Why Am I Always Sleepy? | 12 Reasons You Might Be Fatigued (And What To Do About It)

In these uncertain times, it’s okay to feel exhausted – emotionally and physically. Feeling fatigued and tired is extremely common, so much so that almost one-third of healthy teens and adults feel tired and sleepy all the time.

But feeling sleepy and fatigued all the time can be a symptom of several underlying mental health conditions and in some cases, it can stem from unhealthy life habits.

If you’re lately wondering, “Why am I sleepy all the time?” Then, lucky for you, we can help you easily fix this!

While fatigue all the time is not necessarily related to any serious disorder, it can still cause harm to the mind, and body.

Below read 12 reasons why you are feeling sleepy or fatigued all the time and how you can resolve those issues.

12 Reasons Why You Feel Sleepy

1. Unhealthy Diet

Your diet is where most of your energy comes from. If you miss meals or eat a lot of junk food, you may be providing the wrong fuel to your body. You may be consuming too many refined carbs that may be contributing to how fatigued you are. Diet-related causes of sleepiness can be:

• Vitamin and mineral deficiencies
• High or low blood sugar
• Excessive alcohol consumption
• Excessive caffeine consumption

Maintaining a healthy diet can help you counter fatigue and improve your sleep.

2. Poor Sleep Habits

Another most common reason for feeling too sleepy during the day can be your poor sleep habits such as:

• Not getting enough sleep (at least 6-8 hours of sleep is recommended)
• Trying to sleep in a noisy environment
• Not having a bedtime routine
• Exercising before bedtime
• Napping during the day

Making better choices about your sleep routine can help improve your sleep quality.

3. Sedentary Lifestyle

Being sedentary means living a luxurious lifestyle and not getting enough physical activity. This kind of lifestyle can make you restless, lazy, and prone to poor health conditions. A sedentary lifestyle can also contribute to depression. To improve such a lifestyle, you can get more physical activity and stay active during the day.

4. Overexertion

Overexertion is another reason why you might be feeling sleepy all the time. When you overexert yourself, it can leave your body too exhausted to recover in one night, leaving you feeling too tired, lazy, and even drowsy. Slowing down or taking a break for some time from exertion can help recover your strength.

5. Too Much Stress

Stress can have a consequential influence on your sleeping pattern and it can even intensify the problem. Not getting enough sleep can make you feel even more stressed. Getting a good night’s sleep can help maintain positive emotions. Managing your stress may help you reduce your excessive sleepiness.

6. Medical Reasons

Excessive sleepiness, daytime fatigue, and drowsiness can also be because of certain medical conditions such as autoimmune disease, chronic fatigue syndrome, diabetes, autoimmune disease, or can be side effects of chemotherapy. If these are the reasons for your excessive sleepiness, it is recommended you speak to your doctor for proper treatment.

7. Depression

Depression is more than just feeling melancholia, sadness, or hopelessness. It can cause you to feel unmotivated, uninterested in activities you once previously enjoyed, among other things. Depression can also cause physical symptoms such as fatigue and tiredness. Depression can be treated with antidepressants and psychotherapy.

8. Menopause

Menopause can also cause you to struggle with many fatigue-related symptoms including hot flashes, night sweats, mood swings, memory issues, etc. Fatigue associated with menopause can be treated with the help of:

• Hormone replacement therapy
• Antidepressants such as SSRIs
• Physical exercise
• Yoga

9. Sleep Disorders

If you’re feeling sleepy all the time, then it could be a sign of underlying sleep disorders. Some common sleep disorders can be:

• Narcolepsy
• Restless legs syndrome
• Sleep apnea

If you have a sleep disorder, then you can seek professional treatment from a doctor specializing in treating sleep disorders.

10. Circadian Rhythm Disorders

Certain circadian rhythm disorders can also make you feel sleepy during the daytime. Circadian rhythm is the natural clock that helps us coordinate our day and night schedules. Any kind of imbalance in our circadian rhythm can cause daytime sleepiness.

Treatments for circadian rhythm disorders can be light therapy, melatonin, medications, and improving sleep habits.

Related Read: Understanding Your Chronotype & How It Affects Your Productivity

11. Insomnia

One of the most common sleep disorders, insomnia can make it difficult to fall asleep, stay asleep, or get the right amount of sleep. If you’re struggling with chronic insomnia, then you’re more likely to struggle with fatigue. Treatments such as cognitive behavioral therapy, medications, and light therapy can help treat insomnia.

12. Side-Effects Of Certain Medications

Drowsiness and excessive sleep can also be side effects of certain medications. Medications such as painkillers, antidepressants, antiemetic, antipsychotics, blood pressure medications, or steroids can cause excessive sleep and fatigue.

It is recommended that you not take any such medications without a proper prescription. Please consult your doctor for other side effects as well.

Is It Sleep Deprivation?

Excessive sleep or sleep deprivation can have long-lasting negative effects on your overall health. They can not only increase the risk of falling asleep while driving but can also cause an imbalance in hormones, increase pain, and much more.

Some symptoms of sleep deprivation can be:

• Desire to sleep
• General tiredness
• Muscle aches
• Loss of motivation
• Feeling heaviness in the body
• Sore eyes
• Noise sensitivity
• Anxiety
• Irritability

If your symptoms and sleepiness are increasing, then it is recommended that you speak to a healthcare provider for a better understanding of your symptoms and diagnosis.

Writer’s Thoughts

There are many reasons for feeling sleepy all the time or fatigued and it is important to rule out any serious disorders or medical conditions first as chronic fatigue can be a sign of an underlying disorder.

If the reasons for your tiredness and sleepiness are lifestyle habits or other health-related conditions, then it is recommended that you find ways to manage your daily stress. Getting the right amount of sleep is important for our minds and body to recharge and not getting enough sleep or sleeping too much can be harmful to us.

I hope this article helped you understand the reasons why you are always sleepy and how you can fix that. For more, you can write to us at info@calmsage.com or DM us on social media.

Let us know in the comments below if we missed a reason. You can also share your thoughts on the article in the comments!

Take Care!