4 Possible Reasons You're Always Tired
Life can be stressful and, quite frankly, exhausting at times. It’s normal to sometimes feel a bit rundown or tired. But if you’re constantly feeling tired despite getting a full night’s sleep, then there may be something impacting the quality of your rest. Here are a few possible reasons that you’re always feeling tired. Try implementing a few of these changes and see if your rest improves. If not, consider talking to your doctor about a sleep study so you can pinpoint the cause of your sleep troubles and get them treated.
Relying on Caffeine
When you’re tired, it’s natural to turn to caffeine for a quick pick-me-up. And while this is okay earlier in the day—at least for most people—drinking caffeine too late into the evening could be interfering with your sleep cycle. When you hit that afternoon slump at work, consider looking for a more natural pick-me-up, like eating an apple or taking a brisk walk around the building, instead of reaching for that coffee, soda, or energy drink.
Caffeine impacts everyone differently, so even if your friend can have a coffee after dinner without any sleep problems, that doesn’t mean the same is true of you. Try cutting back your caffeine intake after lunch and see if your sleep improves.
Improper Nutrition
Life gets busy, and when that happens, many people turn to fast food or prepackaged, processed meals for a quick and easy meal. These meals are usually heavy in refined carbs, grease, and fats, all of which can make you feel sluggish after consumption. Plus, they contribute to weight gain, which can further impact your energy levels.
You should be trying to eat healthy foods that are high in protein and fiber to keep your energy up throughout the day. Don’t think you have to avoid carbs either; just look for complex, nutrient-dense carbs instead of simple, processed carbs. These will keep you fueled and energized all day.
Another habit some people develop when they get busy is skipping meals or simply not eating enough; you may also be doing this in an attempt to lose weight. However, in sufficient calorie consumption will make you feel exhausted all day long. Remember, food is fuel; give your body enough of it to keep running throughout the day.
Sleep Apnea
Sleep apnea can significantly impact the quality of your sleep. So, even if you get a full night’s rest, you can wake up feeling exhausted. If you have a partner in your bed or a roommate, they might tell you that you snore or seem to stop breathing in your sleep; these are major indicators of sleep apnea. If you don’t have someone sleeping in the same room as you, but you suspect you have sleep apnea, speak to your doctor about a sleep study so they can make a formal diagnosis and help you find treatment.
Most sleep apnea is easily treated through the use of a CPAP machine. These devices help to keep airways clear to improve the flow of oxygen while you sleep. Once you start using a CPAP machine, you’ll notice a significant improvement in the quality of your sleep. If you need a CPAP machine or any associated accessories or cleaning products for it, stop by a Medical Xpress location near you.
Late-Night Screen Time
Many people use screens immediately before bed. Whether it’s watching TV, playing a computer game, or scrolling through social media on your phone, screen time is likely a central part of how you “wind down” before bed. But that screen could actually be interfering with your sleep. Screens produce blue light, which can interfere with your body’s natural sleep rhythms. We won’t get into the detailed science of it here, but suffice it to say that the light from your electronics disrupts the production of the hormones that tell your brain it’s time to sleep.
Try cutting down on screen time at night. Instead of making screens your way to wind down, try reading a book or doing some gentle stretches or meditation. This will help to get your body and your mind into a better place for sleep. You should also consider adjusting your phone’s lighting at night so that it utilizes more red light than blue light after sunset. Most phones have a setting to do this.
Sufficient sleep is a central part of a healthy lifestyle. If you’re getting a full night’s rest but still wake up feeling exhausted, consider the changes mentioned above. Or, ask your doctor for a sleep study to help determine what’s wrong. If you’re diagnosed with sleep apnea, Medical Xpress has the CPAP equipment you need to help manage your condition and get you a full night’s rest. Call or stop by today.