Ask anyone who deals with chronic fatigue, and they’ll tell you that it completely zaps the joy out of life. I remember when I was batting with this exact same thing. Dreading my alarm clock each morning, because I knew it was going to be another day of fighting through the exhaustion & and just trying to make it through the day. It was awful, especially since I had NO CLUE what was causing it. I’ve learned a lot since that time - and because of those things, I’m now at a place now where I truly feel alive and on FIRE every single day. If your energy sucks right now, here’s the top causes I’ve discovered of why you’re feeling drained that have NOTHING to do with sleep. 1️⃣ Poor digestion leading to nutrient deficiencies. We run lab tests for clients that look at how well they’re actually breaking down their food and absorbing nutrients... and most of them have malabsorption issues to some degree. Taking digestive enzymes with betaine HCL & bile to break down your food, and adding in a broad spectrum multivitamin/mineral can be a game changer. 2️⃣ Leaky gut leading to chronic inflammation This is another thing we see on lab tests all the time. When your gut lining becomes “leaky”, it creates a one-way highway for harmful substances to enter your bloodstream, causing constant inflammation in the body. Incorporating more prebiotic-rich foods along with a spore-based probiotic would be a great place to start. 3️⃣ Poor diet leading to blood sugar imbalances When you have crazy blood sugar spikes & dips throughout the day, it’s going to cause huge fluctuations in your energy levels. Aim to get at least 30 grams of protein with each meal along with some healthy fats & fiber. This helps to stabilize your blood sugar & energy throughout the day. 4️⃣ Chronic stress leading to hormone imbalances When cortisol (your stress hormone) becomes dysregulated in your body, this eventually leads to other imbalances like... - Low testosterone - High/low estrogen or progesterone - Slow thyroid An easy place to start here is by creating a “no phone” policy the first and last hour of your day, and instead use that time to journal, write goals, and practice gratitude 5️⃣ Lack of water/minerals leading to dehydration This one seems silly, but a lot of people just aren’t drinking enough water each day. Add 1/2 teaspoon of Celtic sea salt to 16 oz. of water and drink that first thing every morning. 6️⃣ Hidden toxins in your environment For myself (and even more for Callie), mold was a huge contributor to our fatigue. If you feel like nothing you’re doing is working, it’s worth ordering a urine mycotoxins test to see if this is a factor for you. 7️⃣ Chronic dopamine depletion Dopamine is your body’s motivation chemical. When your entire day is filled with quick dopamine hits from social media, video games, p*rn, etc... then eventually you get to a place where you feel completely unmotivated to do anything that requires delayed gratification. Give yourself a 7 day “dopamine detox” and see if you notice any improvements. Was this helpful?? Let me know in the comments! #fatigue #chronicfatigue