There’s a certain kind of tired that hits this time of year.
The end of the school year comes with its own unique pace—wrapping up lessons, events, activities, emotions. And then, just when you think you might get a break… summer shows up full and busy in its own way.
Life doesn’t slow down. It just shifts.
And if I (Jen) am being honest… I’m tired. Not just “I need a nap” tired. But deep, worn-out, don’t-have-anything-left tired. I’ve been feeling this way all year and for months now, and I’ve honestly been too tired to cook.
Why Dinner Feels So Hard (Especially When You’re Exhausted)
We’ve talked a lot about blood sugar balance and how it supports cortisol, energy, and overall hormone health. But even if you’re not actively trying to heal your cortisol levels, keeping your blood sugar stable is just good, foundational health.
The problem? That kind of consistency requires intention. And intention requires energy.
And when you’re running on empty and too tired to cook, it’s really easy to default to convenience—takeout, frozen pizza, or just skipping a real meal altogether.
I’ve been there more nights than I’d like to admit. And giving in to the “easy”, definitely isn’t helping my cortisol or health goals.
The Simplest Dinner Shift That Changed Everything
Recently, I came across a post from a woman I’ve followed for over a decade. It’s Laura from Heavenly Homemakers. Her advice in her blog post entitled, “How to Still Eat Healthy When You’re in Survival Mode” (yeah…the title jumped right out at me!) was almost laughably simple:
That’s it.
No complicated recipes.
No standing over the stove.
And no decision fatigue at 5 p.m.
Just:
- Chicken
- A simple sauce
- Turn it on in the morning
- Let it cook all day.
Why This Works (Even When You’re Completely Drained)
This one small shift has made a bigger difference than I expected.
Because it eliminates the hardest part: thinking and taking action when you’re already exhausted.
By moving the effort to the morning—when my energy is naturally higher—I’ve created a rhythm that supports me later in the day.
And at dinner time? I have warm, ready-to-eat protein waiting.
Add:
- Fresh veggies
- Anything you have in the fridge
- Maybe some rice or potatoes if that works for your body
And suddenly… dinner is done.
Blood Sugar, Protein, and Real-Life Sustainability
This simple habit has helped me stay consistent with something that really matters: getting enough protein at dinner.
Instead of the blood sugar rollercoaster that comes with quick, processed meals, this approach supports:
- More stable energy
- Better evening cortisol patterns
- Fewer late-night cravings
- A calmer nervous system overall
And maybe most importantly… It feels doable.
When You’re Healing, Simplicity Matters
If you’re working on healing your nervous system, lowering stress, or just trying to feel better in your body, like I am you don’t need more complicated systems.
You need supportive rhythms that match your real life.
Lately, this has looked like something incredibly simple. In the morning, I’ll put chicken in the crockpot and add an easy sauce—nothing complicated or time-consuming. If you need ideas, here’s a printable with lots of options, and right now I’ve been loving the no-sugar sauces from G Hughes. Then I just let it cook and carry me through the day.
By the time dinner rolls around, it’s already done. The leftovers turn into easy lunches the next day, dinner becomes one less decision I have to make, and my body is finally getting the nourishment it’s been needing—even in a season where I feel completely worn out.
Final Thought
If you’re in a season where you feel stretched thin…you’re not alone.
And this isn’t about doing everything perfectly.
It’s about finding small, sustainable shifts that support your body—even on the days when you have nothing left to give.
Sometimes, healing looks like rest.
Sometimes, it looks like saying no.
And sometimes…it looks like chicken in a crockpot and a jar of sauce.
Recipes to get you started when you’re too tired to cook
Even as simple as this sounds, I still found myself asking, “what kinds of sauce am I dumping on chicken?” If you’re asking yourself the same thing, here are some starter recipes.
I have this printed and hanging on my fridge. Click the picture to get the printable today.
