Why You Still Feel Off - Even When You’re Doing Everything Right

You’re doing everything right, so why do you still feel off?

A nutritionist’s perspective on hidden nutrient depletion, modern fatigue and the wellness support we do not talk enough about. 

Feeling off, low-level tired all the time, never quite 100%, seems to be all too common for most adults. It is how so many feel, often struggling through their day. It is common, but that doesn’t make it normal. So why do so many of us feel this way, especially at a time when we’re surrounded by wellness hacks and we think we’re doing everything right? 

Clinically, the most common reason I see is nutrient deficiencies; we are simply not giving our bodies enough of what it needs. Most of us are getting more than enough calories, but not enough nutrients. Vitamin D, iron, B12, Magnesium, and Omega 3 are the most frequent deficiencies we see. Considering the first 4 are all involved in energy production and metabolism, it’s no surprise that a deficiency in one or more of these would affect how we feel and our energy levels. The good news is that it’s usually an easy fix; dietary changes and quality supplements when needed can make an enormous difference, for some, it can be transformative. To assess if you have a deficiency, speak to a health professional; sometimes a blood test is necessary. 

Once we have ruled out or addressed specific nutrient deficiencies, we delve into lifestyle. The simple truth is that most people are not doing everything right. They think they are because they might do an exercise class twice a week but are sat at a desk or on a sofa 14 hours a day; they might drink a green juice everyday but don’t even come close to the recommended intake of fruit and veg; they might chug a glass of water when they remember, but are chronically dehydrated; they’re in bed by 10 but are scrolling on their phones till midnight. I see this all the time in the clinic, and it often starts with “I’m doing all the right things.” What people think wellness is, and what it is, are often worlds apart. 

Human history, modern medicine, nutrition research and common sense repeatedly show us that we get most health benefits from the all-important basics - proper nutrition, hydration, sleep; but that’s not what we’re relying on for our health. Instead, we turn to the latest fad because we believe clever marketing, health halos and spend a small fortune on sometimes bizarre “miracle cures,” that aren’t miraculous in the least. While there are many wonderful products available, they need to be used correctly; they are not a replacement for a poor diet and unhealthy habits. I see the best results and people moving away from feeling “off” to feeling vibrant when we combine healthy habits and the right products. 

The best advice I can offer is to look at your habits; what do you do consistently when it comes to food, hydration, sleep, and stress management? Are you truly optimising, or are you taking shortcuts? Establish healthy habits; most of us already know what these are, remove what doesn’t make you feel good and add the products you need. It may not be exciting, but it is the foundation of feeling good.