When “tired” becomes a daily baseline, it’s time to look deeper than quick fixes
Fatigue can be frustrating because it’s both common and complex. One person’s fatigue is driven by sleep disruption, another’s by nutrient depletion, hormones, chronic stress, inflammation, or an underlying medical condition. At La Mer Holistic Medicine, we view fatigue as a whole-body signal—an invitation to evaluate what your body needs to recover energy, resilience, and clarity in a safe, medically grounded way.
Important note: Ongoing fatigue can sometimes reflect conditions that need prompt medical attention. If fatigue is new and severe, comes with chest pain, shortness of breath, fainting, black/tarry stools, unintended weight loss, fever, or thoughts of self-harm, seek urgent care or call 911.
Why fatigue happens (and why it’s rarely “just one thing”)
Fatigue is your body’s way of saying that energy production, recovery, or regulation is off-balance. Functional and integrative medicine focuses on patterns: sleep quality, stress physiology, nutrient status, hormones, immune/inflammatory load, digestion, and musculoskeletal strain. The goal is not to chase symptoms with random supplements, but to identify drivers and build a plan you can sustain.
1) Sleep quality issues (even if you get “enough hours”)
The CDC highlights that adults typically need 7+ hours of sleep and that poor sleep quality can show up as difficulty falling asleep, waking during the night, or feeling tired despite adequate time in bed. If you’re persistently sleepy, unrefreshed, snore loudly, or have witnessed pauses in breathing, a sleep disorder (including sleep apnea) may be part of the picture. (cdc.gov)
2) Stress physiology and “wired-but-tired” patterns
Chronic stress can affect sleep architecture, appetite signals, inflammation, and attention. Many high-performing professionals feel alert late at night, wake unrefreshed, and rely on caffeine to push through—then crash later. A whole-person plan considers nervous system regulation, breathwork, movement, and mind-body support alongside medical evaluation.
3) Nutrient gaps, digestion, and energy production
Iron status, B vitamins, vitamin D, magnesium, protein intake, and gut health can influence energy and stamina. It’s not always about “taking more”—it’s about identifying what’s low, what’s not absorbing well, and what fits your physiology and medications.
4) Hormone shifts across the lifespan
Perimenopause/menopause, low testosterone, thyroid dysfunction, and blood sugar dysregulation can all present as fatigue, brain fog, sleep disturbance, or low motivation. A thoughtful evaluation often includes symptom mapping plus targeted labs to avoid over- or under-treating.
5) Pain, posture strain, and recovery debt
Chronic neck, mid-back, or low-back tension can create a constant “background load” on the nervous system—draining energy and disrupting sleep. Addressing biomechanics and stress responses together can be more effective than treating either in isolation.
A practical, step-by-step plan to start reducing fatigue
If you’re in Simi Valley or nearby Ventura County communities, these steps can help you organize your symptoms and make your next appointment more productive—whether you’re seeing a conventional provider, an integrative clinic, or building a collaborative care team.
Step 1: Define your fatigue pattern (2 minutes/day for 7 days)
Step 2: Screen for sleep issues that commonly masquerade as “low energy”
The CDC notes that signs of poor sleep quality include trouble falling asleep, repeated waking, and feeling tired even after enough sleep. If daytime sleepiness is significant, or if there’s loud snoring/gasping/choking sounds at night, ask your provider about a sleep evaluation. (cdc.gov)
Step 3: Build an “energy-supportive” morning routine (without perfection)
For many people, mornings set blood sugar stability and nervous system tone for the day.
Step 4: Target testing instead of guessing
Depending on your history and symptoms, a provider may consider thyroid markers, iron status (including ferritin), B12, vitamin D, inflammation markers, metabolic labs, and more. The right plan is individualized—especially if you’re already taking supplements or medications.
Step 5: Support recovery with body-based care
For clients whose fatigue is tied to pain, tension, stress overload, or poor sleep, integrative care such as chiropractic support and mind-body modalities may help the nervous system “downshift,” improving resilience over time.
Did you know? Quick fatigue facts that change how you plan care
Sleep quality matters as much as sleep quantity. People can spend 8 hours in bed and still have unrefreshing sleep if there’s fragmentation, stress, or a sleep disorder. (cdc.gov)
Daytime sleepiness is a symptom worth evaluating. If you can fall asleep quickly when you get a chance to nap, that can be a clue that sleep is not restorative. (cdc.gov)
Supplements aren’t always benign. Even common nutrients (like vitamin D) have upper limits and can interact with medications; dosing should match your labs and clinical picture. (ods.od.nih.gov)
Optional comparison table: “Quick fixes” vs. a functional medicine fatigue plan
| Approach | What it looks like | Common outcome | A more helpful alternative |
|---|---|---|---|
| Caffeine escalation | More coffee/energy drinks to “power through” | Sleep disruption, anxiety, afternoon crashes | Stabilize sleep + protein breakfast + evaluate root causes |
| Random supplement stacks | Adding products without labs or a plan | Expense, interactions, inconsistent results | Targeted testing + personalized dosing and follow-up |
| One-size exercise plans | High intensity every day despite burnout | Overtraining, more fatigue, poor recovery | Right-sized movement + recovery metrics + stress support |
A local angle for Simi Valley: why fatigue is so common for high-demand schedules
Many Simi Valley professionals balance long commutes, family logistics, and high cognitive workload. When evenings become the only “quiet time,” sleep gets squeezed, meals become reactive, and recovery is delayed to weekends. If you recognize this pattern, you’re not behind—you’re human. The next step is building a routine that protects sleep, stabilizes energy, and reduces physiological stress without requiring a total lifestyle overhaul.
Local care note: La Mer Holistic Medicine serves Ventura County communities and can collaborate on integrative strategies that fit real life—supporting mind, body, and long-term vitality.
How La Mer Holistic Medicine can support fatigue concerns
Special Testing: When appropriate, targeted testing can clarify drivers behind fatigue so you can stop guessing and start measuring progress. Explore Special Testing
BioTe Hormone Optimization: If symptoms and labs point toward a hormone component, medically guided bioidentical hormone optimization may be part of a broader plan. Learn about BioTe
Holistic Care & Mind-Body Support: Nervous system support (including Reiki and other mind-body approaches) can complement medical care—especially when fatigue is tied to stress, sleep disruption, or chronic tension. See Holistic Care options
Cognitive & Aging Health: If fatigue overlaps with brain fog, memory concerns, or “not feeling like yourself,” a cognitive-focused approach can help organize next steps. Maintaining Cognitive Function
Ready for a calm, personalized next step?
If fatigue is affecting your work, mood, or relationships, you don’t need to “tough it out.” A whole-person plan can clarify what’s driving your symptoms and support steady, realistic improvement.
FAQ: Fatigue, functional medicine, and integrative care
How long is “too long” to feel fatigued?
If fatigue lasts more than a few weeks, is getting worse, or interferes with daily function, it’s worth evaluating. Earlier assessment can prevent months of trial-and-error and help rule out conditions that require specific treatment.
I sleep 8 hours—why am I still exhausted?
Sleep quality can be poor even when sleep duration is adequate. The CDC lists signs like repeated waking, trouble falling asleep, and feeling tired despite enough sleep; sleep disorders can also fragment rest. (cdc.gov)
Should I start supplements for fatigue on my own?
Supplements can help in the right context, but they can also be unnecessary or interact with medications. For example, high vitamin D intake can cause toxicity and certain medications can affect vitamin D levels—so it’s best to match supplementation to labs and medical guidance. (ods.od.nih.gov)
What does “functional medicine” mean for fatigue?
It means looking for root drivers and patterns—sleep, stress, hormones, nutrient status, inflammation, and lifestyle factors—then building a plan with measurable follow-up rather than relying on a single one-size-fits-all solution.
Can stress-reduction approaches really help fatigue?
For many people, yes—especially when fatigue is paired with insomnia, tension, digestive changes, or feeling “wired.” Stress physiology affects sleep quality and recovery, so mind-body support can complement medical workups and nutrition plans.