Page 16 - IFV Issue 8 August 2026

Lifestyle

THE REAL REASON YOU’RE TIRED ALL THE TIME

(And it’s probably not your job…)

“I’m just exhausted.” stairs? Or oddly tired after carrying recovery, and movement plays a big role
groceries?
in that.
I f that sounds familiar, you’re not alone. That’s not “just being busy.” That’s fitness. Sleep: Your secret energy weapon
Think of your body like a car:
Between early mornings, school runs,
Sleep isn’t just rest – it’s when your body:
• Fit body = cruising in 5th gear
long workdays and trying to squeeze in
some kind of social life – it’s easy to blame • Unfit body = stuck in 1st gear • Repairs muscles
your schedule. If your fitness is low, even simple tasks • Resets hormones
Deadlines. Emails. Meetings. Life. use a huge amount of your energy. • Clears brain fog
But here’s the surprising part: So, by the time you get home… you’re • Recharges your system
Your desk job might not be the real finished. Even one bad night can leave you
problem. Your body runs on movement feeling flat, unmotivated and drained.
(Not coffee). Stress isn’t the problem – Being Here’s the good news:
Most people think energy comes from stuck in it is Regular exercise improves sleep quality
food… or caffeine. But your body creates Stress isn’t bad. You need it. and how energised you feel during the
energy through movement. Cortisol (your stress hormone) helps you day.
Your muscles are like little power wake up, focus and perform.
stations. When you move, they release The biggest myth (That’s keeping
special messengers called myokines The issue? you stuck)
that talk to your brain, boost your mood, You never switch it off. “I’ll start exercising when I have more
reduce inflammation and help your body Long days + little movement + poor sleep energy.” It sounds logical… but it’s
function better. = your body stays in “go mode” all the time. backwards.
When you sit all day? That whole system That leads to: Movement is what creates energy. Not
goes quiet. Less movement = less energy. • Poor sleep the other way around.
• Low energy You don’t need:
Why everyday life feels so hard • Feeling wired but tired • Two-hour gym sessions
Ever feel out of breath walking up the The fix isn’t less stress – it’s better • Marathon training
• A complete life overhaul

You just need to start small:
• A 20-minute walk around the estate
• A short strength session
• Standing up and moving every hour

Final thought
If you’re reaching for your third coffee by
mid-morning… It might not be caffeine
your body needs.
It might be movement, because your
body wasn’t designed to sit all day.
It was designed to move and when it
does energy follows.

Leigh-Mari Niemand
078 781 1598 /
leighmariniemand@gmail.com
Biokineticist & Nutritionist

14 • August 2026 • The Villager