When “tired” becomes your normal, it’s time for a deeper look

Persistent fatigue can feel frustrating because it’s often invisible on the outside—but it can affect everything: your productivity, mood, workouts, relationships, and sense of self. At La Mer Holistic Medicine, we approach fatigue as a whole-person signal, not a character flaw. Functional and holistic medicine aim to identify why your energy is low and create a realistic plan to restore it—mind, body, and spirit—while keeping safety and evidence-based decision-making at the center of care.
Quick note: Fatigue can be caused by medical conditions that need prompt attention. If you have chest pain, fainting, severe shortness of breath, black/tarry stools, rapidly worsening weakness, or new neurological symptoms, seek urgent care.

Why fatigue is so common (and why quick fixes often fail)

Fatigue is rarely one thing. It’s often a “stack” of contributors—sleep debt, blood sugar swings, chronic stress, nutrient gaps, inflammation, hormone shifts, and sometimes hidden issues like sleep apnea or thyroid dysfunction. When care focuses only on a single symptom (more caffeine, a new supplement, “push through”), the root drivers can stay in place.

A functional medicine lens looks for patterns across systems: energy production (mitochondria), stress response (HPA axis), immune balance, hormones, gut health, and musculoskeletal and nervous system regulation. Holistic care adds what’s often missing: your lived experience—how stress, grief, workload, purpose, and nervous-system load shape the body’s ability to recover.

A clinician’s “root-cause” checklist for fatigue

Here are common categories we evaluate when fatigue is persistent or affecting daily function. This isn’t a self-diagnosis list—it’s a map of where the “why” often lives.
1) Sleep quantity & quality
Even “8 hours in bed” can be non-restorative if there’s insomnia, fragmented sleep, alcohol disruption, or sleep apnea. Most adults need at least 7 hours per night, and many do best closer to 7–9 hours. (cdc.gov)
2) Blood sugar, meals, and “energy crashes”
Skipping protein at breakfast, relying on sweet snacks, or long gaps between meals can create a rollercoaster—wired mid-morning, drained mid-afternoon. Nutrition strategies that stabilize glucose often improve energy and mood within weeks.
3) Nutrient status (iron, B12, vitamin D, magnesium)
Low iron stores (with or without anemia), B12 insufficiency, or vitamin D deficiency can blunt energy and recovery—especially in busy professionals and menstruating women. The goal isn’t “take everything,” it’s targeted support based on symptoms, history, and testing.
4) Thyroid and metabolic health
Thyroid dysfunction can present as fatigue, brain fog, dry skin, hair changes, and cold intolerance—yet labs need proper interpretation in context. We also look at metabolic markers that influence stamina and inflammation.
5) Hormone transitions and optimization (when appropriate)
Perimenopause/menopause, postpartum shifts, and low testosterone symptoms in men can overlap with fatigue, sleep disruption, and mood changes. If hormone therapy is considered, best practice includes a careful diagnosis, appropriate lab evaluation, and a structured monitoring plan. (endocrine.org)
6) Stress physiology and nervous system load
Chronic stress doesn’t just feel mental—it can change sleep architecture, digestion, inflammation, pain sensitivity, and motivation. Mind-body protocols (breathwork, guided relaxation, somatic tools) help many people shift from “tired but wired” to restorative recovery.
7) Musculoskeletal and energy drain from pain
Persistent tension, spinal dysfunction, and pain can reduce sleep quality and increase fatigue through nervous-system activation. Chiropractic care and supportive bodywork can be a meaningful part of an integrative plan when indicated.

What a functional medicine fatigue workup can look like

A thorough fatigue plan typically blends story + exam + labs + lifestyle realities. The “right” testing depends on your symptoms, medications, cycle stage, and health history. At La Mer Holistic Medicine, this often includes:

  • Foundational labs to rule out common medical contributors (and to create a safe baseline before adding therapies).
  • Special testing when indicated (for example, deeper nutrient, metabolic, or inflammation assessment).
  • Sleep and recovery review (schedule, caffeine timing, alcohol, evening light exposure, snoring, waking unrefreshed).
  • Stress + nervous system assessment to choose the right mind-body tools (not one-size-fits-all).
If you’d like to understand the types of advanced evaluations we offer, explore our Special Testing services.

Quick comparison: “common fixes” vs. root-cause care

Approach What it targets When it helps Common limitation
Caffeine + willpower Alertness Short-term deadlines Doesn’t address sleep, hormones, nutrients, stress load
Random supplements “More energy” promises Occasional mild deficiencies Can miss the real driver; may interact with meds
Functional medicine assessment Systems + patterns Persistent fatigue, complex symptoms Takes time and a personalized plan
Holistic nervous-system support Stress response + recovery “Tired but wired,” anxiety + insomnia patterns Works best when integrated with medical evaluation

A practical 4-week “energy reset” (safe, realistic, and not extreme)

While testing and personalization matter, many people feel better by tightening the basics—without going to extremes.

Week 1: Sleep first
Aim for a consistent sleep/wake time and a realistic target of 7+ hours. If you wake unrefreshed, snore, or have morning headaches, ask about screening for sleep-disordered breathing. (cdc.gov)
Week 2: Stabilize mornings
Build a protein-forward breakfast, hydrate early, and delay caffeine 60–90 minutes after waking if you’re prone to jitters or crashes.
Week 3: Add gentle movement + pain support
Choose daily low-to-moderate movement that improves circulation without draining you. If pain or tension is part of your fatigue story, consider integrative support like chiropractic care as part of a broader plan.
Week 4: Nervous system “downshift” practice
Pair one short daily mind-body tool (5–10 minutes) with an evening wind-down routine. Many people notice fewer late-night second winds and better morning clarity.
For a whole-person approach that can include mind-body protocols and restorative modalities, visit our Holistic Care page.

Local angle: fatigue in Camarillo life—commutes, calendars, and chronic “on” mode

Many people in Camarillo and across Ventura County are balancing demanding work schedules, family responsibilities, and commute time—often with little true recovery. Add irregular meals between meetings, late-night screen time, and weekend “catch-up sleep,” and fatigue becomes a pattern instead of a one-off.

Integrative care can be especially helpful here because it doesn’t require perfection. The goal is to build an energy foundation that works in real life—so you can show up at work, feel present at home, and still have something left for yourself.

Ready for a personalized fatigue plan?

If fatigue has become your baseline—or you’re tired of guessing—La Mer Holistic Medicine can help you create a thoughtful, step-by-step plan using functional medicine, holistic support, and targeted testing when appropriate. Learn more about our team and philosophy anytime on our About page.

FAQ: Fatigue & integrative care

How do I know if my fatigue is “normal” stress or something medical?
If fatigue lasts more than a few weeks, changes your functioning, or comes with symptoms like shortness of breath, palpitations, heavy menstrual bleeding, weight changes, persistent low mood, or unrefreshing sleep, it’s worth a medical evaluation. Many “stress symptoms” have treatable physiologic contributors.
What’s the first change that tends to help the most?
Sleep consistency is often the highest-return starting point. Most adults do best at 7+ hours nightly, and many benefit from 7–9. (nhlbi.nih.gov)
Can hormone imbalance cause fatigue even if my labs are “normal”?
Hormones can contribute, but interpretation should consider symptoms, timing (especially around perimenopause), medications, and what “normal” range is being used. If hormone therapy is considered, diagnosis and ongoing monitoring matter for safety. (endocrine.org)
Do I need special testing for fatigue?
Not always. Many people start with foundational labs and lifestyle assessment, then add advanced testing if symptoms persist or if your history suggests a more complex pattern. When used well, special testing helps create a targeted plan rather than guessing.
How long does it take to feel better?
Some people notice improvements within 2–4 weeks once sleep, nutrition, and stress physiology are addressed. More complex fatigue patterns can take longer—especially when hormones, nutrient repletion, or chronic inflammation are involved. A staged plan prevents overwhelm and supports lasting change.

Glossary (simple definitions)

Functional Medicine
A root-cause, systems-based approach that looks for why symptoms happen and builds a personalized plan using history, labs, and lifestyle interventions.
Sleep Quality
How restorative sleep is—not just how long you sleep. Frequent waking, snoring/gasping, and waking unrefreshed can signal a sleep disorder. (nichd.nih.gov)
HPA Axis
The communication pathway between the hypothalamus, pituitary, and adrenal glands that helps regulate stress response, energy, and sleep-wake rhythms.
Bioidentical Hormone Therapy
Hormone therapy using hormones with the same molecular structure as those produced in the body. Appropriateness and monitoring depend on symptoms, labs, goals, and risk profile.