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Life Style / Health

10 Reasons You're Always Tired (That Aren't Lack Of Sleep)

Published: 06 Feb 2015 - 08:35 pm | Last Updated: 18 Jan 2022 - 03:24 am


If you stay up all night watching box sets and are horrified by the 6am alarm, you'll know exactly why you're tired. But if you're getting your forty winks and still feeling lethargic there could be something else going on

If you've tried every sleep trick in the book - reading, camomile tea, early nights - and still find yourself dozing off during the day, it's time to take a closer look at your lifestyle.

Simple tweaks can make all the difference to your quality of sleep, resulting in a happier, more productive you. Here are a few things that could be causing your daytime sleepiness.

You're Dehydrated

Water acts as a transportation system, regulating blood volume and dispersing essential nutrients around the body. As a result, even the slightest shortage of h2o can leave you feeling tired and lethargic.

No matter how much you dislike the taste of water, it's important that you get your eight glasses a day to avoid dehydration. Fruit, soups, and even cups of tea all count towards your daily fluid intake - but be aware of excess sugars, as these too can make you sleepy.
 
You're Skipping Exercise

Everyone's knows the benefits of exercise - it keeps you fit and healthy, and releases those lovely endorphins that make you feel amazing. But when it actually comes down to reaching for your gym bag and lacing up the running shoes, sometimes lounging in front of the TV seems like the better option. After work, you're just too tired to run 30 mins on the treadmill.

However, skipping daily workouts can actually make you sleepier. A study conducted by the University of Georgia found that even 20 minute bursts of exercise three times a week can help you feel more energised. Ditch the bright TV screens that work your mind into overdrive before bedtime and give your body the exercise it needs to function effectively.

You're Burnt Out

Work hard play hard isn't the best way to live if you're constantly trying to catch forty winks. The fast lane isn't for everyone, and trying to fit a busy work / social life into 24hrs can be very demanding for your body. If this sounds all too familiar, consider booking a little 'me time' and get a good night's sleep.

According to health specialists Bupa, the optimum time is eight hours rest. Get into the habit of going to bed and waking up at the same time, as this also helps to keep tiredness at bay.
 
You Skip Breakfast

It's true, breakfast is the most important meal of the day. After 'fasting' throughout the night, your body needs food to replenish and reboot, ready for the day ahead. Fail to eat the necessary nutrients first thing, and you'll start to feel sleepy come 10am. What you need is a hearty breakfast. A quick bowl of cereal is all it takes to stay bright eyed and bushy tailed.

You've A High Sugar Diet

It goes without saying, what you eat has a remarkable effect on your body. Load up on junk food and sweet treats, and your health is the first to suffer. Whilst it feels like the perfect quick-fix in the moment, those sugars are actually having the opposite effect; soon after eating them, you'll start to feel lethargic and in need of another pick me up.

Avoid fizzy drinks for an energy boost and refuel on water - your body will thank you for it. And instead of high-salt fast foods, fill up on fibre-packed fruit and veg that leave you feeling fuller for longer. In The Ultimate Weight Solution, Dr Phil agrees that these 'hunger suppressors' not only help you maintain a healthy diet, but they also keep you energised for longer.
 
You Need More Sunshine

If there was ever a time to book a holiday, it's now. Your constant tiredness may be due to a lack of vitamin D, especially during the winter months. Vitamin D is best obtained naturally through sunlight, but season permitting, this isn't always possible. An alternative to jetting off someplace nice and sunny is to fill your diet with vitamin D rich foods, like salmon and eggs - though that probably isn't enough to get your levels back up to normal so consider a supplement.

You're A Perfectionist

Never settling for second best isn't always good for your health. Whilst it's great to have ambition, it's important that you don't let it impact your wellbeing. The anxiety you feel from not getting something 'just right' can leave you exhausted, as you're always striving to go beyond what's physically capable.

In short be pragmatic, and be happy with what you can achieve in a realistic time frame. Learning to relax is key to beating tiredness.
 
You Can't Say No

Sometimes it's hard saying no, but bite off more than you can chew and you're just asking for tiresome days. Whilst it's nice feeling like the 'go-to' person at the time, your body can only take so much.

Avoid unnecessary stress by knowing when to stop. Don't check work emails out of the office, make the most of holidays and, according to the Basic Buddhism Guide, dedicate 15 mins to meditating each day - your mind needs a rest as much as your body does.

Your Desk Is Messy

As they say, 'a cluttered desk is a cluttered mind.' If your work environment is littered with post-it notes and week-old mugs, then you need a tidy up for the sake of your sleepiness. According to a study made by Princeton University, simple things like a messy office desk can tire your mind before your fingers hit the keyboard. Too many distractions can prevent you from focusing clearly, and your work suffers as a result. Make the time to tidy-up and you'll wonder why you didn't do it sooner.
 
You Need Medical Help

If you're at your wits' end trying to work out what's making you tired, it goes without saying - seek medical help. A simple blood test could reveal any underlying issues. What you shouldn't do is brush it off or ignore it.

Your tiredness is your body telling you something's wrong and it needs rest, for one reason or another. If changing your lifestyle doesn't work, take a trip to the GP and let them help you get to the bottom of the problem.

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