Feeling Lazy or Just Exhausted? Take This Quiz to Find Out What’s Draining Your Energy!

Have you ever had one of those days where even brushing your hair feels like climbing a mountain? Maybe you sit down to rest for just a minute and suddenly, two hours have vanished. And then, the guilt creeps in: Why am I so lazy? Why can’t I just get up and do things like everyone else?

Let me stop you right there. You are not lazy.

That’s a big statement, I know, but hear me out. What if I told you that what you’re calling laziness might actually be your body waving a red flag—a sign that something deeper is going on? Let’s talk about why your energy is zapped, how it’s not all in your head, and what small, doable steps can help you start feeling like yourself again.

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What You’ll Find in This Post

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Is It Laziness or Something Else?

We live in a world that glorifies being busy—hustle culture, waking up at 5 AM to run marathons, juggling a million tasks. So when exhaustion hits and you just can’t, it’s easy to blame yourself. But here’s the truth:

Energy isn’t just about willpower. It’s about biology.

There are real, medical reasons why you might feel drained, no matter how much you want to get things done. And the first step to feeling better? Giving yourself some grace.

Instead of guessing what’s really going on, take this quick Laziness vs. Low Energy Quiz to find out which factor is zapping your energy most. Then, come back to learn how to fix it!

Why Your Energy Might Be Low (It’s Not Just You!)

Before we talk about solutions, let’s look at what could be going on behind the scenes.

1. Thyroid Issues (Yep, This One’s Personal for Me)

I have hypothyroidism, and let me tell you—it’s no joke. The thyroid controls your metabolism, and when it’s underactive, everything slows down:

• You feel exhausted no matter how much you sleep.
• Your body holds onto weight, making movement feel harder.
• Brain fog, sluggishness, and even feeling cold all the time are common.

🔍 What to do: If you’ve never had your thyroid checked, ask your doctor for a TSH, Free T3, and Free T4 panel. If you’re already on meds but still feel awful, push for a deeper look—sometimes, the standard dosage isn’t enough.

➡️The thyroid plays a huge role in metabolism, and an underactive thyroid can cause weight gain, brain fog, and extreme fatigue. Learn more about thyroid function from the American Thyroid Association.

2. Sleep Problems (Even If You Think You’re Sleeping Enough)

You might sleep for 8 hours and still wake up exhausted—that’s because quality matters as much as quantity. Deep, restorative sleep is when your body repairs itself. If you’re waking up groggy, here’s what might be going on:

• Insomnia or frequent wake-ups (hello, menopause hormones)
• Undiagnosed sleep apnea (even if you don’t snore!)
• Not enough deep sleep due to stress, screen time, or caffeine

🔍 What to do:

• Track your sleep using an app or smartwatch—look for how much deep sleep you’re getting.
• Improve your sleep hygiene: Dim the lights at night, cut caffeine by early afternoon, and keep your bedroom cool.
• Try magnesium or tart cherry juice—both can naturally help with sleep.

Getting enough sleep doesn’t always mean getting good sleep. If you’re waking up exhausted, your sleep quality might be poor. Find out how sleep affects energy from the Sleep Foundation.

I got tested for sleep apnea because I was convinced I had it, but turns out, my fatigue was mostly hormone and thyroid-related!

3. Menopause & Perimenopause (Your Energy Thief)

Aging doesn’t mean we’re supposed to be tired all the time, but hormones definitely play a role. Estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone all affect energy levels, and when they drop, you can feel:

• Drained for no reason
• Irritable or foggy-brained
• More prone to anxiety or depression

🔍 What to do:

• Get your hormone levels checked and consider HRT or natural support (even small adjustments can help!).
• Move your body, even if it’s just stretching or walking—exercise actually helps rebalance hormones.
• Support your adrenals with less caffeine, more protein, and stress management (overstressed adrenals can mimic menopause symptoms).

4. Vitamin Deficiencies (Super Common in Women Over 40)

Your energy levels could be tanked because you’re missing key nutrients like:

• Iron (low levels = exhaustion, dizziness, and hair loss)
• B12 (essential for energy, especially if you eat little meat)
• Vitamin D (low levels can make you feel like a zombie)

🔍 What to do: Ask for a full nutrient panel at your next checkup. If your doctor won’t do it, many online labs let you order your own.

➡️Low levels of iron, B12, and vitamin D are common energy zappers in women over 40. Check out this NIH guide to vitamin deficiencies to see if you might be missing something important..

5. Mental Load & Burnout (Your Brain Is Overworked!)

Even if your body is technically fine, your brain can be completely drained from stress, decision-making, and carrying the weight of everyone else’s needs.

🔍 What to do:

• Take mental breaks—watching Netflix doesn’t count. Try sitting in silence for five minutes and breathing.
• Reduce decision fatigue: Automate meals, use routines, or plan your week ahead of time.
• Talk to yourself like you would your granddaughter (or your younger self)—with kindness, encouragement, and patience.
• If focus is your struggle, try the Pomodoro Technique to beat distractions and get more done in small bursts.

Chronic stress and decision fatigue don’t just affect your mind—they can physically drain your energy. More on how stress impacts the body: APA Stress & Energy Guide.

If you struggle to focus while working from home, I totally get it. Some days, my mind is everywhere but where it needs to be. One thing that helps? Reminding myself how lucky I am to work from home—it’s my personal pep talk! I shared more about this in my video here ➡️

Looking for practical ways to stay productive while working from home? Check out my Work-From-Home Productivity Hacks for strategies that actually help.

How to Regain Energy Without Overwhelm

If you’re dealing with one (or all) of the above, let’s be realistic: You’re not going to wake up tomorrow feeling like a new person. But small shifts do add up.

💡 Start with just ONE of these today:
✔ Take a 5-minute walk outside
✔ Drink a full glass of water before coffee
✔ Take one deep breath before switching tasks
✔ Go to bed 30 minutes earlier
✔ Eat something with protein instead of just carbs
✔ Ask yourself, Would I say this to someone I love? when you call yourself lazy

Because here’s the thing: Accomplishing even one small thing today is the opposite of laziness.

Final Thoughts: Let’s Reframe How We See Ourselves

You are not broken. You are not lazy. And you are not alone.

Your energy struggles are real, and they have real causes—but you are still capable, still valuable, and still YOU. Some days, you’ll have more energy than others. That’s okay. Progress is progress, no matter how small.

And if no one has told you this today: You are doing just fine.

Now, go do something small. It matters more than you think.

Want More Tips Like This?

Wondering if it’s just laziness—or something deeper? Take this quick Energy Assessment Quiz and get instant results to find out what’s really draining your energy!—plus, grab my Energy Assessment Guide inside the Freebie Vault!

Want to figure out exactly what’s draining your energy? Take the free Laziness vs. Low Energy Quiz and get personalized results.