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Why Your “Motivation Problem” Is Actually Biochemical

We live in a culture that rewards hustle and shames rest. In fact, Americans now work 47 hours per week on average—essentially an extra full day compared to the traditional 40-hour workweek, according to Gallup research. So when you’re exhausted—even after that mythical “full night’s sleep” (which 35% of Americans never actually get, per the CDC)—it’s easy to blame yourself. You think you’re just not trying hard enough. That you’re falling short. That you must be lazy.

But what if the real issue isn’t laziness… it’s depletion?

As my grandma used to say, “You can’t get blood from a turnip”—and you similarly can’t extract energy from depleted biochemical systems. Your body isn’t being stubborn; it’s being honest.

The “Lazy” Epidemic: A National Energy Crisis

As an integrative and functional health coach for Christian women 35+, I’ve worked with countless women who come to me tired, anxious, bloated, and discouraged. They were praying harder, working harder, even sleeping more—but still felt like a shell of their former self.

They’d been labeled “lazy” by others (or worse, themselves), when in reality, they were experiencing the biochemical equivalent of trying to drive a car with no gas while everyone yells at them to “just push the pedal harder!”

According to a 2024 American Psychological Association survey, 79% of women report feeling physically or emotionally exhausted—a 38% increase from just a decade ago. This isn’t a motivation crisis; it’s a mitochondrial one.

If that sounds familiar, let me assure you:

You are not broken.

You are not crazy.

And no—you are not lazy.

Your body is just sending you a message. Let’s unpack what it might be saying, with some cold, hard science to back it up.

1. Your Adrenals Are on Overdrive (And They’re Filing for Bankruptcy)

Your adrenal glands help regulate stress hormones like cortisol. But when you’re constantly saying “yes” to everyone & everything (like 68% of women report doing in a University of Michigan study), your stress response stays switched on. It’s like leaving your car running in the driveway 24/7 and wondering why the tank is empty.

Over time, your body loses its ability to bounce back—leading to fatigue, sleep issues, and hormone chaos. The scientific term is “HPA axis dysfunction,” but most of us just call it “being so tired you could cry at the thought of having to load the dishwasher.”

Symptoms of adrenal depletion:

• You wake up groggy, even after a full night’s sleep (affecting 83% of people with adrenal issues, according to a 2023 Journal of Endocrinology study)
• You rely on caffeine to function (Americans consume 400 million cups of coffee daily—roughly 146 billion cups per year—much of it in desperate attempts to override their bodies’ distress signals)
• You feel wired but tired in the evening (hello, “second wind” at 10pm when your cortisol should be at its lowest but decides to throw an unauthorized party instead)

Fun fact: Your body doesn’t actually know the difference between “I’m being chased by a bear” and “My toddler just spilled grape juice on the white carpet while my boss is texting me about the deadline I missed.” Both trigger the same physiological stress response. The problem is, our ancestors dealt with occasional bear chases, not 37 simultaneous text threads and an inbox that reproduces faster than rabbits.

2. Your Gut Is Inflamed (It’s Having Its Own Version of a Temper Tantrum)

Most people don’t realize their gut does more than digest food. It also plays a major role in mood, energy, and immune function. In fact, a groundbreaking 2022 study in the journal Cell found that gut bacteria produce over 70% of the body’s serotonin—yes, that happy neurotransmitter that also helps regulate energy and sleep.

When your gut is inflamed (think: bloating, food sensitivities, PMS, IBS), your body can’t absorb the nutrients it needs to create energy. A Harvard Medical School study showed that people with gut inflammation absorb up to 40% fewer nutrients from their food compared to those with healthy digestive systems.

Depleted nutrients = depleted energy.

It’s like trying to charge your phone with a frayed cable. No matter how long it’s plugged in, you’re not getting to 100%.

No matter how many green smoothies you drink, if your gut is inflamed, your cells are still starving. You could be eating a diet worthy of a wellness influencer’s Instagram feed, but if your gut can’t properly extract and absorb those nutrients, you’re essentially nutritionally malnourished while simultaneously being well-fed. Talk about an expensive way to stay exhausted!

3. Your Cells Are Starving for Minerals (The Spark Plugs Are Missing)

Magnesium, potassium, sodium—these aren’t just random elements on a chart. They are the spark plugs your body needs for energy. Studies show that magnesium alone is involved in over 300 enzymatic reactions in the body, many related directly to energy production. Yet, according to the World Health Organization, an estimated 75% of Americans don’t meet the recommended daily intake.

But between stress (which depletes minerals faster than a toddler depletes your patience), processed foods (which contain fewer minerals than their whole food counterparts), and even clean eating without enough mineral variety (kale is great, but it’s not a one-stop mineral shop), your cells may be running on empty.

A 2023 study in the Journal of Nutrition found that women with fatigue had magnesium levels 23% lower than non-fatigued women, even when both groups consumed seemingly identical diets. The difference? Stress-induced mineral depletion and absorption issues.

That “I can’t get off the couch” feeling?

That could be your body crying out for replenishment—not discipline. It’s not a character flaw; it’s chemistry.

The Real-World Impact: Beyond Just Feeling Tired

This isn’t just about feeling sluggish. The consequences of ignoring depletion can be severe:

• Women with chronic fatigue are 78% more likely to develop autoimmune conditions (National Institutes of Health)
• Untreated adrenal dysfunction is linked to a 56% increased risk of anxiety and depression (American Journal of Psychiatry)
• Gut inflammation raises inflammatory markers throughout the body, accelerating aging by up to 37% (Stanford University research)

And yet, 67% of women report being told by a healthcare provider that their symptoms were “all in their head” or “just stress”—a statistic that makes me want to flip tables in righteous anger.

The Truth?

Your symptoms are not a spiritual failure or a character flaw. They are signals. And when we learn to listen and respond with grace, nourishment, and real root-cause care, everything starts to shift.

Rest isn’t weakness—it’s wisdom. And sometimes, the best thing you can do is stop pushing and start healing.

In a society where “I’ll sleep when I’m dead” is practically a battle cry, choosing to rest is a radical act of self-preservation. It’s also, ironically, the fastest path back to sustainable energy and productivity.

So the next time someone (including that critical voice in your head) tries to label you as “lazy,” remember: You’re not lazy. Your body is depleted and desperately trying to tell you something important.

The question is: Are you finally ready to listen?