Interesting Reasons Why You're Always Tired

Most people know what it’s like to be tired. But living in a constant state of fatigue is different. Fatigue is a persistent and relapsing state of exhaustion. Little things throughout your day could be making you mentally and physically tired without you even realizing it. If you get enough sleep at night but still feel tired all the time, it could be a sign of a larger issue you should have checked by a doctor. But luckily most of these issues can easily be fixed on your own.

You Don’t Exercise Enough

It sounds contradicting, but the lack of exercise can make you even more tired. A study conducted by the University of Georgia found that exercising for twenty minutes per day three times per week decreased fatigue in sedentary adults. Exercising regularly boosts energy, endurance, and strength and increases oxygen flow throughout the body. Enhance your workout experience by taking it outdoors. The combination of fresh air and physical activity will help ease feelings of exhaustion long after you’re done.

You Are Dehydrated

Water makes up sixty percent of your body weight. So when you don’t drink enough, exhaustion can set in. Every process within your body requires water. Imagine how hard your body has to work to complete these basic tasks when it’s not properly hydrated. Even a small amount of dehydration such as two percent of normal fluid loss can sap your energy levels. Lack of water in the body causes the blood to thicken by activating a reduction in blood volume. This makes your heart work less efficiently, which reduces the speed that nutrients and oxygen normally take to get to your organs and muscles.

You Have Iron Deficient Anemia

If your iron levels are low, you may be experiencing fatigue associated with iron deficient anemia. Iron deficiency usually makes you feel weak, unable to focus, irritable and sluggish. Iron is needed to carry oxygen throughout the body. Without adequate iron levels, you may be struggling to get out of bed every morning. Food sources of iron include red meat, beans, tofu, eggs, nuts, legumes and green leafy vegetables. Be sure to pair your iron foods with a good source of vitamin C as it assists in the absorption of iron. It’s important to note you should see a doctor if you think you have iron deficient anemia as this may be a sign of an underlying health problem.

You Are Electronically Charged

If you can’t sleep at night, it might be because you have a hard time turning off the electronics and your brain before going to sleep. Swedish researchers found sleep patterns may be disrupted by using a mobile phone one hour before bed. Be sure to unplug all of your electronic devices at least one hour before going to bed. Try reading a book, talking with your partner or meditating for a few minutes each night before lying down and keep all electronics out of your bedroom.

You Have A Hormone Imbalance

Adrenal fatigue is a hormonal imbalance that occurs when the adrenal gland doesn’t make adequate amounts of cortisolor the stress hormone. This can occur when a person is under a great deal of emotional, physical or mental stress. When your adrenal glands fail to produce enough cortisol, this may cause exhaustion. Your thyroid may also play a role in hormonal imbalance as it produces a hormone that controls energy levels. An underactive thyroid gland can easily result in fatigue because your cells aren’t properly working. Talk to your doctor if you think you may have a hormonal imbalance and get a proper diagnosis.

You Are An Over-Thinker Or Do-er

If you have so much on your mind that you can’t fall asleep at night, you may want to consider a coping method. Meditation is a great way to clear your mind and help you fall asleep at night. Staying awake and thinking about what you have to do the next day will only exhaust you even more. Maybe it’s time to start saying no to projects that you can’t handle right now.

You Eat An Improper Diet

A diet that is high in refined sugar and simple carbohydrates may be responsible for your constant state of exhaustion. Sugary and highly processed foods cause a spike in blood sugar levels, which can leave you feeling tired and probably hungry all the time as well. No matter how many sugary foods you eat, you aren’t really nourishing your body. If you notice your energy levels are sapped every time you eat, it’s time to lay off the sugar. Aim for low-glycemic foods that won’t cause a dramatic increase in blood sugar levels such as brown rice, lean meats, salmon, sweet potatoes, nuts, fruits, and vegetables. Eating too close to bedtime can also keep you tossing and turning at night as your body tries to digest the food you just ate. A good rule of thumb is to eat your last meal approximately three hours before going to bed.

You Drink Before Bedtime

Having a drink before bed may seem like a good way to unwind, but alcohol has been shown to produce the opposite effect. Alcohol depresses the central nervous system, which can cause you to get sleepy. But when it is metabolized, alcohol creates a surge in the adrenaline system that can cause you to wake up in the middle of the night.

You Are Magnesium Deficient

Magnesium is often an overlooked nutrient in chronic fatigue syndrome, a condition that causes constant tiredness and depression. Magnesium is found in foods such as brazil nuts, tuna, yogurt, broccoli, corn, and green beans. Both excess alcohol and the birth control pill may cause a magnesium deficiency. Talk to your doctor about chronic fatigue syndrome and increasing your magnesium intake.

You Sleep Too Much

How can sleeping too much make you constantly tired? Because it throws off your body’s internal clock or the amount of time you’re supposed to be exposed to daylight. Resist the urge to sleep in on the weekends or spend hours on a nap. You may gain more energy from a twenty minute nap than a two hour nap.