Understanding Energy Levels: 8 Chapters on Why Women Feel Tired and How Red Light Therapy Can Help Fix It

We all know that feeling—dragging through the day, barely able to keep our eyes open, wondering why we’re so tired even after what should have been a restful night’s sleep. Most modern women have it difficult, juggling work, family, social life, and attempting to fit in a little “me-time”. It’s the persistent, bone-deep sluggishness that you just can’t seem to get rid of, no matter how much sleep or coffee you drink. Not only is this tiredness physical, but it has psychological and emotional components as well. You start to lose interest in the things you used to like doing, have trouble concentrating, and are easily upset. This exhaustion can begin to feel like the new normal for you.

But here’s the thing—you’re not alone in this, and this kind of fatigue is more common than you might think, especially among women. Whether it’s due to the natural hormonal shifts we go through, the demands of modern life, or underlying health issues, many of us are feeling this way. Though it feels like we have to satisfy everyone and achieve everything, there are moments when our energy levels simply cannot keep up. And, while society may dismiss chronic fatigue as merely another aspect of being a woman, the reality is that we shouldn’t just accept it. It’s a signal that our bodies need assistance, and the good news is that there are ways to listen to and efficiently respond to these signals.

In this article, we’ll examine the most typical causes of women’s chronic fatigue and discuss a very useful, scientifically supported treatment that can help restore your energy levels. We’ll examine how these elements affect your general energy levels, covering everything from the effects of menstruation and menopause to diet, sleep, and even stress. Let’s begin by figuring out why you’re feeling so exhausted and, more importantly, by discussing what you can do to feel better.

Chapters:

  1. Why Women Often Feel Tired
  2. Menstruation and Fatigue
  3. Menopause and Energy Levels
  4. The Role of Diet in Energy Levels
  5. Sleep: The Foundation of Energy
  6. Low Activity Levels Can Equal Low Energy
  7. How Red Light Therapy Can Help Boost Energy Levels
  8. Conclusion

Why Women Often Feel Tired

Fatigue can be a complex issue with many contributing factors. For women, this tiredness often goes beyond just needing a nap. It’s essential to understand the difference between being tired and feeling fatigued. While tiredness improves with rest, fatigue lingers, affecting your ability to get through daily tasks, no matter how much sleep you get.1

One of the most difficult aspects of dealing with exhaustion is determining the cause, which can range from medical issues like menstruation and menopause to lifestyle factors like insufficient sleep, food, and stress.  We will examine the main causes of your possible lack of energy and discuss a few methods for boosting it.

Menstruation and Fatigue

Your menstrual cycle may have a significant effect on your energy levels. Many women experience exhaustion as a result of heavy blood loss and hormonal imbalances during their period. As estrogen levels fall, the body creates less neurotransmitters that govern sleep and energy, particularly serotonin and dopamine. You can feel worn out and tired as a result of this.

In addition to draining your energy, heavy periods can lower your iron levels, which can lead to anemia. When your body lacks iron, your cells receive less oxygen, making it more difficult to produce the necessary energy.

Red light therapy treatment may help ease some of this fatigue. According to studies, RLT can help alleviate menstrual cramps by suppressing the production of prostaglandins, the molecules that cause cramping. You may find that reducing these cramps improves your energy levels throughout your period.

Menopause and Energy Levels

Hormone fluctuations might have an impact on a woman’s energy levels as she approaches menopause.2 Hot flashes, night sweats, and sleep disturbances are common symptoms of this stage of life, and they all add to daytime tiredness.

Here, we can see how red light therapy’s advantages could help treat menopause. RLT boosts overall energy levels by promoting cellular health and mitochondrial function—the part of your cells that generates energy.  It may also help minimize the intensity of menopause symptoms, such as hot flashes and sleep disruptions, by regulating your body’s circadian cycles and hormone levels.

The Role of Diet in Energy Levels

What you eat directly impacts how energetic you feel. Fatigue is frequently associated with nutrient deficits, notably those involving iron, magnesium, and vitamin B. Having a well-balanced, nutritious diet will help you maintain consistent energy levels.

Hydration is equally essential. A small amount of dehydration might make you tired. Make it a point to stay hydrated throughout the day, starting with a big glass of water in the morning. If you feel that plain water lacks flavor, try adding some fruits or herbs to it.

Red light therapy can also improve gut health, which directly influences your diet and energy levels. RLT improves the environment in which good bacteria can thrive, leading to a more balanced gut microbiome.3  This improves the amount of nutrients that your digestive system is capable of absorbing. RLT also helps your digestive system remain strong and resilient by battling the negative effects of stress, thereby increasing your energy and overall well-being.

Sleep: The Foundation of Energy

Sleep is vital for energy, and yet many of us don’t get enough of it. Poor sleep, whether due to stress, inconsistent sleep schedules, or a cluttered mind, can lead to chronic fatigue. The quality and quantity of your sleep are crucial—adults need between 7-9 hours of quality sleep each night to feel refreshed and energized.

If sleep is an issue, consider how your environment and habits might be affecting your rest. Keeping a consistent sleep schedule, limiting caffeine and alcohol before bed, and creating a relaxing bedtime routine can all contribute to better sleep. 

Additionally, red light therapy might help regulate your sleep-wake cycle, making it easier to fall asleep and stay asleep. Unlike blue light, which can disrupt melatonin production and confuse your body’s internal clock, red light has a low tendency to suppress melatonin. Melatonin is the hormone that your brain naturally releases as darkness falls, signaling to your body that it’s time to sleep. By using RLT in the evening, you can minimize the disruption of your circadian rhythm caused by other types of light, allowing melatonin levels to rise naturally.

Research suggests that red light might affect other parts of the brain related to sleep, such as the visual system and the amygdala, which could contribute to better sleep quality.4 While it doesn’t directly interact with the biological clock in the brain, red light therapy may create a more conducive environment for restful sleep by replacing disruptive lights with a wavelength that supports the body’s natural sleep processes.

Curios to know more about how red light therapy affects sleep? Check out our other blog post to get a more detailed explanation!

Stress and Its Impact on Energy

I think we’ve all experienced stress at one point in our lives. Whether it’s trying to meet work deadlines, managing family duties, or just dealing with the daily chaos of life, the constant pressure can feel exhausting. This chronic stress can wear us down over time, leaving us exhausted before our day even begins.

The mental load of balancing a career, caring for loved ones, and attempting to maintain some form of a personal life can be overwhelming, resulting in burnout.

Including red light therapy in your routine is a great method to battle the energy-draining effects of stress. Red light therapy works at the molecular level to minimize oxidative stress, which damages cells and accelerates aging.

Red light treatment improves your body’s ability to regulate stress and sustain energy by lowering oxidative stress. This gentle, non-invasive treatment not only helps to reduce the physical effects of stress, but it also helps you maintain your energy levels, making it easier to deal with anything life throws at you.

Low Activity Levels Can Equal Low Energy

It may sound contradictory, but being more active can actually boost your energy levels. Exercising on a regular basis not only benefits your physical health but also your mood by generating endorphins, enhancing the quality of your sleep, and reducing fatigue. Engaging in physical exercise can frequently give you the energy you need, even when you’re worn out. But maintaining an active lifestyle isn’t always so easy, particularly if you’re experiencing muscle soreness, stiffness, discomfort, or even an injury. In these cases, exercising can seem more like a chore than a reward.

This is where red light therapy can be really beneficial. Red light therapy has been used by athletes and fitness enthusiasts to decrease pain and accelerate muscle recovery, allowing them to continue their activities without experiencing the added fatigue that comes from overworked or sore muscles. RLT helps your muscles heal faster, allowing you to maintain a consistent workout regimen, which in turn supports higher energy levels. RLT can be a useful tool to keep your body feeling consistently strong and energized, even if you’re just trying to recover from a strenuous workout or just maintaining an active lifestyle.

How Red Light Therapy Can Help Boost Energy Levels

You’ve probably noticed a common theme by now. Red light therapy has the potential to address several causes of fatigue. Whether you’re dealing with menstrual cramps, menopausal symptoms, poor sleep, stress, or even low physical activity levels, RLT can be a valuable tool in your energy-boosting tools.

As mentioned before, RLT works by improving the performance of mitochondria, the powerhouses of your cells which play an important part in energy production.  By improving mitochondrial efficiency, red light therapy can help raise your energy levels, making it easier to tackle whatever life throws your way. If you’re suffering from fatigue, think about how RLT could fit into your daily routine. There are many compact user-friendly devices that allow you to enjoy the benefits in just a few minutes a day, right from the comfort of your home. You can use it whenever you’re unwinding, before going to bed or even in the morning to start your day. It’s non-invasive, easy to use, and can be a powerful way to support your overall health and energy levels.

A woman with high energy levels

Conclusion

As women, it’s essential that we support each other and make our health a top priority. Taking time for self-care and being proactive about our well-being isn’t just important—it’s vital. Small changes like improving our diet, getting better sleep, managing stress, and exploring the benefits of red light therapy can make a huge difference in how we feel every day.

Ready to take charge of your health and energy? Follow us on Instagram at @luminousred.light for tips, inspiration, and to connect with a community of women committed to wellness. Have questions about how red light therapy can fit into your routine? We’re here to help—reach out to us anytime, and let’s empower each other to feel stronger and more energized, every single day.

References

  1. “Persistent fatigue in well women” PubMed.
    https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/7483651/ ↩︎
  2. “Changes in energy balance and body composition at menopause: a controlled longitudinal study” PubMed.
    https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/7574222/#:~:text=Conclusions%3A%20Natural%20menopause%20is%20associated,cardiovascular%20and%20metabolic%20risk%20profile. ↩︎
  3. “The effectiveness of photobiomodulation therapy in modulation the gut microbiome dysbiosis related diseases” PubMed.
    https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10835098/ ↩︎
  4. “Red Light and the Sleep Quality and Endurance Performance of Chinese Female Basketball Players” PubMed.
    https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3499892/  ↩︎

Disclaimer:
This blog is for educational and entertainment purposes only and is not intended to be used for medical diagnosis, treatment or prevention of any disease, illness or health issue.

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