You get a full night’s sleep, but still feel wiped by midday.
You make a coffee, but the fog doesn’t lift.
You start the day with good intentions, but by the afternoon, even a short walk feels like too much.
If you’ve been wondering, “Why am I so tired all the time?”, you’re not alone. And it’s not just because you’re getting older!
Fatigue is one of the most common (and most frustrating) symptoms we hear about from women over 60. But in most cases, it’s not permanent and can be improved.
In this blog, we’ll explore the most common causes of ongoing tiredness, and what you can do to feel more energised, day by day.
1. You’re Moving Too Little, Not Too Much
It may sound counterintuitive, but inactivity can actually make you more tired.
When we don’t move enough:
- Circulation slows down
- Muscles weaken
- Joints stiffen
- And your body’s ability to generate and sustain energy drops
You start to feel ‘sluggish’, both physically and mentally.
What you can try is to bring small bursts of gentle movement into your day. It doesn’t have to be anything major—just a few minutes of low-intensity activity (like marching in place, towel stretches, or sit-to-stands) can increase oxygen flow and boost natural energy, without draining your battery.
This is exactly why we created our 2-minute Energy Challenge, to help you ‘switch on’ your body without overwhelming it.
2. Your Muscles Aren’t Doing Their Job
From your 30s onward, you naturally start to lose muscle mass, and that decline speeds up after menopause.
Weaker muscles = more effort required for everyday tasks.
That’s why walking up stairs, lifting a bag, or standing for long periods can feel exhausting, even if you’re otherwise healthy.
Muscle isn’t just for strength. It’s for energy efficiency.
When your body is supported by strong, functional muscles, it doesn’t have to work as hard to do the basics. That means more energy left over for everything else.
You don’t need heavy weights or high-intensity classes. Just a few targeted movements, done a few times a week, can rebuild muscle and restore energy.
3. Your Nervous System Is on Overdrive
Stress doesn’t always show up as worry or overwhelm. Sometimes, it shows up as tiredness, especially if your body is stuck in a chronic state of ‘fight or flight’.
When your nervous system doesn’t feel safe or calm, it constantly pulls energy for survival, even when there’s no emergency. That leaves less fuel for movement, digestion, and focus.
Over time, this leads to ‘wired but tired’ syndrome: where your mind is racing but your body feels drained.
That’s why slow, grounding movement (like balance and stability exercises) are so powerful. They tell your nervous system you’re safe and stable, and that’s when energy starts to come back.
4. Your Recovery Isn’t Working
Sleep is essential, but it’s not only about hours in the bed.
If you’re waking up multiple times, going to bed tense, or spending your nights in shallow sleep, your body isn’t truly recovering.
On top of that, many women over 60 deal with night-time joint pain, hormonal changes, or restlessness that robs them of deep rest.
What can help with sleep and recovery:
- A short mobility routine before bed to ease tension
- Gentle movement in the morning to regulate your internal clock
- Consistent light activity during the day to support deeper sleep at night
(And of course, speak to your GP if sleep issues persist; they may be linked to underlying health conditions or medications.)
5. You’re Expecting Motivation to Carry You
When energy is low, it’s tempting to wait until you ‘feel ready’ to move or make a change.
However, motivation often follows action, not the other way around.
The key is to build small, repeatable routines that don’t rely solely on willpower. That way, even when you feel low on energy, you’ve already created the momentum you need to move through it.
Read our blog ‘How to Stay Consistent When Motivation Fades’ for more [Link when live].
Why am I so tired all the time? Start Small.
If you’ve been feeling exhausted for weeks or months, it’s easy to start thinking this is just how life is now.
But it’s not a reality you should have to accept.
With Goodnick, we’ve seen time and again that, with the right kind of movement, your body begins to bounce back.
You feel clearer. You move easier. And most importantly, you feel like yourself again.
Ready to boost your energy the gentle way?
Join the 9-week Age Smarter™ Programme, designed for women over 60 who want more strength, mobility, and yes…more energy. 👉 https://goodnick.com/#offer