The Hidden Reason You’re Exhausted: Understanding December Fatigue for Women 40+

This Is Not Another “How to Stay Healthy During the Holidays” Article

Let’s be honest.

Right now your inbox is full of well-meaning advice:

• “Eat before the party!”

• “Swap wine for sparkling water!”

• “Balance your plate!”

And while those tips aren’t wrong…they’re also not your biggest problem this December.

If you’re feeling unusually tired, puffy, unmotivated, or anxious right now, you may be experiencing December fatigue - a real phenomenon women over 40 feel more intensely due to hormonal shifts. Food isn’t the reason you’re so exhausted, bloated, emotional, or wired-yet-tired right now. Something much deeper is happening in your body - especially if you’re in perimenopause or over 40. And nobody is talking about it.

December Fatigue - The Hidden Energy Drain No One Warns Women About

Meet one of my clients, let's call her Linda. Last year she told me: “Marieke, it’s not the parties that drain me. It’s everything in between.”

And she was right! Most women think they’re tired because it’s “busy season,” or because they’re eating differently, or because they’re socialising more.

But the REAL December drain is something else entirely:

Your nervous system is overloaded - long before Christmas even arrives.

Here’s what stacks up:

• Endless to-do lists

• Emotional labour (gift planning, food planning, logistics, remembering everything)

• Shorter days + less natural light

• More sugar and caffeine to “get through the day”

• Disrupted routines

• Extra social expectations

• Worrying about money, weight, family dynamics

• Less time to rest and digest

Individually these things feel small.But together, they’re a perfect storm for the hormone most women rarely think about: Cortisol.

And when cortisol goes up, everything else feels harder:

• Sleep becomes lighter

• Bloating increases

• Sugar cravings intensify

• Belly weight becomes more stubborn

• Mood becomes more unpredictable - hello irritability

• Anxiety creeps in

• Brain fog hits

• Afternoon crashes slam you out of nowhere

Sound familiar?

Why Women 40+ Feel This More Strongly

This is where your hormones enter the story. In your 40s and perimenopause:

• Progesterone declines (your calming hormone)

• Estrogen fluctuates (your vitality hormone)

• Cortisol becomes more reactive

• Insulin sensitivity drops

• Your nervous system becomes more sensitive

So the December stress load that you handled easily in your 30s? Now it hits you 10x harder.

This is why you may feel:

• more overwhelmed

• more emotional

• more bloated

• more wired but tired

• more reliant on sugar/caffeine

• more sensitive to everyone’s energy

• more exhausted than the actual events justify

And guess what? None of that is “your fault.”

Your physiology is reacting to the season.

The Stress Detective View: December Through Your Body’s Eyes

If your body could talk, it would say:

“Hey… I’m doing my best.But I’m running on adrenaline, my blood sugar’s a bit wobbly, and I haven’t had a quiet moment in days. Please slow down… just a little?”

Your body is talking to you - and December makes those whispers louder.

Not because you’re weak. Not because you overate. Not because you “can’t handle this like you used to. - But because your midlife hormones are working differently now… and December is the worst possible month to ignore them.

So What Can You Do (Without Becoming the Only Woman Not Enjoying Christmas)?

Good news: You don’t need a “holiday plan.” You don’t need to avoid the chocolate. You don’t need to restrict yourself.

You just need a few grounding practices that support your hormones and your nervous system - gently.

Here are the most powerful ones:

1. Protect Your Mornings (Even 5 Minutes Helps)

The way you start the day sets your cortisol rhythm.

Try one of these:

• Light stretching

• 2 minutes of box breathing

• Eating a protein-rich breakfast

• Stepping outside into daylight or use a winter light

This stabilises your energy for the entire day.

2. Anchor Your Blood Sugar (It’s Your Mood + Energy Thermostat)

You don’t need to overthink it - just follow these simple anchors:

• Eat protein every time you eat and eat it first

• Have veggies or fiber with every meal

• Eat carbs last

• Move for 10 minutes after big meals (even 10x squats are great)

These are the same principles I use inside my Blood sugar cheat sheet and my Hormone & Blood Sugar Balance Cookbook, which has plenty of cosy winter recipes to support you without restriction.

3. Take Micro-Breaks to Calm Your Nervous System

December doesn’t give you real rests - so you create them in tiny pockets:

• One slow breath before answering a question

• A moment of silence in the car before walking inside

• Sitting down to drink water instead of sipping while rushing

• Two minutes of hands-on-belly breathing

Micro-breaks = macro impact.

4. Give Your Digestion a Little Support

Because your gut and stress hormones are deeply connected.

Try:

• Apple cider vinegar before meals

• Sitting down when you eat

• Chewing thoroughly

• Eating mindfully - say thanks before your meal

Your bloat will ease more than you expect.

5. Lower Your “People Load” Where You Can

Your nervous system processes people the same way it processes stress.

You’re allowed to:

• Leave early

• Say no

• Set boundaries

• Not host

• Not attend every event

You’ll feel calmer within hours. And you don't have to feel guilty to protect your energy - everyone else around you will benefit if you are less irritable and in a better mood!

Want Help Making December Feel Lighter?

To support you (and your hormones!) during this busy month, I’ve created two resources that thousands of women in their 40s rely on:

• Hormone & Blood Sugar Balance Cookbook - Full of delicious, cosy, anti-inflammatory recipes that help stabilise your mood, energy, and digestion - especially during winter.

• Free Blood Sugar Cheat Sheet - Quick, simple guidance to reduce cravings, feel calmer, and enjoy the holidays without the energy rollercoaster. Send me a quick email here if you want a copy

This December, You Don’t Need Another Health Checklist

You need understanding.You need calm. You need support. You need breathing room.You need nourishment - not rules.

And most of all?

You need someone to tell you the truth:

✨ You’re exhausted because December hits women 40+ differently.

✨ Your body isn’t failing you - it’s asking for support.

✨ And the moment you listen… everything feels easier.

I’m here to help you do exactly that.