Fatigue every afternoon - How can I get more energy?

@ejjr Boy, you sound like you’re in great shape! Except that you experience fatigue. Have your doctors done a stress test? Or had you wear a Holter monitor? And maybe a sleep test for sleep apnea:
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/sleep-apnea/symptoms-causes/syc-20377631
Stress test:
https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/heart-tests#:~:text=Most%20often%2C%20a%20stress%20test,about%2010%20to%2015%20minutes.
Holter monitor:
https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/treatment-tests-and-therapies/holter-monitor#:~:text=What%20is%20a%20Holter%20monitor,used%20to%20check%20the%20heart.
These tests may show nothing at all, but they could be very useful in your fatigue problem. Have you had these tests before? Would you be willing to try?

This thread starts with: I am 75 and am very tired every afternoon. I need a two hour nap. My blood work is good. Any comments that can help me get more energy?

Since turning 80 I feel a 30 min nap most days (on top of a sound 8 hr sleep) does make my waking hours fully energized.

Haven't seen my provider for over eight years. But I do what is basic for fit and healthy life: Mostly plant based food (see Harvard Health, e.g.) daily physical exertion engaging all parts of body and Using brain/intellectual work. There's a reason Brain uses 20X calories than muscle. (The first time I found, I had to look it up!).

Except for checking my pulse rate as I walk up stairs in my building often returning with 20 lbs of grocery and seeing if I can walk up beyond the 2nd floor my apt. is, I get to more than twice my normal rate after three more floors and continue with another 3 to 5 to feel the top huffnpuff level.
I rarely done any tests, take no meds, supplmts. But I am sure, like most of us , we were much stronger as young adults. No point Comparing our older selves with the younger us, only we can try what OUR near-best is

Well, I don’t tend to blame on my age, but I do wonder if the medical community leans that way 😂

I don’t know what medications you may be on, but fatigue is a side effect of many medications. In my case it’s the nerve pain and aching pain that comes from arthritis of the low back. This is causing me to seriously look at possible alternatives and is motivating me to follow through with exercises recommended by physical therapists. I hope this motivation lasts.

I'm 78 and take a nap almost every day after lunch. I love it but it may be a bad habit. The longer you sit idle the harder it is to get going or regain what you lose when you're inert. I used to think it took me about 3 months to get in shape and about 3 idle days to lose it. Today it's harder. My best bet is a set of sensible stretching breathing exercises for energy. Forget the "no pain, no gain" stuff you pay for and try the Mindful Breathing. Works for me! Patrick

A bit of synthesis here on useful comments. My feeling is--if you have ruled out anything medically worrisome that could be causing fatigue you may as well accept nature's beautiful gift of an afternoon rest or nap. This is usual in numerous (often hot) countries and can be a huge benefit in terms of recharge. I think the feeling of needing to be alert and productive all the time is in itself exhausting! Many creative thinkers like a nap--it is a mental reset. I've taken a nap pretty much every day starting in high school--and yes, I've worked full time (with a futon in my office!), been a single mom, and had many adventures so I don't feel I've missed out on being awake.

I take beet root powder and it gives me a lot of energy. I tend to lose energy around 2pm so I try to take it an hour before - it makes a difference.

Whole nations take afternoon naps- siestas, so that is not too worrisome. I take (medically approved) beetroot supplements, helps my 84 year old self. Google it.

I am 79 years old and I have found that the more I do around the house the more endurance I have. Sure, I take a 20 or 30 minute nap occasionally but for this bod it seems the more I do, the more I am able to do.

I want your reaction. 🙂 You sound wonderful and I wish my health was allowing me all that you do. I'm working at it! 🙂