{"id":5855,"date":"2025-09-26T13:39:26","date_gmt":"2025-09-26T13:39:26","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/curiousdrive.com\/?p=5855"},"modified":"2025-10-01T21:34:01","modified_gmt":"2025-10-01T21:34:01","slug":"tired-all-the-time-a-medical-biochemist-explains-how-to-reset-your-body","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/curiousdrive.com\/index.php\/2025\/09\/26\/tired-all-the-time-a-medical-biochemist-explains-how-to-reset-your-body\/","title":{"rendered":"Tired all the time? A medical biochemist explains how to reset your body"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Are you struggling to stay awake? You’re not alone (Picture: Getty Images)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Us Brits are a sleep-deprived bunch, with half of the nation surviving on just four hours of kip per night.<\/a><\/p>\n

But we can’t simply go to bed earlier to feel less tired. A study by Aviva<\/a> revealed that around one in three people in the UK suffer from insomnia<\/a> and two thirds of adults have disrupted sleep.<\/p>\n

So, what is causing this mass sleep<\/a> problem, and how can it be solved?<\/p>\n

Metro <\/strong>spoke to Jane Ollis<\/a>, medical biochemist, environmental scientist, and founder of MindSpire<\/a>, who listed seven reasons why you might constantly feel tired.<\/p>\n

1. Your cortisol levels are too high<\/h2>\n
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Your stress hormone may be the reason for feeling so tired (Picture: Getty Images)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Cortisol<\/a>, your body\u2019s ‘stress hormone,’ ramps up at any sign of stress<\/a>, keeping you on high alert, even if the ‘danger’ is just a busy day. <\/p>\n

Think we can all relate to this one. Jane explains that ‘chronic high cortisol disrupts your sleep-wake cycle, making restful sleep harder to come by.’<\/p>\n

To turn down cortisol before bed, she recommends deep breathing, or trying a quick meditation to let your body know it\u2019s safe to wind down. <\/p>\n

2. Your anxiety levels are high<\/h2>\n
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Anxiety is not your friend when it comes to beating fatigue (Picture: Getty Images)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

As Jane so perfectly describes it, ‘anxiety<\/a> is the brain\u2019s late-night DJ’ and loves to play a set just as you’re settling in.<\/p>\n

From replaying worries to going over the final details for that big meeting at work tomorrow, anxiety keeps us in a ‘high-alert state.’ Which ‘drains energy and makes it harder to relax,’ she says. <\/p>\n

To quiet the mind, Jane advises jotting down a worry list or a quick to-do list before bed. This can help ‘clear mental clutter<\/a> and keep your brain from reminding you at 2am’.<\/p>\n

3. Your hormones are all over the place<\/h2>\n
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Your hormones as they could have an impact on your sleep routine (Picture: Getty Images)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

‘Fluctuating hormones, like those during your menstrual cycle<\/a> or menopause<\/a>, can seriously mess with sleep,’ states Jane.<\/p>\n

She adds that low oestrogen – especially during menopause – can trigger hot flashes<\/a> and restlessness, both of which can contribute to a poor night’s sleep. <\/p>\n

The solution to these unpleasant but very<\/em> recurring problems, you ask? Jane says that keeping your room cool, wearing breathable clothes, and sticking to a calming bedtime routine can help you sleep better during hormonal changes<\/a>.<\/p>\n

4. You’re spending too much time sitting down\/not moving<\/h2>\n
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Being active helps you sleep (Picture: Getty Images)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Granted, there’s not much many of us can do about having to work for eight hours a day at our laptops – often confined to office chairs or sofas. We’ve got to pay the bills, after all.<\/p>\n

However, there are ways that you can move your body more during working hours<\/a>, whether it be taking regular standing and stretching breaks, or fitting in a walk around the block on your lunch hour. <\/p>\n

‘Sedentary days tend to make for restless nights,’ explains Jane, who adds that ‘regular physical activity<\/a>, especially moderate aerobic exercise, improves sleep quality by increasing time in slow-wave, deep sleep.’<\/p>\n

She also says it helps reduce anxiety and low mood, both notorious for disrupting rest. <\/p>\n

‘Just avoid vigorous workouts close to bedtime, as they can delay sleep onset,’ she adds <\/p>\n

5. You’re absorbing too much blue light<\/h2>\n
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Your body reacts well to light-dark cycles (Picture: Getty Images)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

‘Your circadian rhythm loves a consistent light-dark cycle<\/a>,’ schools Jane.<\/p>\n

However, blue light from screens, be it our phones, laptops, or TVs, delays melatonin<\/a> release, keeping the brain awake long past bedtime. So, Jane says it’s important to ‘aim to switch off screens an hour or two before bed, or use a warm light setting.’ We know you’ve heard this one before, but you need to actually do it.<\/p>\n

And in the morning? She says it’s best to ‘expose yourself to natural or yellow light to reset your body clock<\/a> and signal it\u2019s time to be awake.’ To do this, just get outside.<\/p>\n

6. You’re eating too late<\/h2>\n
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Cut the late night snacks to help your sleep routine (Picture: Getty Images)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

If you’re someone who loves a late-night snack<\/a> – especially unhealthy choices like crisps, sweets, or other processed foods – just know that it might be contributing to your sleep problems. <\/p>\n

Jane stresses: ‘Eating too close to bedtime can disrupt sleep as your body focuses on digestion instead of winding down. Aim to finish meals a couple of hours before bed to improve sleep quality.’<\/p>\n

This gives your body a chance to shift into rest mode and helps avoid midnight wake-ups from indigestion<\/p>\n

7. You don’t have a regular sleep routine<\/h2>\n
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Don’t try and fight your natural body clock (Picture: Getty Images)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

‘Routine is king.’ says Jane, who encourages everyone to ‘respect their internal clock.’<\/p>\n

A regular sleep schedule is key to training your circadian rhythm<\/a>, so going to bed and waking up at the same time daily helps your body fall asleep faster and stay asleep. <\/p>\n

The expert’s advice? <\/p>\n

‘Build a bedtime routine with calming activities, limit screens, and create a restful sleep environment to help keep your internal clock on track.’ <\/p>\n

Do you have a story to share?<\/strong><\/p>\n

Get in touch by emailing MetroLifestyleTeam@Metro.co.uk<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n


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