Sleep is an essential need, just like food and water. Yet so many of us take it for granted. If you’re always wondering “why am I always tired”, the most obvious answer is a lack of sleep. Although there may be other factors at play.
Once you start clocking up enough sleep hours each night you’ll notice an improvement in every aspect of your life, from physical health to mood. So it’s definitely worth investigating.
Feeling Tired
As we become adults, it seems that feeling tired is almost like our natural state. We eventually end up accepting that we’ll always feel lethargic or less than perfect. So we think there’s no real solution to our problems.
If you’re someone who constantly wonders, “Why am I always tired?” Then it’s time get serious about this important aspect of your life. Contrary to popular belief, it’s not actually normal to feel tired and there’s usually a good reason for it, beginning with how much sleep you get each night.
Recommendations
The recommendations for sleep have changed a little since the standard 8 hours a night were first introduced and our lifestyles have changed as well. Either way, if you’re always tired and not hitting your snooze targets each evening, there is a myriad of mental and physical health concerns that you’ll likely be feeling because of it.
It’s time that we started taking our sleep seriously. Just like food and water, when we don’t get enough of the basic need that is sleep, we’re going to notice it. Therefore, it’s time to stop wondering “why am I always tired” and start acting on it, with pleasant results that might surprise you.
Why Am I Always Tired?
If this is a question that you often find yourself thinking, you shouldn’t put off finding answers to any longer. The most common cause of tiredness is a lack of sleep, but it can be a lot more in-depth than this as there are many things that cause lack of sleep.
- Mental: Restless leg syndrome, anxiety, depression, and insomnia can all make it difficult to get adequate sleep.
- Physical: Some physical conditions that can make it hard to sleep are nausea, allergies, gastrointestinal upset like reflux, back pain, and chronic pain.
- Lifestyle: Too much screen time, overstimulation, exercising before bed, drinking caffeine, alcohol or sugary drinks.
For those who feel like they’re hitting their recommended hours of snooze each night and still needing more, t’s possible there are other mental or physical conditions at work.
Here are some potential causes for your lingering tiredness.
- Anemia: The medical term for a lack of red blood cells. People suffering from anemia will be tired and short of breath and is usually caused by an iron or vitamin deficiency.
- Chronic fatigue: Chronic fatigue syndrome makes people feel incredibly tired and too fatigued to do everyday things like walking or sitting.
- Diabetes: Sufferers of type 2 diabetes may be excessively tired and fatigued, especially when their blood sugar levels drop.
- Sleep apnea: This is a sleep disturbing problem that means you aren’t actually getting the deep sleep you think you are at night. Leading to tiredness the next day.
- Depression: Depression can lead to extreme tiredness and a low mood that makes it difficult to feel energized even after hours of excess sleep.
- Thyroid disease: Thyroid hormones that are out of whack can cause fatigue. With those suffering from it finding it difficult to walk up the stairs or stay awake during the day.
Here’s a Video on 5 Reasons Why You’re Always Tired (And How To Fix It)
Why Are We Sleeping Less?
For many of us, we know that we should be getting the recommended hours of sleep each night but we find it hard to drift off. In the 1960’s, the average amount of sleep for Americans was between 7 and 8.5 hours each night. Today, half of the population actually sleeps less than 7 hours a night.
So, what has caused this seismic shift in the lack of sleep? Some believe it’s because of technology, as thanks to smartphones and laptops we’re now more connected than ever. This can lead to overstimulation as well as a blurring of the line between work and rest time which both make it hard to fall asleep.
Other research points to a less active lifestyle and less time spent on leisure activities, compared to those 50 years ago. The levels of stress, anxiety, and depression all continue to rise which can have adverse effects on our sleep. And our inability to switch off makes it hard to get ourselves into rest mode at the end of the day.
Here’s a Video on What Happens To Your Body And Brain If You Don’t Get Sleep
The Consequences of Not Getting Enough Sleep
There’s nothing worse than not getting enough sleep at day and having to try and function through basic tasks like work and home life. However, it’s not just this confused and tired feeling you’ll have to carry with you all day. As there are actually very serious consequences of not getting enough sleep.
- Increase risk of diabetes, infection, and cardiovascular diseases.
- Micro-sleep episodes that can occur when you’re not aware, like driving your car.
- Excessive daytime tiredness which can cause confusion, irritability, and sadness.
- Concentration, a decrease in memory, and logic.
- A decrease in motivation in other areas of life, such as lack of exercise and a higher chance of reaching for sugary foods.
Too often we pass off these symptoms as just the feeling of getting older, or even normality because we’re so used to being tired. After just a few days of getting your sleeping patterns back on track though, you’re likely to notice many of the bad symptoms disappearing and a more reengaged feeling in body and mind.
Here’s a Video on SIDE Effects of Lack of SLEEP – YOU SHOULD WATCH
How Much Sleep We Need Each Night and How To Get It
So, how do we know just how much sleep is enough? Depending on our age. There are different amounts to guide us, and the National Sleep Foundation has concluded these amounts based on a recent two-year study.
For adults aged 18 – 64, the recommended hours are between seven to nine hours a night. Older adults should aim for around seven to eight hours a night versus kids and teenagers who can range from eight to 12 hours a night, depending on their age.
These guidelines are meant to be simply that and there’s no definite number that is going to work for everyone. Our lifestyles, needs, productivity, mood, and more will all factor into how much sleep we actually need. Therefore, if you feel that you’re not getting enough then these are all things you’ll need to consider.
Here’s a Video on Science Explains How Much Sleep You Need Depending on Your Age
Tips for Getting A Good Sleep
Getting enough sleep can be like trying to solve a puzzle and getting all of the right pieces together so that they fit will give you the best result. Here are some simple tips you can try to get improve your sleep habits and reap all of the benefits of a good rest.
- Bedtime ritual
Try a relaxing bedtime ritual that you do each night, including things like reading a book, drinking a chamomile tea or stretching.
- Sleep schedules
Set a sleep schedule and use an alarm to wake up and remind yourself to go to sleep. Stick to it even on weekends.
- Watch your diet
Things like caffeine and alcohol are hidden sleep stealers that can make it difficult to shut off at night.
- Create a haven
Make your bedroom a relaxing haven for sleep and try to do nothing else in there but rest. Ensure the lighting, temperature, and bedding are all perfect for achieving sleep.
- Exercise
Getting 30 minutes of exercise a day can help to prepare the body for rest, but try not to do it too close to bedtime.
- Reduce electronics
Spend at least 60 minutes before bed without any screens, including phones and TV. This will help your mind shut off when you close your eyes.
Here’s a Video of Getting Good Sleep In Short Time – Naturally
Restoring Your Body and Mind
Sleep is one of those things that we don’t realize we miss until we’re not getting enough of it. Although there are plenty of serious conditions that can cause tiredness or an inability to get enough sleep. Most of the time it’s simply a matter of committing to a solid and healthy sleep schedule.
Based on the recommended guidelines for adults, we should all be aiming for at least seven hours a night. Although this number can differ for everyone. The bottom line is if you’re constantly feeling tired and don’t put as much emphasis on your sleep as you do with food and water intake, you can probably blame yourself for the problem.
Here’s a Video on Restoring the Wisdom of Your Body and Mind
We all need sleep and without it, we will feel the effects both mentally and physically when we’re not getting enough. If you feel like nothing you’re trying works or you simply can’t shake the overwhelming tiredness you have all day, it’s best to speak to a medical professional and start getting the sleep you deserve.
So stop asking “Why Am I Always Tired” and start getting more sleep with the tips listed here.
