods, creating a vicious cycle.

For some people, fatigue may signal an underlying medical problem. Common causes include iron deficiency, thyroid disorders, vitamin B12 deficiency, sleep apnoea, depression, anxiety, diabetes, and chronic infections. If tiredness persists for several weeks despite adequate sleep and healthy habits, it is worth discussing with your doctor.

The COVID-19 pandemic may also have left a lasting impact. Some individuals continue to experience symptoms of Long COVID, including fatigue, poor concentration, and reduced exercise tolerance. Even among those who recovered fully, the disruption to routines, social connections, and mental wellbeing may still be affecting energy levels years later.

The good news is that small changes can make a big difference. Prioritising sleep, exercising regularly, limiting screen time before bed, eating a balanced diet, managing stress, and staying connected with friends and family can all help restore energy levels.

Feeling tired occasionally is normal. Feeling exhausted all the time is not.

If fatigue is interfering with your daily life, don't simply assume it's part of getting older or living in a busy world. Sometimes your body is trying to tell you something important.

Listen to it.

More medical content can be found at Askadoc Youtube.

Stay healthy,

Dr. Joanna