Why is my teen always tired?
- New Pathways Programme
- Nov 3, 2024
- 4 min read
Updated: 3 days ago
Why is my teen always tired?
If you’re a parent constantly asking, “Why is my teen always tired?” — you’re not alone. Tiredness in teens is incredibly common, but that doesn’t make it any less worrying when it affects your child’s wellbeing, school attendance, or quality of life.
Tiredness in teenagers can be completely normal, but it can also be a sign of something more serious, such as teenage CFS (Chronic Fatigue Syndrome), especially when it persists for weeks or months.
In this article, we explore what causes tiredness in teens, what parents can do to help, and when it might be time to seek professional support.
Understanding tiredness in teens
Teenagers are known for staying up late and struggling to get out of bed — but there are genuine biological reasons for this. During puberty, a teen’s internal body clock (circadian rhythm) shifts, meaning they naturally feel sleepy later at night. Yet they still have to wake early for school or college, leading to chronic tiredness in teens.
Other normal causes of tiredness in teenagers
Hormonal changes during puberty
Increased demands from school, exams, sports, and social life
Overstimulation from devices, games, and social media
Blue light exposure reducing melatonin (the sleep hormone)
Nutritional deficiencies or skipping meals
Irregular sleep routines
If your teen is only tired occasionally or improves with more rest and lifestyle tweaks, it’s usually nothing to worry about. But if the fatigue is ongoing and unexplained, it might be something deeper — like teen CFS.
When tiredness in teenagers becomes a concern
Have you tried everything — limiting screen time, encouraging a regular bedtime, balancing your teen’s weekly schedule — but they’re still exhausted?
This ongoing exhaustion may be a symptom of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome in teens, also known as Teenage CFS. While still poorly understood, CFS is a serious and often disabling condition that affects energy levels, concentration, immunity, and daily functioning.
If you're Googling “Why is my teenager always tired?”, it may be time to consider that this isn’t just normal puberty fatigue — but something that requires specialist help.
Teen CFS: A misunderstood condition
Teen CFS isn’t just about being tired. It’s a complex condition, often with a stress-related origin, that causes long-lasting fatigue not relieved by rest.
Common symptoms of Teen CFS include:
Constant exhaustion
Brain fog or difficulty concentrating
Sleep problems
Dizziness or nausea
Sensitivity to light or sound
Feeling worse after physical or mental exertion
The link between stress and teen CFS
One of the most overlooked causes of tiredness in teens is emotional or psychological stress. While some stress can be motivating, chronic stress has a damaging impact on the nervous system and body.
Stress can push the body into a constant “fight or flight” mode, where the brain perceives everything as a threat. This overstimulated state keeps the body wired but exhausted — and if left unaddressed, it can lead to a cycle of stress, burnout, and ultimately, teenage CFS.
How does stress cause tiredness in teenagers?
There are two types of stress:
External stressors: exams, family conflict, bullying, illness, trauma
Internal stressors: negative thoughts, pressure to perform, fear of failure, perfectionism
In both cases, the body’s stress response becomes chronically activated. This drains energy, disrupts sleep, and compromises the immune system — all of which contribute to severe tiredness in teens and potential CFS.
Breaking the cycle of teen CFS
At New Pathways, we specialise in helping teens and young people break free from this debilitating cycle. If you suspect your child may be stuck in a pattern of chronic tiredness or teen CFS, we’re here to help.
Our programme works by gently retraining the brain and nervous system to move out of survival mode and back into a healthy, regulated state.
How the New Pathways Programme helps tired teens
We teach young people:
How to calm the body’s stress response
How to build emotional resilience
How to rewire unhelpful thought patterns
How to restore healthy sleep and energy levels
How to regain motivation and joy in everyday life
Our approach is gentle, science-based, and easy to integrate into daily routines. It’s specifically designed for teenagers dealing with CFS, chronic tiredness, or post-viral fatigue.
Real stories from tired teens who recovered
We’ve helped hundreds of young people overcome teen fatigue and CFS, including those who had been dismissed by doctors or told they’d just “grow out of it.” Two such examples include:
Emma, who had to drop out of school due to chronic tiredness, now thriving and back to full-time education.
Darragh, who couldn’t leave the house because of fatigue, is now back to playing sports and living a full teenage life.
You can read more on our testimonials page — and see just how transformational this journey can be.
Still wondering why your teenager is always tired?
If you’ve been asking yourself “Why is my teen always tired?” for weeks or months and still have no answers — don’t wait any longer. Persistent tiredness in teenagers deserves real support.
We invite you to book a free discovery call to speak with us and find out whether our programme could help your teen. Even if you’ve tried everything, there is a proven path to recovery.
Final thoughts on tiredness in teens
Tiredness in teens is often dismissed as “just part of being a teenager.” But when exhaustion lingers and starts to affect every part of life, it’s time to take a deeper look. Whether it’s lifestyle, stress, or something more complex like teen CFS, you don’t have to face it alone.
We’re here to help you and your teenager recover their energy, resilience, and confidence.
👉 Book a free consultation below to find out how we can help your teen feel like themselves again.