Enter our 40s: in a time that should be less stressful as kids become more independent and careers are more settled, many of us feel like hitting snooze more than ever before. Don’t worry— you aren’t having a midlife crisis. Feeling more tired in your 40s is normal, and there are things you can do to increase your energy levels instantly. First, let’s talk about what might be causing your fatigue.

When many of us think about hormones, we are brought back to our teenage years. During puberty, there is a surge in hormone production, leading to physical and emotional changes. We might remember having to learn to use a razor after our first leg hairs began to crop up or figuring out how a tampon works in the school bathroom. While our hormones first start to play a role in our lives during those teenage years, they actually affect our bodies throughout the rest of our lives too.