to be envious of those with energy and wonder where mine went.

[sarahsarah34]

I feel permanently exhausted. I go about my life in auto pilot but feel very vacant. I never wake up feeling refreshed in fact I'm not sure I have ever been refreshed. I don't feel depressed I just don't feel much at all.

I work full time but that saps all of my energy so my social life has vanished a bit. My house is in reasonable order and things get done I just have no desire to do above that ever. I have a mini battle every morning to leave my bed and don't wake up naturally really. I set an alarm even on my days off or I waste the day sleeping. Nothing awful has happened to trigger this but I am quite bored of it all now. I feel envious with those chirpy morning people who have full on lives and don't seem worn down!

[BoboChic]

How old are you? Do you sit down in the evening or do you rush around? How many hours do you sleep.

Don't underestimate the power of lying on the sofa...

[Maisy313]

That's how my mum felt and it turned out she had really bad sleep apnea, do you know if you snore?

[eurochick]

I'm the same. I've felt exhausted for at least a decade. Sorting out iron supplements for low ferritin stores helped a bit but I'm still knackered. I'm 39 and marvel at people with boundless energy.

[sarahsarah34]

I'm 34. Yes I sit on the sofa all evening every evening after my boring chores. I sleep at least 7 hours a night , but try to have more like 8-9 hours!

[Senpai]

My secret is coffee.

But you sound like you have an actual medical problem. Can you do a sleep study to see if you're sleeping alright?

[sarahsarah34]

I don't snore no. I used to be much more fun but the last 5-6 years have vanished in a tired haze.

[MrsMolesworth]

Hi

I feel very similar, and my ex-energetic close friend does too. It's a sign of perimenopause which can hit people at any time after the age of 40 roughly. Could also be anaemia.

Things that help (but not much)

Floradix liquid iron tonic. If you are anaemic this is the best cure.
Vit B tablets
More fresh air and direct sunlight
Not drinking alcohol
Not eating sugar or much fat
Drinking more water
Short bursts of High Intensity physical activity
Help at home (never got this but if I had the money I'd pay for a cleaner and gardener and to have the laundry done.)

[sarahsarah34]

Not even red bull had much effect

[sarahsarah34]

thanks I'm only 34 so hoping it's not menopause. I do all of the above bar exercise and help (wish I could afford help but then I'd be spending even more of my life on the sofa ).

[LeftMyRidingCropInTheMortuary]

Hi, OP, I could have written this. I'm 32.
My fitbit shows I sleep like the dead for up to 12 hours unless I'm woken by an alarm (or my new cat!)
I think I just enjoy sleeping and I have never been an energetic person. I marvel at those who go out of a Friday night and then socialise etc all weekend. Add to this I'm an introvert.
I'm on antidepressants so they do make you tired But I don't drink alcohol or caffeine and have a healthy diet.
I probably need more exercise (hence the fitbit) but I cba when I enjoy sofa/bed so much.

[futureme]

I'm like this but don't work full time
I have me/CFS but I think modern life means a lot of people are just tired. Myy baby had sleep apnea and is much better now her tonsils/adenoids out.

[luciole15]

Sounds like me, so marking place for answer!

Have you had your thyroid tested? Are you pregnant?

Giving up caffeine has helped me a bit. Now it actually works when I need a boost so use it sparingly. Also in an emergency pink Lucozade has me zipping about but v high calories.

[sarahsarah34]

Definetly not pregnant, would need to muster the energy to a) find a man b) have sex ! A part of me looks forward to slobbing out but then when I've wasted a weekend doing it I feel a bit pissed off that I've wasted yet another week ;)

[hopelesslydevotedtoGu]

What helped me:
No screens after 9pm- I go to sleep an hour earlier and sleep much much better
No coffee after noon
Finding out my ferritin was low
A lumie light box for a burst of "sunlight" at breakfast time in the winter

What helped DH:
Regular exercise (first two weeks tough to find the energy, but after that he feels much more energetic)
Me nagging him off the sofa at weekends!

[c4kedout]

GP & blood tests. might be as simple as low iron. but you won't know unless u get it tested.

[BrandNewAndImproved]

I'm like this at the moment.

I used to enjoy waking up early and now I really struggle to get out of bed. I can't be bothered to do anything and I could waste my weekend sleeping if it wasn't for the dc.

I've had blood tests and there's nothing wrong with me that they can tell from that.

[goddessofsmallthings]

Make an appointment with your GP to get your blood tested for common deficiencies which can cause tiredness/lack of energy and invest in a bottle of DLux Vitamin D Oral Spray (cheap as chips on eBay) to keep by your toothbrush so that you're sure to use it every day - it tastes good too!

[MrPorky]

I second GP and blood tests etc.

However, I know it's not what anyone wants to hear, but cutting out refined sugar brings a massive improvement to my energy levels (after the first 7-10 days, which are hell)

[longdiling]

Exercise definitely helps me. It's totally counter-intuitive at times but the more I exercise the more energy I have. When I don't exercise I get trapped in a downward spiral of slothfulness. Might be worth getting checked out at the doctors just in case?

[ohmyeyebettymartin]

Lots of good ideas for things to rule out listed above.

Also yy to MrPorky re: sugar (and other things like refined flour). I seriously recommend you check out a straightforward book like Eat Nourish Glow by Amelia Freer for example (get it from the library perhaps?) or similar, and take a look at the dietary advice. It's really realistic and general. Might be an eye-opener (or not, but it's another thing to rule out).

[SlipperyJack]

I'm like this. Some days the fatigue makes me almost unable to sit upright. I've been to and from the GP for over 12 months - no anaemia, no low Vit B, possibly perimenopausal but hormone levels check out ok, no obvious inflammatory stuff, nothing else going on. Current money is on endometriosis but who knows. It's a pisser and no mistake - you have my sympathies.

[KatieLatie]

You take iron supplements? Low iron would be my guess.

I would say get some exercise and get outdoors more: may feel like a real chore, but will benefit you. Also try and get more than 7 hours sleep.

This time of year IS tough - as the nights draw in and it gets chillier, the sofa/bed do beckon...

Do you have kids? That does sap the energy/sanity out of most people..

I am 41 and have pretty good energy, but I dont work (SAHM). I don't sit down much between 7.30am and 8pm, though, then I do tend to chill (after DS is in bed), but don't see a lot wrong with that.

[sarahsarah34]

I have DD15 who is the complete opposite and is a social butterfly! I take those all in one type vitamins but I will go searching for some of your suggestions tomorrow. I really miss having energy and worry if I'm like this in 30s by the time I'm in my 60s I'll be asleep at least 23 hours a day . Exercise sounds like hell but I'm going to try and force myself to do something, life is passing me by!

[KatieLatie]

Good attitude. It is really true: we only live once and you will never be 34 again. It isn't all massively downhill (honestly early 40s aren't too bad so far...), but life is what you make it.

There are some very fit, very active, very sociable people in their 50s/60s/70s and beyond out there. There are also some very "old" people in their late 40s/50s. They say with your body (like your mind) "use it or loose it".

Find some "exercise" (whether it is gym, swimming, netball, Zumba, salsa or whatever) that is fun and preferably drag a friend with you - make it a laugh not a chore.

[SlipperyJack]

Be warned - if you see your GP, they'll raise the possibility of depression. Mine did. I pointed out, with some asperity, that I'd had depression and therefore knew the difference: depression made me cry and google painless ways to kill myself but it didn't make me fall asleep propped up in an office toilet cubicle.