When tiredness, brain fog and feeling "not quite yourself" might be worth a closer look
Life can be busy. Work, family, responsibilities and the pressure of trying to keep everything going can leave us feeling exhausted.
So when we start experiencing tiredness, poor sleep, brain fog or a lack of motivation, it's easy to put it down to stress.
And sometimes, stress really is playing a big part.
But persistent symptoms can have many different causes. Nutritional deficiencies, poor sleep, lifestyle factors and certain health conditions can all produce symptoms that can feel surprisingly similar.
So how do you know when it's "just stress" — and when it might be worth looking a little deeper?
What Does Stress Feel Like?
Stress is a normal response to pressure. In short bursts it can actually be useful, helping us respond to challenges and demanding situations.
The problem comes when that pressure doesn't seem to switch off.
Long-term stress can affect both how we feel emotionally and how we feel physically.
You might experience:
- Feeling constantly tired
- Difficulty switching off
- Poor or disrupted sleep
- Headaches
- Muscle tension
- Irritability
- Difficulty concentrating
- Feeling overwhelmed
- Changes in appetite
- Digestive symptoms
If this continues for a prolonged period, you may eventually feel completely depleted.
Could It Be Burnout?
Burnout is more than simply having a stressful week.
It can develop following prolonged periods of pressure and is commonly associated with feelings of exhaustion, reduced motivation and becoming increasingly detached from work or responsibilities.
You may feel as though you're running on empty but still trying to keep going.
Rest, appropriate boundaries, good nutrition, sleep and taking time for yourself all become particularly important when life has become overwhelming.
However, it's also important not to assume that every symptom is caused by stress or burnout.
Could a Vitamin Deficiency Be Contributing?
Some nutritional deficiencies can cause symptoms that overlap with those associated with stress.
Vitamin B12
Vitamin B12 plays an important role in normal red blood cell formation, energy metabolism and normal functioning of the nervous system.
A deficiency can cause symptoms including tiredness, weakness, problems with memory or concentration and, in some cases, neurological symptoms such as pins and needles.
There are many reasons someone may develop a B12 deficiency, including dietary intake and difficulties absorbing B12 from food.
B Vitamins
B vitamins perform a wide range of important roles within the body, including supporting normal energy metabolism and nervous system function.
Some B vitamins also contribute to normal psychological function and the reduction of tiredness and fatigue.
Periods of chronic stress can also affect our eating habits, appetite, sleep and lifestyle, potentially making good nutrition more difficult to maintain.
This is why nutritional support can form part of a wider approach to wellbeing — but taking more vitamins isn't automatically better.
A balanced diet should always provide the foundation, and where a deficiency is suspected, appropriate assessment is important.
Vitamin D
Vitamin D is particularly relevant in the UK because sunlight is our main natural source and levels can become low, particularly during autumn and winter.
Vitamin D contributes to normal immune function and normal muscle function, as well as helping maintain healthy bones.
UK guidance recommends that adults consider taking a daily vitamin D supplement during autumn and winter.
What About Iron?
Iron deficiency is another important cause of tiredness.
Iron is needed to produce haemoglobin, which allows red blood cells to carry oxygen around the body.
Low iron or iron-deficiency anaemia can result in symptoms such as:
- Tiredness and lack of energy
- Shortness of breath
- Heart palpitations
- Headaches
- Looking paler than usual
This is another reason why persistent fatigue shouldn't automatically be blamed on a busy lifestyle.
Sleep Could Be Part of the Problem
You can spend eight hours in bed and still wake up exhausted.
Stress itself can affect sleep, creating a frustrating cycle:
You feel stressed → you don't sleep properly → you're exhausted → everyday life becomes harder → you feel even more stressed.
Shift work, alcohol, caffeine, screen use and inconsistent sleeping patterns can all affect the quality of our sleep too.
Persistent excessive tiredness despite apparently getting enough sleep can sometimes indicate a sleep disorder, so this is worth discussing with your GP.
Sometimes There Is a Medical Explanation
Persistent fatigue can also be associated with a range of medical conditions, including thyroid disorders, diabetes, anaemia and sleep disorders.
Mental health conditions such as anxiety and depression can also significantly affect energy, sleep and motivation.
This doesn't mean you should worry every time you're tired.
It simply means that persistent or unexplained symptoms deserve to be listened to rather than ignored.
When Should You Speak to Your GP?
Consider speaking to your GP if you've been feeling unusually tired for several weeks, particularly if it's affecting your everyday life or you have other unexplained symptoms.
Depending on your symptoms and medical history, your healthcare professional may recommend further assessment or blood tests.
Seeking medical advice doesn't mean something serious is necessarily wrong. Sometimes it simply provides reassurance — and if something is contributing to how you're feeling, identifying it allows you to take the appropriate next step.
Supporting Your Body When Life Feels Overwhelming
Whether the underlying issue is stress, lifestyle, poor sleep or something else, looking after the basics matters.
Try to prioritise:
- A varied, balanced diet
- Regular hydration
- Quality sleep
- Gentle, regular movement
- Time away from work and screens
- Relaxation
- Maintaining social connections
- Seeking help when you need it
Complementary therapies such as reflexology can also provide dedicated time to switch off, relax and focus on yourself.
Reflexology isn't a treatment for vitamin deficiencies, burnout or medical conditions, but many people choose it as part of their wider wellbeing routine to support relaxation and help manage everyday stress.
Could Vitamin Support Be Appropriate?
At Vitality Balance, vitamin injections are never about simply giving everyone an injection because they're feeling tired.
A consultation allows us to consider your health, lifestyle, symptoms, current medications and whether the treatment you're interested in is appropriate.
Where symptoms suggest that further investigation may be needed, we'll encourage you to speak to your GP or another appropriate healthcare professional.
Where vitamin support is appropriate, it can then form one part of a much bigger picture that includes nutrition, sleep, movement, stress management and taking care of yourself.
Listen to What Your Body Is Telling You
It's very easy to normalise feeling exhausted.
"I'm just busy."
"I'm probably stressed."
"Everyone feels like this."
But you know your body better than anyone else.
If something doesn't feel right, don't simply keep pushing through it.
Sometimes you need rest. Sometimes you need to make changes. Sometimes you need medical advice. And sometimes you simply need to give yourself permission to prioritise your own wellbeing.
At Vitality Balance, our approach is about looking at the whole person — not just one symptom — and supporting you to make informed choices about your health and wellbeing.
Disclaimer: This article is for general information and wellbeing education only and does not replace individual medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. If you are experiencing persistent, worsening or unexplained symptoms, please seek advice from your GP or another appropriately qualified healthcare professional.