If you have been feeling like you simply do not have the energy to get through the day and like you are napping way too often, then there might be a reason you’re feeling more sleepy than you should. Here, we’re going to look at five of the most common causes of feeling overly tired and what you can do about it.
You’re not getting enough sleep
One of the simplest reasons and perhaps most often the root cause of your energy trouble is that you are either getting not enough sleep, or the quality of sleep you are getting is not high enough. Getting a good night’s sleep typically means making sure that you’re preparing the appropriate environment for sleep and getting ready for bed properly. This means you start winding down at least 45 minutes before bed, turning off all screens, getting through a proper bedtime routine.
You’re waking up wrong
When you wake up is just as important as how much sleep you get. We all go through cycles called REM cycles as we sleep. This is the deepest point of sleep and, if we wake up during one, we can feel extra tired in the morning, which can affect our energy levels throughout the day. You want to set your alarm for when you’re at your lightest point of sleep, between REM cycles, and sites like Sleepytime can be a great help for that.
You need to build some stamina
A lack of exercise is going to lead to you feeling lethargic. However, how do you get moving when you don’t have any energy? Starting with low impact exercises such as tai chi, through TCHI, can help you build that stamina. These exercises still test the body, build some muscle, and get you moving, but at a pace that is easier to get into initially. Then you start ramping things up as you get used to the workouts that you’re doing.
You should eat more energetic foods
Of course, nutrition can play just as much of a role, or perhaps even more of a role, in how tired or energetic you feel. A balanced diet is crucial to help you fuel your body’s processes effectively and efficiently. Otherwise, there are foods like those shown by SDA that can specifically target feelings of fatigue.
You might be stressed out
Stress and sleep have a very complex relationship. Not enough sleep can cause the body to be worse at regulating cortisol. Cortisol causes feelings of stress and can also make it harder to relax and sleep at night. If you’re feeling a little frazzled at the end of the day, finding your opportunity to relax, such as with the help of a meditation app, can make a big difference.
Lastly, there are medical conditions that can lead to exhaustion and tiredness beyond what you should naturally be feeling. Don’t feel like you should be handling an energy problem alone. Talk to your doctor and see if there are any underlying issues you should be dealing with.
Photo by Karolina Grabowska
