You’re getting your eight hours every night (sometimes even more!) but you still struggle to get out of bed in the morning.
And throughout the day, no amount of coffee can keep the yawns, brain fog and general sleepiness at bay. Why are you so tired!?
Turns out, there are plenty of other reasons why we feel tired all the time that aren’t down to lack of sleep. Some are pretty easily fixed, while some might require a trip to the doc.
1. You’re not getting enough nutrients.
It may sound obvious, but your body can become seriously fatigued when it’s not getting enough food fuel, no matter how many Zzzs you’re catching.
This can happen if you’re simply not eating enough, or you’re eating mainly nutrient-poor packaged foods (particularly of the low-calorie or low-fat variety). It can also be the case if you’ve upped your exercise regime without considering your food intake.
The best approach? Always focus on fuelling your body with nutrient-dense, REAL food with plenty of veg, protein and healthy fats. This will keep your body nourished and your energy levels high.
2. You have an underactive thyroid.
Your thyroid gland is basically Mission Control for your metabolism. So if it’s underperforming, your metabolism slows right down. Cue sluggishness, fatigue and weight gain.
A simple blood test will tell you if metabolic Mission Control’s gone bung (which is four to five times more common in women than in men). At which point you can work with your doctor on the best course of treatment.
3. You’re iron deficient.
Iron is the stuff that keeps your red blood cells happily pumping oxygen around the body. Iron deficiency is the most common cause of anemia, which is when not quite enough oxygen is getting to your tissues. This, as you might guess, can leave you feeling really run down.
Anemia caused by iron deficiency is usually pretty easily reversed. Up your intake of iron-rich foods, or consider taking a supplement. (Of course, if it perseveres check in with your healthcare practitioner.)
4. You’ve got a food intolerance.
If you find yourself tiring after eating certain foods, it might be that your gut is having a hard time digesting them.
Food intolerances to gluten in wheat, lactose or other FODMAPs can cause general lethargy and brain fog, as well as a host of not-so-enjoyable tummy issues. If you think what you’re eating might be the sleepy culprit, talk to your healthcare practitioner about trying an elimination diet.
5. You’re eating too much sugar.
Surprise! Fact is, if you start your day with donuts (or sugary packaged cereals), your blood sugar levels are going to skyrocket… then crash back to earth. This will leave you sleepy, sluggish and craving more sugar to get the same high.
Ongoing fatigue is also an early warning sign of type 2 diabetes, which is strongly linked to sugar consumption. So, if you’re also excessively thirsty, weeing ALL the time or having issues with your vision (and don’t usually wear specs), a visit to the doctor and a simple blood test is definitely in order.
Why are you so tired? Could any of these be the answer?
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