Fatigue & Tiredness: Why Do You Feel Tired & How To Fight It

If you’re feeling tired, fatigued, or drained of energy all the time, it is important to know that while it is common, too much tiredness can be an indicator of something more. Tiredness or extreme fatigue can harm your social life, personal life, as well as professional life.

But why are you feeling fatigued if you’re getting enough rest, eating a proper diet, and exercising regularly?

To understand this, you need to understand what is fatigue; Fatigue can be described as feeling extremely tired, having little to no energy, having a lack of motivation, and reaching physical and mental exhaustion.

There can be various reasons why you’re feeling tired or fatigued. More often than not daytime sleepiness or feeling drowsy are considered not a big deal but if your sleepiness or tiredness is getting worse and affecting your everyday life, then it can be an indicator of an underlying health concern or something else.

In this article, we’ll explore some of the common reasons why you’re feeling tired and how to fight tiredness and fatigue. So, let’s begin.

Also Read: Morning Fatigue: How to Fight It

Common Reasons Why You’re Feeling Tired

1. Not Getting Proper Diet

If you’re skipping meals and not getting enough and adequate calories, you may start feeling tired and fatigued all the time. Gaps between meals and not eating properly can cause your sugar level to drop which, in turn, can decrease your energy levels. If you have some vitamin deficiencies, it can also affect your energy levels.

Eating proper meals, not skipping meals, and eating healthy snacks between meals can help you maintain your energy.

Also Read: 5 Simple but Healthy Eating Habits that You Should Adopt ASAP

2. Not Getting Enough Sleep

Working late or staying up late binge-watching TV can hamper your sleep cycle. If you’re not getting enough sleep (at least 6-8 hours each night), it can make you feel drowsy or can further lead you to develop sleep deprivation.

Maintaining a proper sleep schedule and bedtime routine is important. If you’re having trouble sleeping, you can practice some breathing exercises before bed or if that doesn’t help, you can talk to a professional counselor.

3. Living A Sedentary Life

Working from home has to lead many of us to live an idle lifestyle. An inactive and sedentary lifestyle can leave you feeling fatigued. Physical activity can boost your energy levels but an inactive lifestyle can drain your energy and leave you feeling exhausted.

4. Experiencing Stress

Chronic stress can cause migraines, tension headaches, stomach aches, and fatigue. When in stressful situations, our body goes into fight or flight mode which causes cortisol and adrenaline levels to rise. In little bursts, these hormones can be helpful but in the aftermath of long-term stress, they can leave you feeling exhausted and fatigued.

Practicing stress management activities such as meditation, relaxation, and breathing exercises can help you keep the levels of cortisol and adrenaline in check.

5. Struggling With Depression

Fatigue, extreme tiredness, and sleepiness are all symptoms of depression. Other symptoms of depression-related fatigue can be:

• Trouble falling asleep
• Trouble waking up in the morning
• Trouble sleeping
• Sleeping too long or not enough

If you’re experiencing a lack of energy or motivation along with sleep-related problems, it is recommended that you seek professional help. A mental healthcare professional can help you cope with the symptoms of depression.

Also Read: Signs of Depression: Depression Symptoms To Look Out For

6. Struggling With Sleep Disorders

Sometimes the reasons for your tiredness can be caused by an underlying or undiagnosed sleep disorder. Even after self-help, the symptoms of fatigue don’t go, speak with a physician or a sleep specialist. Sleep disorders such as apnea, insomnia, or others could be a reason behind you feeling tired all the time.

Also Read: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Sleep Disorders

Ways To Fight Tiredness & Fatigue

1. Exercise Regularly

Exercising 20-30 minutes a day can help you fight fatigue. Set an exercise goal that isn’t too complex or doesn’t require doing too much. Small exercises like walking or jogging can help you stay physically active and keep your energy levels up.

2. Move Your Body

Exercising and engaging in physical activity can help you boost your energy but it can only help if you have the motivation to move your body. That can be challenging. The first thing you need to do is find an exercise that requires you to keep your body moving.

Exercises like swimming, cycling, walking, or yoga can help you keep motivated as well as keep you physically active.

3. Practice Relaxation Exercises/Meditation

Mindfulness, meditation, relaxation exercises can help you calm and relax your body and while it might not feel like it’s helping but practicing such exercises can help you maintain your energy. Giving 5 minutes in a day can help you be aware of your body movements.

To get started, you can take help from a guided meditation or guided breathing exercises.

4. Spend Some Time Outdoors

Sunlight is a wonderful way to soak up Vitamin D. Spending time outdoors in the sun can help lift your mood and boost your energy levels. Taking a walk or just sitting in your garden can be beneficial.

Many people struggling with SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder) are also prone to fatigue and tiredness. Light therapy is usually recommended during treating SAD.

5. Improve Your Sleep Hygiene

Maintaining healthy sleep hygiene can also help you fight fatigue, tiredness, and drowsiness. Sleep hygiene can improve your quality of sleep as well as the quantity of sleep you get each night. Sleep plays an important in maintaining overall mental wellness. To improve your sleep hygiene, you can try practicing relaxation exercises or breathing exercises before bed.

You can also try to limit or eliminate the use of your phones at least 30 minutes to one hour before and after bed.

Also Read: The Importance Of Therapy In Your Life

6. Talk To A Professional

If you’re feeling tired or fatigued all the time, it can be a sign of a mental health disorder. If your fatigue is interfering with your daily life and making it difficult to manage daily chores, then it is recommended you seek help from a professional therapist/counselor.

Final Thoughts

Coping with fatigue, extreme tiredness, and drowsiness can seriously interfere with your daily life. If your fatigue is causing negative effects on your job performance, family life, or social health, it is suggested you try the above-mentioned self-help techniques or if needed seek a professional counselor for help.

If you need additional help or support, you can always reach us at info@calmsage.com.

Until then, take care of yourself and stay safe.