Why am I exhausted all the time?
There is rarely one reason. Poor sleep, stress, low mood, what and when you eat, and medical causes such as low iron or an underactive thyroid can all leave you drained. Because some of these need a blood test, see your GP first if the tiredness has gone on for weeks. After that, a practitioner can help you with food, sleep and stress, the everyday things that shape your energy.
Common reasons you might feel exhausted
- Sleep that is short or broken. Late nights, waking at 3am, a noisy room or a racing mind all mean you wake up unrefreshed.
- Stress and worry. Being on alert all day is tiring in itself, even when you are sitting still.
- Low mood or anxiety. Both often show up as heavy, flat tiredness before anything else.
- Food and drink. Skipped meals, lots of sugary snacks, too little water or a lot of caffeine and alcohol can make energy swing up and down.
- Medical causes. Low iron or other nutrient levels, an underactive thyroid, diabetes, sleep apnoea, infections and some medicines can all cause tiredness.
- Life demands. New babies, caring, shift work, long commutes and busy jobs leave little time to recover.
When to see your GP first
Please book a GP appointment if you have been tired for more than a few weeks, if rest does not help, or if the tiredness is stopping you from working or looking after yourself. Go sooner if it comes with unexplained weight loss, a very low mood, heavy periods, breathlessness, chest pain, feeling faint, night sweats or a fever. If chest pain is severe, comes on suddenly or does not ease, call 999 straight away. Tell your GP about any medicines you take, as some can cause tiredness. A simple blood test can rule out common medical causes, and it is a sensible step before anything else. A good practitioner will tell you if another route is better first, and will not ask you to skip it.
Try something tonight
Feeling wiped out tonight? A short guided wind-down recording or an energy-and-eating guide is a gentle place to begin, at home and at your own pace.
Relaxation recordings are not medical treatment. Please only listen somewhere safe where you can relax, never while driving.
Or see someone: find nutritionists near you
2054 nutritionists in the Practitioner directory, each with a phone number. Pick your town:
Or by what you would like help with: energy and tiredness · Also: hypnotherapists · Also: counsellors
How a practitioner can help
Once a medical cause has been ruled out or is being looked after, complementary and talking support can help you feel more energised day to day. Different people find different routes useful:
- Nutritional therapy. Looks at what you eat, when you eat and how your day is shaped, then suggests small, realistic changes.
- Hypnotherapy. Many people find it a calm way to wind down and sleep more deeply, and to ease the tension that keeps them wired.
- Counselling. Gives you time to talk through stress, worry or low mood that may be wearing you out.
What a nutrition session is like
The first appointment is mostly a conversation. You talk about your energy through the day, sleep, meals, drinks, medicines, stress and any test results your GP has shared. You may be asked to keep a food and energy diary for a week or so. Your practitioner then suggests a few simple changes, such as regular meals with protein, more variety, or a gentler caffeine habit. Follow-up sessions check how you are getting on and adjust the plan. Nobody should ask you to cut out whole food groups without a good reason, or to stop any medicine.
How many sessions and roughly what it costs
Many people have an initial session and then a few follow-ups spaced a couple of weeks apart, so changes have time to settle. Some feel they have what they need sooner, and some carry on for longer. Private nutritional therapy in the UK is commonly from £50 a session, and often more in big cities. Some practitioners offer a free first chat. Check the length of a session, whether a plan or tests cost extra, and the cancellation terms.
Who might it not suit, and a word on titles
Support like this is not a stand-in for a diagnosis. If you have a medical condition, such as diabetes, coeliac disease or an eating disorder, or you are pregnant, ask your GP or specialist team before changing how you eat. Note that dietitian is a legally protected title in the UK, and dietitians must be registered with the HCPC. The word nutritionist is not protected, so ask about training and which professional body someone belongs to. The CNHC register lists nutritional therapists who meet its standards.
This page is general information, not medical advice. If you have symptoms that haven't been checked, or you are under medical care, please talk to your GP as well.
More questions
Is it normal to feel tired all the time?
Everyone feels worn out now and then, but tiredness that lasts for weeks and does not ease with rest is worth getting checked. Your GP can look for common causes and rule out anything that needs medical care.
Could my diet be making me tired?
It can play a part. Skipped meals, a lot of sugary snacks and too little variety can make energy dip. A nutrition practitioner can help you make small changes, once your GP has checked for medical causes.
Should I take supplements for tiredness?
It is best to check with your GP or pharmacist first, because the right choice depends on your tests, your diet and any medicines you take. More is not always better, and a good practitioner will say so.
Can stress really make me this exhausted?
Yes. Staying on alert for long periods uses up energy and often disturbs sleep. Many people find relaxation, hypnotherapy or counselling helps them feel more rested.
Can I try anything myself in the meantime?
Many people find a steady bedtime, regular meals, daylight and a little gentle movement helps. A guided wind-down recording can also make evenings easier. If you are worried, still see your GP.