Can We Talk About Why Everyone Is So Tired Right Now?
If you’ve felt more exhausted than usual lately, mentally foggy, low on motivation, or like your energy disappears halfway through the day, you’re not imagining it.
And more importantly: you’re not doing anything wrong.
This time of year is uniquely draining, yet so many people blame themselves for feeling tired. We assume we need more discipline, fewer calories, stricter routines, or another reset.
In reality, winter fatigue is often a sign that your body needs support, not restriction.
Let’s talk about what’s actually going on.
Shorter Days, Less Sunlight, More Stress
Winter changes more than just the weather.
Shorter days and reduced sunlight directly affect your circadian rhythm, the internal clock that helps regulate sleep, mood, and energy. Less daylight can lead to:
Lower serotonin levels (which impact mood and motivation)
Disrupted sleep cycles
Feeling sluggish even after a full night’s sleep
Now layer in post-holiday stress, financial pressure, busy schedules, and the emotional weight of “new year expectations,” and it makes sense that so many people feel wiped out by mid-January.
Your body isn’t failing.
It’s responding to real environmental and emotional stressors.
Winter Hunger & Fatigue Are Normal
One of the biggest myths around winter wellness is that feeling hungrier means you’re “off track.”
In colder months, your body often needs more energy, not less. You might notice:
Increased appetite
Cravings for warm, comforting foods
Needing more frequent meals or snacks
This isn’t lack of discipline, it’s biology.
Your body is working harder to stay warm, regulate mood, fight off illness, and manage stress. Hunger is information, not something to control or ignore.
Why Eating Less to “Be Healthy” Often Backfires
This is where many people get stuck.
January messaging often encourages:
Cutting calories
“Resetting” after the holidays
Eating less to compensate
But when energy is already low, undereating only makes the problem worse.
Skipping meals or cutting back too far can lead to:
Increased fatigue
Blood sugar crashes
Brain fog
Stronger cravings later in the day
Irritability and emotional exhaustion
What looks like discipline on the surface often turns into burnout underneath.
Energy Needs Support, Not More Rules
When you’re tired, the solution isn’t stricter food rules.
It’s nourishment.
Supporting energy in winter often looks like:
Eating regular, balanced meals
Including enough carbohydrates for brain fuel
Adding protein and healthy fats for staying power
Choosing warm, grounding foods that actually satisfy
Energy comes from consistency, not perfection.
Small, steady nourishment supports your body far more than white-knuckling through hunger in the name of “being good.”
If You’re Tired, Listen, Don’t Judge
Feeling tired right now doesn’t mean:
You lack motivation
You’ve fallen behind
You’re failing at healthy habits
It means your body is asking for care.
Instead of asking, “What should I cut out?”
Try asking, “What can I add to support myself today?”
More nourishment.
More rest.
More grace.
A Gentle Reminder
You don’t need to earn your food.
You don’t need to push harder to deserve energy.
And you don’t need to fix yourself for feeling human in winter.
Feeling tired right now doesn’t mean you’re doing something wrong.
It means your body is asking to be supported,
and that’s something worth listening to.
Michelle Walker
a mom, former educator, and the founder of Unjunk America - a movement dedicated to helping families ditch processed foods, decode food labels, and reconnect with real food. With a warm, no-judgment approach, Michelle empowers parents to make simple, sustainable changes in their kitchens, one meal at a time.
Learn more or join the movement at UnjunkAmerica.com.
