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9 Signs Of Chronic Fatigue + How To Regain Your Energy

Author:

Lissa Rankin, M.D.

November 23, 2020

Physician and New York Times bestselling author

By Lissa Rankin, M.D.

Physician and New York Times bestselling author

Lissa Rankin, M.D., is the New York Times bestselling author of "Mind Over Medicine," "The Fear Cure," and "The Anatomy of a Calling." She is a physician, speaker, founder of the Whole Health Medicine Institute, and mystic. Lissa has starred in two National Public Television specials and also leads workshops, both online and at retreat centers like Esalen and Kripalu.

November 23, 2020

After years of working with chronically fatigued 1 patients, I've found that there is hope for recovery, and it isn't necessarily what you think. Sure, getting 7-9 hours of sleep and eating the right foods will boost your energy levels, but these approaches aren't always enough to lead to lasting change.

Getting to the root of your chronic fatigue.

As a functional MD, I believe that there is more to chronic fatigue than meets the eye. Constant tiredness can be the body’s way of screaming for your attention, begging you to get back on track with the path of your greatest flow and joy.

In order to get to the root of your fatigue, it's essential that you ask yourself what your body needs to feel energized on a deeper level. Here are a few questions to consider:

What is my body saying no to?
Where is my life out of alignment with my truth?
What brave life change might be necessary to free me from chronic fatigue and maximize my energy levels?

The answers to these questions might be surprising—you may realize that you need to quit your job, end your toxic marriage, or finally take the steps necessary to pursue your vision.

Fear usually rides shotgun with these epiphanies, but when people have the strength to take inspired action in the direction of what makes them come alive, radical health changes can ensue.

Here are 9 subtle signs of chronic fatigue that I see often.

If you're nodding your head as you read this list, it's probably a sign that it's time to ask yourself these deeper questions, as well as take the standard steps to promote sleep like improving your bedroom environment, eating a better diet, or taking relaxing supplements.*

1. You never awaken naturally.

People who are well-rested tend to wake up spontaneously. If you’re always waking up to an alarm clock, you may not be getting enough sleep.

2. You feel tired upon awakening.

It’s normal to feel a bit groggy in those betwixt-and-between moments that surround your initial awakening, but you should start to feel energized within a few minutes of getting out of bed. If you have to drag yourself through your morning rituals, you may be chronically fatigued.

3. You dread exercise.

When you’re chronically fatigued, expending extra energy on exercise can feel impossible. You may find yourself either glumly slogging through every gym session, or you may just avoid them altogether.

4. You need pick-me-ups throughout the day.

If you rely on coffee or sugar to boost your energy throughout the day, chronic fatigue may be an issue for you.

5. You avoid making plans or cancel at the last minute.

People with chronic fatigue tend to be unreliable when it comes to commitments. Since fatigue can sneak up on you at inopportune moments, you may avoid committing to plans, or you may have a tendency to bail out at the last minute.

6. You fantasize about naps.

If you can’t make it through the day without jonesing for a siesta, your energy levels may not be optimized.

7. Your exhaustion is noticeable to others.

Ask your friends if you seem tired. Some people are stoic and may not mention it, but if you’re chronically fatigued, there’s a good chance your nearest and dearest have noticed.

8. Your sex life suffers.

It’s understandable that when you’re constantly tired, sex may seem less attractive than sleep. If you’re saying no to your partner a lot, there certainly may be other issues involved, but chronic fatigue is definitely hard on the libido.

9. You feel stressed and anxious most of the time.

We all want to feel good during our waking hours, and if you always feel tired, this may predispose you to stress and anxiety.

The bottom line.

Everyone has a unique purpose to find and fulfill. When you’re chronically fatigued, you may feel out of touch with the song you’re here to sing, and if you are aware of what that song is, you may be too tired to bring it into being. Questioning where you're out of alignment is the first step of getting your energy—and your passion—back.

Lissa Rankin, M.D.

Lissa Rankin, M.D., is the New York Times bestselling author of Mind Over Medicine, The Fear Cure, and The Anatomy of a Calling. She is a physician, speaker, founder of the Whole Health Medicine Institute, and mystic. Passionate about what makes people optimally healthy and what predisposes them to illness, she is on a mission to merge science and spirituality in a way that not only facilitates the health of the individual, but also uplifts the health of the collective. Bridging between seemingly disparate worlds, Lissa is a connector, collaborator, curator, and amplifier, broadcasting not only her unique visionary ideas, but also those of cutting edge visionaries she discerns and trusts, especially in the field of her latest research into "Sacred Medicine." Lissa has starred in two National Public Television specials and also leads workshops, both online and at retreat centers like Esalen and Kripalu. She lives in the San Francisco Bay area with her daughter. She blogs at LissaRankin.com and posts regularly on Facebook.