Why You’re Always Tired (And Why It’s Not Your Fault)
I’d wake up after 8 hours of sleep and still feel like I hadn’t slept at all.

I’d chug coffee, push through the morning, and then—like clockwork—hit that 3PM crash. I told myself I was just “lazy” or “not motivated enough.” But the truth? It wasn’t a lack of discipline. It was my body waving a giant red flag.

If you’ve ever Googled “why am I tired all the time,” hear me: it’s not just stress, and it’s definitely not your fault.

The Hormone Connection
Your hormones are like the body’s internal managers. When they’re balanced, energy feels steady, sleep feels restorative, and focus comes more naturally. But when they’re out of balance, exhaustion creeps in—no matter how much coffee you pour into your mug.

Cortisol (your stress hormone) and insulin (your blood sugar hormone) are two of the biggest players here. If they’re spiking and crashing all day, your energy will do the same. Pair that with low thyroid function, imbalanced sex hormones, or nutrient deficiencies, and you’ve got a recipe for constant fatigue.

Signs It’s Hormonal (Not Just Stress or Laziness)
  • You sleep 7–9 hours but wake up groggy.
  • You get “wired but tired” at night, unable to fall asleep even though you’re exhausted.
  • You crave sugar or caffeine just to get through the day.
  • You feel more like yourself at certain times of the month than others.
Sound familiar? These aren’t signs that you’re unmotivated. They’re clues that your body needs support.

What You Can Do About It
The good news is that your energy isn’t gone—it’s just buried under hormone chaos. A few simple steps can make a big difference:

  1. Balance blood sugar. Pair protein, fat, and fiber at meals to avoid energy spikes and crashes.
  2. Prioritize real rest. Create a bedtime routine that supports deep, restorative sleep.
  3. Support stress hormones. Gentle movement, breathwork, or even stepping outside for fresh air can help bring cortisol back in check.
  4. Track your cycle. Notice if fatigue flares at certain phases—your hormones might be trying to tell you something.
The Bottom Line
Feeling tired all the time isn’t a personality flaw. It’s your body asking for help. Once you understand the signals your hormones are sending, you can finally stop blaming yourself—and start making changes that restore your energy.

Because you don’t need more coffee. You need balance.

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Meet Leah Negrin

 
I am a bold, beautiful, sometimes timid, usually happy, essential oil, nutrition junkie. Although at 39 I feel as if I've had several careers over a lifetime (or at least sometimes when I look back at my resume that is what shines through). I've been a paralegal, an office manager, an administrative assistant, worked in commercial lending and have finally landed on nutrition.

My journey to nutrition started many years ago when my sister was diagnosed with celiac disease and food had to change for the family. From there, along my own health journey I’ve helped people not only figure out what to eat but how to do it so that it can work for them sustainably. For almost seven years I’ve been counseling people on their nutrition and weight loss journeys. 

Finally getting some sunshine in Southern California *Photo credit  Brittany Hassett 

I am knowledgeable about what purpose food serves your body and I focus on finding sustainable options when it comes to food; this also led to my love of essential oils. I had the opportunity to attend a workshop where a registered dietitian spoke about using essential oils in her practice to help her patients. I was floored. I knew that #plantsheal but I didn't realize that others in the 'conventional' medical community thought that as well!! Learning that it was possible to incorporate these magical little bottles gave me a huge sense of hope.


Alina, myself and Caitlin (oily bffs) *Photo credit Anne Negrin

 
As I learned more about these oils I was diagnosed with increased intestinal permeability or as many of us know it, leaky gut. Leaky gut has been around for quite awhile but many of us are just learning what this is or why this is even more common these days than ever before. Many issues can be related to leaky gut including autoimmune diseases. Receiving this diagnosis just led me down a path further to learn about nutrition and how to best serve my body and take care of myself.


Enjoying a vegan ice cream cone in Budapest! *Photo credit to Michelle Owen 

Since birthing our sweet baby boy at home earlier this year I’ve been incredibly passionate about helping other women too who are pregnant and new mothers with their nutrition. Eating healthy for your pregnant body and your postpartum self is a game changer for both mother and baby.

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