3 Common Health Symptoms We Normalise (and Why You Don’t Have To)
Often in clinic and in everyday conversations, I hear people say things like:
‘I just assumed it was normal to feel this tired.’
‘I thought bloating after every meal was just part of getting older.’
‘I’ve always been anxious, isn’t that just part of my personality?’
The truth is: common doesn’t mean normal.
When you’ve been living with a symptom for a long time, it’s easy to ignore it, adapt to it or build your routine around it, not realising your body is actually asking for support.
Let’s take a look at three common symptoms I regularly see in clinic, what may be driving them and some simple steps to start feeling better.
1) Low energy & constant fatigue
If you’re waking up tired, crashing mid-afternoon, or feeling like you’re on auto-pilot, you’re not alone. Fatigue is one of the most common concerns I work with and it’s rarely about sleep alone.
Possible contributors include:
Blood sugar imbalances
Iron, B12 or vitamin D deficiencies
Thyroid imbalances or hormonal shifts
Poor digestion and nutrient absorption
Emotional burnout and ongoing stress
Try this:
Keep an energy diary for 3-5 days. Note what you eat, when you feel dips in energy, and any mood changes. You’ll often spot patterns that can help you start making small changes.
2) Frequent Bloating
Some bloating from time to time is completely natural, especially after a large meal or during the luteal phase of your cycle. However, when it becomes a daily occurrence or disruptive, it may be time to take a closer look.
Potential causes include:
Gut microbiome imbalances
Food sensitivities
Poor digestion
Hormonal fluctuations
Eating habits (e.g. eating quickly or whilst distracted)
Try this:
Practice food hygiene: chew thoroughly, eat slowly, and avoid drinking large amounts of water 15 minutes either side of meals as this can dilute stomach acid levels. Keeping a food and symptom diary can also be very helpful, especially if you suspect a food intolerance.
3) Persistent feelings of anxiety
Feeling anxious now and then is part of life but if it becomes your baseline, it’s worth exploring why.
Some factors that could be contributing:
Blood sugar fluctuations
High caffeine intake or excessive screen time
Nutrient imbalances
Gut-brain connection
Hormonal shifts or thyroid function
Try this:
Start noting down when anxiety feels most noticeable. Is it mid-morning? Post-lunch? After scrolling? After that second coffee on an empty stomach? Self-awareness is the first step towards finding what helps.
Looking for Support?
If any of these feel familiar, know that you don’t have to figure it out by yourself.
I offer personalised 1:1 nutrition consultations in Muswell Health to help you uncover the root causes of what you’re experiencing and guide you through sustainable and realistic changes, all grounded in science.
Book a free 20-minute discovery call to learn more.
Juliette Martin: Nutritional Therapist dip CNM, mBANT, CNHC
