Hidden signs you’re closer to burnout than you think.

Feeling constantly exhausted, snappy, or just… off?

You’re not imagining it. These could be red flags waving frantically that your body is creeping into burnout territory.

As a Registered Nutritionist specialising in women’s hormonal health, I see this pattern over and over in women who are absolute superheroes - high-functioning, juggling a million things, but hormonally fried underneath it all. And after recently seeing my own DUTCH test results (spoiler: they were shocking and you can view the full video walk through here), I realised burnout sneaks up on us in the sneakiest ways.

But here’s the good news - your body is incredibly responsive when you give it the right support. You can come back from burnout feeling like your fabulous self again.

Let’s dive into those pesky hidden signs…

1. Exhausted… but can’t sleep

Sounds like a cruel joke, right? You’re absolutely shattered but when your head hits the pillow, your brain refuses to switch off.

That’s cortisol playing dirty. Normally, cortisol should taper off at night, helping you wind down and drift off. But if it’s stuck in “fight or flight” mode (thanks, chronic stress and blood sugar drama), you can end up WIRED and exhausted.

Poor sleep makes cortisol worse, which makes sleep worse… it’s a vicious cycle that’ll have you feeling like a zombie at your desk.

2. Tired, even after 8 hours of sleep

Ever wake up and feel like you need three coffees just to function? Your cortisol should spike about 30-60 minutes after waking to get you up and running. If it’s not, your nervous system is stressed out and your body is screaming “help!”

Morning grogginess, zero appetite, and feeling like a slug? Yep, classic signs.

3. You crash hard at 3pm every afternoon

That infamous early afternoon slump? It’s not just a “need more coffee” problem. Your blood sugar and cortisol are probably having a messy break-up behind the scenes, leaving you drained, irritable, and dreaming of a nap under your desk.

4. You’re snappy, teary… or straight-up hangry

Chronic stress is a wrecking ball for your neurotransmitters - the chemicals like serotonin and GABA that keep you calm and happy. Plus, it messes with your blood sugar control, so your emotions swing like a rollercoaster.

Cue mood swings, random tears, and hangriness that could rival a toddler’s tantrum.

5. You’re always getting sick

Are you the one who catches every cold, every time? That’s your immune system waving a white flag.

Under chronic stress, your immune system takes a backseat because survival mode prioritises other functions. This means you get sick more often and recover more slowly.

6. Your libido’s gone MIA

If your sex drive has packed its bags and disappeared, it’s not just a hormone issue - it’s a full-on stress issue.

When cortisol’s sky-high, your body slashes sex hormone production because “making babies” is low priority when you’re in survival mode. So if you’re not feeling frisky, cut yourself some slack - your body’s just protecting you.

7. Your gut suddenly hates everything

New bloating, random food reactions, or an overly sensitive belly? Stress is messing with your digestion.

High cortisol reduces stomach acid and throws off your gut microbiome balance. The gut-brain connection? It’s real - and sensitive AF.

8. Hair thinning or shedding more than usual?

Stress doesn’t just hit your mood and energy - it hits your scalp too.

If you’re noticing more hair on your pillow or in the shower drain, high cortisol might be pushing your hair follicles into “resting” mode way too early, causing more shedding than usual. (Science backs this up too — check out this study)

So, what now?

If this list feels like it was written just for you, don’t ignore the signs! Burnout is sneaky but reversible - with the right lifestyle tweaks, nutritional support, and stress management strategies.

If you want help digging deeper into your hormones, gut, and nervous system, and want a personalised plan that actually fits your life (no generic hormone-balancing programme), I’m here for you.

Ready to take back control of your health and feel amazing all month long?

👉 Book a free 30-minute discovery call with me and let’s chat about your unique hormonal health journey.

You deserve to feel vibrant, balanced, and like you again - without the burnout dragging you down.