Being tired all the time is not a great feeling. No one likes to feel lazy and sluggish, especially on Mondays. But when it’s happening all the time is it something to be concerned about? Why does this tiredness happen in the first place? What can you actually do about it? Questions like these may be filling up your search history, but don’t worry as we answer them all in this article.
Why do you feel tired?: The causes
While tiredness is something that many of us experience, some people struggle with fatigue more than others. The truth is that there are lots of things that can impact your energy levels. One of the most common causes of fatigue in today’s day and age is simply overscheduling. Many people have busy personal and professional lives, which can make it hard to balance their daily routines, and which can lead to chronic tiredness. And let’s face it, completing a long list of tasks, tiring yourself out with chores, and then crashing into bed at night, is not the healthiest way to go about life. Sometimes simple changes – such as taking your time with tasks and having small breaks in between activities – can make it easier to get everything done, and to prevent excessive tiredness.
Other factors
However, sometimes you might feel tired because of something that is outside of your control. For example, it’s possible your constant tiredness is the result of an underlying medical condition or a regular medication. Some medical conditions such as diabetes, sleep apnoea, and certain coronary diseases, can lead to chronic fatigue. Autoimmune diseases and chronic inflammation can also lead to persistent tiredness. This is because they put your immune system into a state of constant vigilance, which causes inflammation in different parts of the body, and which simply takes up energy. That’s why, if you have one of these conditions, you might often feel tired, drained, or fatigued. If you’re struggling with inflammation, then this can cause your body to release cytokines, bringing about hormonal changes, and disrupting your sleep cycle – leading to further tiredness.
There are, of course, other factors that can contribute towards fatigue such as lifestyle choices and psychological stress. For example, certain lifestyles – particularly those that are low on activity and nutrition, but high in substances and fast food – can lead to low energy levels. Certain mental health conditions – such as depression, anxiety, and chronic stress – can also impact your physical health, and contribute to chronic fatigue.
So what can be done to beat this? How can you stop this cycle?
How to beat tiredness: Practical solutions
Energy as currency
If you’re experiencing constant tiredness, on a daily or near daily basis, it could help to start thinking of your energy as a currency. The reason why we say this is because it can sometimes help to consider how much energy you need to complete a task, and take that into account when planning your weekly and daily schedule. Your body tends to have more energy at the start of the day, when you wake up. So prioritising your activities, and starting your day with high-energy tasks, can often be helpful. Over the course of the day, as you complete each task, your body’s energy often starts to deplete. That’s why pacing yourself, and ending your day with low-energy tasks, can help you to reduce stress and create a realistic schedule.
Focus on sleep
Another practical way to reduce tiredness, increase your energy levels, and avoid grogginess is to improve your sleep. We cannot emphasise enough the impact that good quality sleep has on your energy levels. A disturbed sleep pattern, or poor sleep routine, can make you feel tired and lethargic. This is because your body needs sleep to recover. If you’re not getting enough sleep, then your body simply won’t work as well as it could. And that’s when you might start to notice some of the more common signs of fatigue, such as a cloudy mind, lack of focus, frequent yawning, and low motivation. Having a good sleep routine in place is important for your overall health. Things like avoiding screens before bed, skipping on late night snacks, reducing exposure to bright lights, and going to sleep at the same time every night, can make the world of difference when it comes to improving sleep quality.
Look at your lifestyle
While sleep is super important for your energy, good lifestyle choices can also help. Avoiding substances such as alcohol, drugs, caffeine and processed sugar can help you avoid any sudden drops in energy. Switching to a balanced diet containing leafy vegetables and fresh fruits can help you get the nutrition you need. It can also help you maintain good energy levels throughout the day. But, to see the real benefits, it is also important to get in some exercise activity. Things like going for a stroll in the park, doing yoga with friends, and taking an exercise class can really help when you’re feeling lethargic.
If you’re doing all of these things – eating a healthy diet, getting enough exercise, and sleeping well but you still feel tired, then it might be worth seeing a consultant. A doctor will be able to determine the root cause of your tiredness, and recommend an appropriate treatment plan. They will also be able to help you explore alternative treatment options such as IV drips and external supplementations, both of which can give your body a much needed energy boost. In fact, finding IV drip in London has never been easier, with specialised clinics now offering fast access to these kinds of services.
No time for down time
If you lead a busy life, then you might feel you have “no time for down time”. However, it’s important to keep in mind that your body does have its limits, and that you might need to make more time for rest. Prioritising your tasks, taking care of your body, and giving yourself enough time to unwind, is important for your overall health. And just a few minor lifestyle tweaks can really change the way you feel on a daily basis!
