If you’ve noticed that you’re lacking in energy or feel tired more often than you’d like, you probably attribute it to not getting enough sleep. And while a full night of high-quality, restful sleep is certainly one of the most important factors in feeling well rested, there are a number of other factors that might be contributing to your low energy levels and general feeling of exhaustion. Let’s take a look at some of them:
- Stress: Chronic stress is one of the most common reasons people feel fatigued. Stress takes its toll on your body in a number of different ways, and can lead to poor sleep, making you feel tired even when you’re getting enough sleep.
- Nutrient deficiencies: Not getting enough of certain nutrients like iron, B vitamins, vitamin D, and magnesium can lead to fatigue and exhaustion. When your body isn’t getting what it needs to function properly, your energy levels can drastically decrease. Fortunately, feelings of fatigue often improve when your nutrient levels return to normal.
- Reliance on caffeine: It might seem counterintuitive, but the caffeine you drink to wake you up could be making you feel even more tired! High caffeine intake can lead to interrupted sleep, poor sleep quality, and feeling drowsy throughout the day once the immediate effects have worn off.
- Not getting enough exercise: A sedentary lifestyle can contribute to low energy levels and feeling tired throughout the day. Even mild exercise can help you get a better night’s sleep and give you more energy throughout the day, so try finding a kind of movement that you enjoy!
- Being overweight: Maintaining a healthy body weight can help you avoid a number of health concerns, including sleep apnea, as well as type 2 diabetes and heart disease. Obstructive sleep apnea affects the quality of your sleep, which can cause you to feel tired all day long.
- Alcohol consumption: Many people think that an evening glass of wine or cocktail helps them sleep better, but research has shown that’s far from the truth. While you might fall asleep more easily, alcohol can contribute to poor sleep quality, shorter sleep duration, and may even exacerbate sleep apnea.
- Dehydration: Not maintaining adequate hydration can affect your energy levels and sleep cycle in addition to causing a wide variety of physical effects throughout your body. Make sure you’re staying hydrated throughout the day so your body can perform at its best and so you can get enough restorative sleep.
- Dietary imbalances: Your body is a complex machine that needs a variety of things to keep it going, including enough calories, protein, and nutrients to ensure you have enough energy all day long. Malnutrition and dietary imbalances can cause your body to start using fat and muscle to meet its energy demands, which can lead to fatigue and exhaustion.
If you’re feeling tired all the time, Oceanside can help! We offer programs and treatments like medical weight loss, IV therapy, and more to keep you feeling your best every day.
