Chronic fatigue: why is sleep no longer enough?

When fatigue is still within normal range

Fatigue that can be considered "normal" appears after a busy period, a short spell of poor sleep, a major emotional event, an infection, or an excessive workload. It generally resolves within a few days with rest, longer nights, a lighter pace, and better nutrition.​

In short, you notice your energy returning fairly quickly, even if you still feel a little sluggish: this is a sign that your internal reserves are holding up and beginning to replenish.

When sleep is no longer enough: chronic fatigue

Fatigue can be described as chronic when it has lasted for several weeks or months, does not go away despite rest, and clearly impacts your daily life (at work, at home, in your social life).​

Women affected by this issue often describe:

• Overwhelming fatigue from the moment of waking, as though the night had served no purpose.​
• Difficulty concentrating, a feeling of mental fog, and frequent forgetfulness.
• Heightened sensitivity to stress, irritability, and mood swings.
• Sleep disturbances (night wakings, unrefreshing sleep).
• Sometimes chronic pain (periods, endometriosis, muscle tension), headaches, or digestive issues.

If you are experiencing this, it is not a lack of willpower. It is your body stuck in survival mode, with energy and nervous reserves at their lowest. For women with endometriosis, this fatigue is often amplified by persistent pain and inflammation.

Mental load: when your brain just won't switch off

Mental load is that constant background task running in your head: thinking of everything, all the time, for everyone. Studies show that women bear the brunt of it: 71% report a high mental load both at home and at work[1]. Many are juggling work, household management, parenting responsibilities, medical appointments (for themselves and their children), administration, and sometimes chronic illness. On top of this can come near-constant pressure to perform and be available. The result: the stress system (cortisol, adrenaline) is activated continuously, even while you sleep.

This chronic stress is not without consequences:

• It fragments sleep and reduces its restorative quality.
• Under repeated stress, the body mobilises more magnesium, which is then excreted more rapidly by the kidneys, gradually depleting reserves and leaving the nervous system more vulnerable[2].
• It contributes to mental, emotional and nervous fatigue, which ultimately manifests as physical fatigue too.

In other words, even when you sleep, your brain remains on alert, and your stores of magnesium and B vitamins are constantly being drawn upon.

Oxidative stress: when your cells are overheating

Oxidative stress refers to an imbalance between the production of free radicals (reactive oxygen species) and the capacity of antioxidant defences to neutralise them. It is promoted by chronic stress, inflammation, certain illnesses, pollution, and an unbalanced diet. Under normal conditions, the body has antioxidant systems to maintain this balance, but when free radical production surges, cells — and in particular their mitochondria, the true "energy powerhouses" — are damaged, disrupting energy production[3][4][5].

The consequences may include:

• Less efficient energy production, and persistent fatigue.
• Increased needs for vitamins B, C, E, zinc, and selenium, which contribute to energy production and to the protection of cells from oxidative stress.
• For women with endometriosis or other inflammatory conditions, oxidative stress is often very high, which further aggravates exhaustion.

This is where a large part of chronic fatigue plays out: your cells are running at full capacity, but cannot rely on enough cofactors (vitamins, minerals) to sustain quality energy.

Magnesium: the mineral for the nervous system and energy

Magnesium is a cofactor in more than 300 enzymatic reactions, particularly those involved in energy production, and plays a central role in the functioning of the nervous system[6]. When levels are insufficient, the following symptoms are often observed: fatigue, irritability, sleep disturbances, muscle tension, and heightened sensitivity to stress.

The problem is that chronic stress increases magnesium loss and the body's consumption of this mineral. The longer the system remains on alert, the more your reserves are depleted — precisely at the moment when you need them most to regain restorative sleep and greater emotional stability.

B vitamins: supporting your nervous system

B vitamins (B1, B2, B3, B5, B6, B8, B9, B12) are at the heart of cellular energy production, nervous system health, and emotional balance. They are involved in the metabolism of carbohydrates, fats, and proteins in order to convert them into usable energy, and in the synthesis of certain neurotransmitters involved in mood and stress management.

Research shows that:

• Several B vitamins (notably B2, B3, B5, B6, B9, B12) contribute to reducing fatigue and maintaining normal energy metabolism.
• Vitamins B6, B8, and B12 contribute to the normal functioning of the nervous system, and some of them (B3, B6, B9, B12) to normal psychological function[7].

However, chronic stress, an occasionally unbalanced diet, and certain specific situations (post-partum, heavy periods, poorly managed vegetarianism…) can increase your need for B vitamins or reduce your intake of them.

Magnesium + B vitamins: an anti-exhaustion duo

Several clinical studies suggest that the combination of magnesium and B vitamins, particularly vitamin B6, is beneficial for supporting nervous balance and coping better with stress and fatigue. B vitamins contribute to energy production, while magnesium is a cofactor in many enzymatic reactions and is involved in the regulation of the nervous system[8][9].

This means: less nervous and physical fatigue, better stress tolerance, and more restorative sleep — provided this supplementation is combined with an appropriate lifestyle.

The hormonal rollercoaster

Menstrual cycle, postpartum, breastfeeding, perimenopause… a woman's hormonal life is anything but linear. These different phases, which can be more or less challenging depending on the person, are often accompanied by an increased need for micronutrients (B vitamins, vitamin D, iron, iodine, etc.) and a heightened vulnerability to fatigue, irritability, and sleep disturbances.

Some women describe, for example, extreme fatigue before their period, low mood, migraines, or sleep disturbances — signs that their body is struggling to cope with these hormonal fluctuations. Here too, the role of oxidative stress, inflammation, and micronutrient deficiencies is regularly highlighted.

Endometriosis: chronic inflammation and persistent fatigue

Endometriosis is a chronic inflammatory condition that exhausts the body at a deep level. On top of managing pain, the women affected often juggle a demanding medical journey, workplace adjustments, and constant anticipation (periods, flare-ups), all of which add further weight to an already significant mental load.

This chronic inflammation inevitably has consequences: increased oxidative stress, greater mobilisation of vitamin and mineral reserves, and worsening fatigue — even when sleep is quantitatively adequate[10].

This is why a holistic approach (medical support, healthy lifestyle habits, and micronutritional support) is so important in helping the women affected to restore their energy levels.

Before talking about supplementation, it is important to focus on the basics first. Without a few foundations in place, even the best nutrients will struggle to work wonders:

• Sleep: regular sleep times, natural light in the morning, limiting screens in the evening, creating a wind-down routine before bed (reading, breathing exercises, a warm shower…).
• Movement: gentle physical activity (walking, yoga, Pilates, stretching) to ease the nervous system and support endorphin production.​
• Mental load management: delegate where possible, simplify, set boundaries, ask for help, seek professional support if needed.
• Diet: limit sugar, ultra-processed foods, and alcohol; prioritise vegetables, pulses, wholegrains, nuts, and healthy fats — sources of B and C vitamins.

In certain situations (intense pace, chronic stress, health conditions, functional deficiencies), these different factors are not always sufficient to rapidly replenish stores.

Why consider a multivitamin supplement?

In the case of persistent fatigue linked to prolonged stress, a high mental load, or an inflammatory context, a well-targeted multivitamin supplement can:

• Providing, in a single daily dose, several key vitamins and minerals that contribute to improving your energy metabolism and stress management.
• Offer better-absorbed forms, genuinely useful to the body (bisglycinate, methylated vitamins, active forms)
• Act as a temporary support while you re-establish a healthier lifestyle.

It is precisely with this in mind that Jolly Mama developed Mama Essentials.

Mama Essentials is a multivitamin specifically formulated for women, with 15 essential nutrients to support energy, brain function, and everyday wellbeing.

With just 2 capsules per day, you provide your body with:

• To reduce fatigue: vitamins B2, B3, B5, B6, B9, B12 and vitamin C help to reduce feelings of tiredness.
• For the nervous system and mental wellbeing: vitamins B2, B6, B8, B12 and C contribute to the normal functioning of the nervous system, while vitamins B3, B6, B8, B9, B12 and C support normal psychological function. Vitamin B5 contributes to normal intellectual performance and zinc contributes to normal cognitive function.
• For skin, hair and nails: vitamin C contributes to normal collagen formation for the skin. Biotin (B8), zinc and selenium help to maintain normal hair, and vitamins B2, B3, B8 as well as zinc and selenium contribute to the maintenance of normal skin and nails.
• For energy and immunity: vitamins B1, B2, B3, B5, B6, B12, biotin and vitamin C support normal energy metabolism. Vitamins B9, B12, D3 and selenium contribute to the normal functioning of the immune system, whilst vitamins B2, C, E, zinc and selenium help to protect cells against oxidative stress.

The Mama Essential formula is 100% vegan, made in France, gluten-free, with nutrients in bisglycinate, methylated and patented forms (such as vitamin B9 Quatrefolic®, vitamin K2 K2VITAL®, choline Vitacholine®, and zinc bisglycinate).

Mama Essentials is suitable for adult women (outside of pregnancy and breastfeeding, unless advised by a healthcare professional), particularly in cases of fatigue, a demanding lifestyle, or an occasionally unbalanced diet. If you are pregnant, breastfeeding, taking anticoagulant medication, or have a chronic condition, speak to your healthcare professional first.