Why You’re Still Tired — And How to Fix It (with Dr. Andy Galpin)
Mark Hyman
Jun 18, 2025
Mindsip insights from this episode:
Recognize afternoon fatigue as a normal physiological response
Feeling a bit tired in the afternoon is a normal physiological response and should not automatically be pathologized as a disorder or deficiency.
Monitor sodium-to-potassium ratio to identify overtraining stress
A low sodium-to-potassium ratio in blood work can indicate high allostatic load from overtraining, signaling a need for rest rather than a dietary change.
Build high-quality muscle to prevent metabolic problems
It is extraordinarily rare to have type 2 diabetes if you have high-quality muscle mass, making it a key defense against metabolic issues.
Build resilience to thrive through life's challenges
The goal isn't to be anti-aging by minimizing all risk, but to be anti-fragile by building the resilience to handle life's insults and enjoy experiences.
Avoid obsession with sleep trackers to prevent orthosomnia
Obsessing over data from consumer sleep trackers can induce a clinical sleep disorder known as orthosomnia.
Establish consistent wind-down routine to signal sleep
The key to a successful wind-down routine is the consistent pattern of activities, which acts as a Pavlovian cue to signal your body it's time for sleep.
Aim for resilient sleep over optimal sleep
Instead of striving to be an optimal sleeper, it's more beneficial to be a resilient sleeper who can perform well even with inconsistent schedules.
Prioritize sleep regularity over total hours for better energy
For your perceived energy levels, sleep regularity will have a bigger impact than the total number of hours you sleep.
Train your brain for toughness through discomfort
Pushing through discomfort develops specific areas of the brain, meaning toughness is a learnable skill that can be physically built.
More from
Mark Hyman
From Drug Smuggler to Healer: How Nick Brewer Created Primal Moves
The Silent Fire Behind Chronic Disease—and How to Put It Out
One Dose That Heals Addiction, PTSD, and Brain Injury? Dr. Nolan Williams on The Science of Ibogaine
The Nutrient Blueprint for a Longer, Healthier Life
The Biohacks Ben Greenfield No Longer Uses (and What He Does Instead)
You also might be interested in
The Destruction & Awakening of Elizabeth Gilbert
MIT Neuroscientist: The Ultimate Nootropic For Memory
How To Deal With The Fear Of Death (Ethics Of Longevity)
The Next Evolution of Rhett & Link
A new frontier in neurosurgery: restoring brain function with brain-computer interfaces, advancing glioblastoma care, and new hope for devastating brain diseases | Edward Chang, M.D.