Why Am I Still Tired in Summer?
Understanding the Mitochondria–Fatigue Connection
Tags: summer fatigue, mitochondrial health, energy reset, functional medicine, Lantern Clinic, chronic tiredness, hormone imbalance, root cause medicine
Despite the long days, bright sunshine, and promise of renewed energy, many people find themselves dragging through summer.
“I’m sleeping, eating well, even getting sunshine—but I’m still exhausted.”
If this sounds familiar, you're not alone. And you're not lazy or broken.
The truth is: fatigue in summer is a real phenomenon—and it may have little to do with sleep, and everything to do with how your cells produce energy.
The Role of Mitochondria in Your Energy
At the heart of your fatigue could be something microscopic—but powerful: your mitochondria.
These tiny organelles are the energy factories inside every cell in your body. When they’re working well, they convert nutrients and oxygen into ATP (your body’s energy currency). But when they’re under stress or depleted, the lights start to dim.
You may experience:
Brain fog
Heavy limbs
Morning exhaustion
Afternoon crashes
Feeling “wired but tired” at night
What Disrupts Your Mitochondria?
Here at Lantern Clinic, we see certain root causes again and again—especially in busy, high-functioning adults who’ve “tried everything”:
1. Chronic Stress
Your stress hormones (like cortisol and adrenaline) directly affect mitochondrial function. When you’re constantly in fight-or-flight mode, your cells shift energy away from repair and toward survival.
2. Nutrient Deficiencies
Magnesium, B vitamins, CoQ10, carnitine, and glutathione are critical for mitochondrial energy production. Even a subtle deficiency can leave you depleted.
3. Toxins and Inflammation
Environmental toxins (like mould, plastics, pesticides) and hidden inflammation (gut, dental, viral) burden your mitochondria and interfere with their function.
4. Hormonal Changes
Women in perimenopause often experience unexplained fatigue due to fluctuating oestrogen, thyroid changes, and blood sugar dysregulation—all of which affect mitochondria.
Why Summer Doesn’t Always Help
Yes, you’re getting more sunlight. But:
Hot weather can worsen dehydration, draining minerals essential for cellular energy
Blood sugar swings increase with summer indulgences
Sleep quality suffers with heat and late light exposure
Unprocessed stress from the year lingers in your system
If you’ve pushed through the first half of the year without a real reset, your body might be asking you to slow down and restore—not sprint harder.
How We Support Mitochondrial Health at Lantern Clinic
Our approach is never one-size-fits-all. When a patient presents with chronic fatigue, we investigate:
Advanced blood testing to assess inflammation, nutrients, and oxidative stress
Hormonal and adrenal function
Mitochondrial biomarkers (where appropriate)
Lifestyle patterns, circadian disruption, and sleep rhythms
We then develop a personalised plan using food, targeted supplementation, herbal adaptogens, and nervous system support to help your cells breathe again.
3 Things You Can Do Today to Support Energy
Start your day with natural light – 10 minutes outside within an hour of waking resets your body clock and helps regulate cortisol.
Balance blood sugar – Prioritise protein and healthy fats in the morning to avoid the energy crash by midday.
Magnesium matters – Leafy greens, pumpkin seeds, and high-quality magnesium supplements support cellular function and nervous system calm.
Ready to Find Out What’s Draining Your Energy?
If you’re tired of being tired, and you know something deeper is going on—we can help you find the root cause.
