When Your Hormones Hijack Your Life: The Hidden Imbalances Behind Low Energy, Brain Fog and Burnout

Do you feel like you’re doing all the “right” things but still dragging yourself through the day, relying on caffeine, snacks or sheer willpower just to function?

Do you wake up tired, struggle to focus, or snap at those around you, then feel guilty and wonder what’s wrong with you?

Here’s a thought: it might not be you. It might be your hormones.

And no, that doesn’t mean you’re broken or doomed. But it does mean your body is trying to get your attention—and it’s time to listen.

Hormonal imbalance and low energy isn’t just about PMS or menopause (though those are real and valid struggles). Hormones control far more than your monthly cycle. They regulate your sleep, energy, hunger, stress response, brain function, weight, digestion, and even mood.

Let’s explore the hidden hormonal imbalances that might be hijacking your life—and how to start taking your power back.

The Hormone Puzzle: It Might Be Bigger Than You Think

When most people hear “hormones,” they immediately think of oestrogen or testosterone. But your body is home to a whole orchestra of hormones working behind the scenes every second of the day.

When even one instrument in that orchestra falls out of tune, the ripple effects can throw your whole system into chaos.

Here are some of the key players:

1. Cortisol: Your Stress Barometer

Cortisol is your main stress hormone, and it’s not inherently bad. You need it to wake up in the morning, manage inflammation, and get through challenges. But in today’s fast-paced world, many people live in a constant state of cortisol overload.

Signs of imbalance:

• Wired but tired
• Waking up at 2–3am
• Anxiety or overwhelm
• Afternoon crashes

2. Insulin: Your Blood Sugar Regulator

Insulin helps move glucose (from sugar and other carbohydrates) from your blood into your cells for energy. But when your body becomes less sensitive to it, blood sugar swings can wreak havoc on your mood, cravings and energy.

Signs of imbalance:

• Cravings for sugar or carbs
• Energy crashes after meals
• Trouble losing weight (especially around the middle)
• Brain fog

3. Thyroid Hormones: Your Metabolic Engine

Your thyroid governs metabolism, temperature, and energy production. When it’s sluggish—even just slightly—you’ll likely feel it.

Signs of imbalance:

• Low energy
• Feeling cold all the time
• Constipation
• Hair thinning

4. Leptin and Ghrelin: Your Hunger and Fullness Signals

Leptin tells you when you’re full. Ghrelin tells you when you’re hungry. If these are out of sync (which happens under chronic stress, poor sleep or inflammation), you may feel constantly hungry or never really full after eating.

Signs of imbalance:

• Intense or frequent hunger
• Late-night snacking
• Difficulty losing weight despite eating well

What About Female Hormones?

If you’re someone who menstruates, your sex hormones—primarily oestrogen and progesterone—play a huge role in how you feel throughout the month. These hormones fluctuate in a rhythm, and when that rhythm is disrupted, you might experience:

• Heavy or painful periods
• Mood swings or irritability before your period
• Breast tenderness
• Sleep issues
• Feeling like a completely different person week to week

Hormonal shifts in perimenopause can intensify all of the above—and make it harder to tell what’s going on.

But here’s the thing: female sex hormones don’t operate in isolation. They interact with all the other hormones we’ve just talked about. If your blood sugar is out of balance, or your stress response is on overdrive, your cycle will feel it.

So if you’re trying to “fix your hormones” by only looking at oestrogen or progesterone, you might be missing the full picture.

This isn’t just ‘getting older’—there’s more going on beneath the surface.

Most people are never taught how their bodies actually work.

We’re told to eat less and move more when we feel tired or can’t lose weight. We’re told to just mask our symptoms by taking painkillers for period pain and anti-anxiety meds for low mood without looking at what’s beneath the surface. And we’re told it’s all just “part of getting older.”

But that’s not the whole story.

Hormonal imbalance and low energy is often the body’s SOS signal, because the body needs nourishment, rest, light, movement, connection, and safety. It’s not a flaw, but the body trying to communicate.

You don’t have to accept feeling exhausted, foggy, irritable or out of sync as your new normal.

So… What Now?

Start by tuning in. Instead of pushing through, pause and ask:

• When do I feel most tired?
• What’s my energy like after I eat?
• How does my mood shift through the day (or month)?
• Am I truly resting, or just collapsing at the end of the day?

These small awareness shifts are the first step to rebalancing.

Next, focus on the foundations:

• Prioritise morning light and movement
• Balance your blood sugar with regular, protein-rich meals
• Build in restful evenings and tech-free wind-down time
• Make space for real rest—not just distraction

Feel free to check out my other blog posts, which might provide you with some valuable insights.

If you’re wondering how to get started, try downloading my FREE 7-Day Metabolic Reset e-book. It provides a full week’s worth of actionable steps to kickstart your journey of balancing your hormones and getting your metabolic health back on track!

If you would like more personalised advice or a full 12-week programme to make real, meaningful changes to your well-being without restrictive diets or anything extreme, check out my services.