Ask Nika: Why am I so tired in summer?
Let’s just say it: summer exhaustion is real, and no, it’s not all in your head.
You’re not lazy. You’re not “failing at wellness.” You’re not the only one who’s dragging herself through the day with a bottle of lukewarm water and a blank stare.
So what’s going on?
- You’re dehydrated. Yes, again.
You think you’re drinking enough. But sweating, air con, coffee, wine, and pretending to enjoy salads all take their toll.
Even a small drop in hydration messes with blood volume, oxygen flow, and brain function. Translation: you feel heavy, slow, and stupid. Not dramatic — just basic physiology.
And no, chugging a litre at once won’t fix it. Your kidneys will flush it out before your brain notices. You need slow, steady sipping and actual electrolytes. Water alone is a nice idea, not a complete strategy.
- Your sleep is worse (even if you’re unconscious for 7 hours).
Warmer nights = shallow sleep, more wake-ups, more tossing, more dreams about spreadsheets or ex-boyfriends. Melatonin production dips when it’s too bright too late.
Also, fun fact: women over 40 already have more fragmented sleep thanks to hormonal shifts. Add July heat and boom — you wake up more tired than when you went to bed.
- Blood pressure drops. So does your will to function.
Heat dilates blood vessels. Your blood pressure dips. You stand up, and suddenly you’re starring in your own slow-motion collapse.
It’s subtle but cumulative: less oxygen to the brain, less energy, more “I just need to sit down for a minute.” Sound familiar?
- Your hormones are running a different programme.
Estrogen supports temperature regulation, fluid balance and serotonin. If you’re in perimenopause or beyond, your body handles summer heat like an old laptop with too many tabs open.
Mood swings, energy crashes, salt cravings, sudden anxiety. It’s not you — it’s your thermostat acting up.
- You’re eating too little, or the wrong stuff.
Yes, it’s hot. Yes, you want something light. But living on iced coffee and watermelon isn’t feeding your mitochondria.
You need food with actual nutrients. Protein. Minerals. Fats.
Skipping meals or relying on snacks will only guarantee one thing: an energy crash and a mood no one wants to be around.
What to do instead?
- Drink smarter. Add electrolytes. Eat watery vegetables. Sip all day.
- Eat real meals. Not giant ones. Just real food with substance.
- Cool your room. Blackout blinds. Ice packs near your pillow. No devices after 9 p.m.
- Don’t push. If you feel wrecked at 3 p.m., rest. Not scroll. Rest.
- Check your iron, B12, D3, thyroid. No shame in needing help — just don’t Google your symptoms and panic.
You’re not tired because you’re weak.
You’re tired because your body is trying to function like it’s March in a world that feels like an oven.
Adjust the plan. That’s what smart women do.
#AskNika #Nutrinika #WomenOver40 #SummerFatigue #RealNutrition #ScienceNotGimmicks