Do you feel tired and lethargic every day? What causes tiredness? Well, there could be a number of reasons for that, apart from the obvious one that you aren’t getting enough sleep. Quite obviously, burning the candle at both ends is going to make you tired, but there are some medical reasons that might account for why you always feel tired, or it could just be that a change to some of your lifestyle choices are needed. Having some days that you feel tired and washed out, is only natural, but if it happens too often, then something might need to be done, so read these reasons why you might be feeling tired all the time.
1. It could be your diet
What you eat and drink has a big part to play in how much energy you have during the day. The best advice is to eat regularly throughout the day and start your day off with a good breakfast. Avoid too much sugar and caffeine, because they both cause peaks and troughs in your blood sugar level that will cause you to feel drowsy sometimes.
2. It could be a sign of diabetes
We don’t mean to alarm you, but continuous tiredness can be the sign of an underlying illness that needs attention. Diabetes can make you feel tired and that tiredness will usually be accompanied by weight loss, feeling thirsty and needing to visit the bathroom more often. If you are experiencing these symptoms, then, play it safe and make a visit to your doctor.
3. An irregular sleep pattern
Your body likes to work to a regular routine, so it is important that you stick to a regular pattern of sleep. Always try and get to bed at the same time every night and wake up at the same time in the morning. This will improve the quality of your sleep and make you feel less tired during the day.
4. You could be anaemic
One of the most common medical reasons for tiredness is a lack of iron in the blood. Iron deficiency is very common, but easily remedied. Eat more iron rich foods like liver and dark green vegetables like spinach, or take an iron supplement.
5. You could just be dehydrated
Another cause of fatigue and sleepiness is simple dehydration. Try drinking more pure water and less alcohol and other beverages, and you should feel more alert and awake for longer during the day.
6. Anxiety
It’s hard not to be stressed these days, but anxiety not only makes you restless at night, it will eventually sap your energy too. Anxiety and stress make your body release hormones into your body that increase the rate of your metabolism and will, eventually, leave you feeling tired. Try and make time to relax and do more of the things that you enjoy, so that your body gets a chance to recover from the stress.
7. You are eating too much junk food
Too much fast food and processed food will make you feel tired and sleepy too. They contain high levels of simple carbohydrates and sugar that will cause spikes in your blood sugar levels and cause you to have drowsy spells, when that wears off. Eat more complex carbohydrates that will provide you with a better source of sustained energy, like whole grains and lean meat.
8. You could have an underactive thyroid gland
An underactive thyroid gland will make you feel tired too. If you do have an underactive thyroid gland, then you will probably experience weight gain and your muscles will ache. If these symptoms persist, then visit your doctor and have a blood test done, so that you can be prescribed the appropriate treatment.
9. Depression
Everyone feels low, from time to time, but if you feel down all the time and you are also feeling like you need more sleep, then you could be suffering from mild depression. There is no shame in having depression, it’s an illness that a surprisingly large number of people suffer from. If you think you might be depressed, visit your doctor and they may recommend you a solution.
10. You might just need to exercise more
Funnily enough, the most common cause of tiredness is that you are not getting enough exercise. Sitting at a desk all day is going to make you feel more tired, than taking a brisk walk. Get up and walk around more often and build some more physical exercise into your day and you will sleep better and feel more awake during the day.
What causes tiredness? What are your thoughts?
Stay happy and healthy!
