Do you wake up already tired, hit an afternoon slump that makes you crave caffeine or sugar, and fall asleep feeling like you’ve been dragging your body through mud all day?

If so, you're not alone.

Every day, I speak with women—especially corporate professionals, high performers, and caregivers—who are burning out from the inside out. They’re doing everything they can to stay afloat: juggling work, family, deadlines, and expectations. And yet, despite the smoothies, supplements, and sleep aids, they're still exhausted.

Here’s the truth many people miss:
Chronic fatigue isn’t always about energy depletion. It’s about energy mismanagement.
And at the centre of that mismanagement?
👉 Poor glycemic control.

What Does Blood Sugar Have to Do with Energy?

Your blood sugar, or glycemic balance, is a key player in your body’s energy economy. When it’s stable, you feel clear-headed, energised, and balanced. When it spikes and crashes (thanks to refined carbs, sugary snacks, and stress), your energy follows the same chaotic pattern.

This rollercoaster can look like:

• Needing caffeine first thing just to feel human

• Intense sugar cravings around 3pm

• Feeling “hangry” or light-headed between meals

• Waking in the night and struggling to fall back asleep

• Brain fog that hits even after 8 hours of sleep

These are not signs of weakness or failure. They’re signals. And your body is speaking loud and clear: your blood sugar regulation needs support.

Why Women Are Especially at Risk

Women in their 30s to 50s are uniquely vulnerable to glycemic instability due to shifting hormones—especially during perimenopause and menopause. As estrogen and progesterone decline, insulin sensitivity changes. This makes it easier to store fat (particularly around the belly), and harder to maintain stable energy.

Add to that the stress hormone cortisol (which naturally raises blood sugar during stress), and it's no surprise so many women feel wired and tired at the same time.

It's Not Just About What You Eat

Glycemic control isn’t just about cutting sugar. It’s also about how you live:

• Skipping meals (especially breakfast)

• Overexercising or under-recovering

• Working late and sleeping less

• Emotional stress and unprocessed trauma

• Lack of mindfulness around food and daily rhythms

All of these affect how your body processes energy.

What You Can Do to Break the Cycle

The good news? You can restore energy and hormonal harmony—without gimmicks or quick fixes.

Here’s where to start:

1. Prioritise a protein-rich breakfast.
   This sets your blood sugar up for the day and reduces afternoon crashes.

2. Balance every meal with protein, healthy fats, and complex carbs.
   Avoid eating naked carbs (like toast or crackers) on their own.

3. Support your nervous system.
   Practice daily breathwork, mindfulness, or gentle movement to reduce cortisol and stabilise insulin.

4. Stay consistent with meal timing.
   Long gaps between meals can send blood sugar on a rollercoaster.

5. Work with a health coach or practitioner.
   A personalised approach can help identify your triggers and restore your energy sustainably.

Final Thoughts

Chronic fatigue is not laziness, weakness, or something you have to push through.

It’s a signal that your body is asking for balance—particularly in how it handles blood sugar and stress.

If you’re tired of running on empty and want to get back to feeling like yourself again, start by exploring your glycemic rhythms. You may be surprised at just how much clarity, energy, and peace return when your blood sugar is in sync with your body’s natural needs.

You don’t need more willpower—you need better fuel, smarter rhythms, and deep restoration.

Lisa Edmondson is a Master Holistic Health Coach and founder of Sure Growth Health & Wellness. She specialises in hormonal health, burnout recovery, and empowering women to restore energy and balance through lifestyle medicine.