11 Common Reasons Why You Might Be Feeling Tired Frequently

Fatigue is a strong feeling of tiredness and low energy that can interfere with your daily activities and reduce the overall quality of your life. Common fatigue symptoms include muscle weakness, headache, moodiness, chronic sleepiness, and dizziness. It is okay to feel tired after a long day of working or playing. However, it would be best to start being concerned when you feel unusually tired for more than a week. One of the prevalent causes of fatigue is depression, which makes you feel sluggish and tired. That is just one reason. There are other psychiatric factors and physical conditions could often cause you to feel tired. Let’s look into some of the common reasons why you might be feeling tired frequently.

Chronic fatigue syndrome

Chronic fatigue syndrome causes you to feel persistent fatigue that can last more than six months. You could also develop memory problems, joint aches, muscle pain, and frequent headaches. This condition robs you of the ability to engage in certain activities such as exercise and hiking due to an evident lack of energy. Doctors commonly misdiagnose CFS as depression due to the similarities in symptoms. Though experts have not yet identified the cause of CFS, they recommend a combination of medications and lifestyle changes to manage this condition.

Depression

Experts have also linked an imbalance of neurotransmitters in the brain to depression. This imbalance could also lead to disturbed sleep, among other sleep conditions. You might also have a hard time falling asleep at night or sleeping for a few hours. It is not uncommon for people with depression to appear sluggish, sleepy, and apathetic. They might also lose interest in activities they previously enjoyed and have a persistently empty mood.

Autoimmune disorders

An autoimmune disorder is when your immune system begins to attack your body instead of protecting it. Common autoimmune disorders include celiac disease, lupus, and rheumatoid arthritis. Autoimmune disorders and depression are almost intertwined in that they have similar symptoms. Research reveals that 45% of people who suffer from autoimmune diseases are at a greater risk of developing depression.

Bipolar disorder

Bipolar disorder causes you to experience extreme mood swings that can compromise your thought process and behavior. Patients who suffer from bipolar also experience erratic sleep-wake cycles, insomnia, and nightmares, which cause them to feel tired, even after a full night’s sleep. We strongly advise scheduling an appointment with your doctor to help you manage your symptoms and get enough rest.

Iron deficiency

The body needs iron to make healthy red blood cells which transport oxygenated blood to vital body organs, muscles, and tissues. If you don’t have enough iron, your body won’t generate more blood cells, nor can your blood circulate oxygen through your system. As a result, you might feel dizzy and sluggish and find it difficult to focus on simple tasks. Other common symptoms of iron deficiency include dull or pale skin and shortness of breath. Severe iron deficiency can result in anemia.

Underactive thyroid

The thyroid gland, located just above your collarbone, produces thyroid hormones that regulate your metabolism and heartbeat. When this butterfly-shaped gland doesn’t produce enough hormones, you could develop a condition known as hypothyroidism. Symptoms of an underactive thyroid include weight gain, chronic fatigue, and sluggishness. Patients with hypothyroidism are also more likely to develop depression.

Stress

Life’s constant hustle and bustle can leave you feeling angry, nervous, and frustrated. Stress is your body’s natural response to these negative feelings. Stress is helpful in short bursts as it can help you get out of a potentially dangerous situation. However, prolonged stress can cause you to experience chronic fatigue, sluggishness, and irritability. Research has revealed that cannabis products such as CBD cream have a calming effect that reduces stress. You could also implement other stress management techniques such as yoga and meditation.

Fibromyalgia

The key difference between fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome is that patients also report feeling excruciating pain all over the body. Other common symptoms of fibromyalgia are sleep disturbance and chronic fatigue. A medical professional can also diagnose this condition via specific pressure points in the body. To manage this condition, we suggest making specific lifestyle changes and taking medication prescribed by your doctor. 

Poor diet

A healthy diet provides your body with the much-needed fuel to repair muscles, promote circulation, and boost energy levels. If you don’t obtain enough calories from your diet, you are more likely to feel fatigued throughout the day. You also need to consume plenty of water to keep your body hydrated and your skin supple. Experts reveal that inadequate hydration results in sleepiness, tiredness, and irritability. Food allergies are also associated with fatigue.

Anxiety

The most common symptoms of anxiety are nervousness and constant worrying. Everyday situations such as speaking in front of a class or meeting new people could cause dilapidating fear. Patients suffering from anxiety experience fast heart rates, excessive sweating, and fatigue. The constant worrying could also lead to sleep disturbances and sleep deprivation. Talk to your doctor about your symptoms so that they can prescribe medication to manage your condition and help you get a good night’s rest.

Sleep apnea

Sleep apnea is a dangerous sleep condition in which the body repeatedly stops and starts breathing while you sleep. Your breathing could stop for more than ten seconds before you resume breathing, and you might experience this disruption up to twenty times before you wake up. Victims suffering from sleep apnea report feeling tired even after a full night’s sleep and complain of morning headaches and poor concentration. It would help if you consulted a physician to provide solutions such as shedding a few pounds or using a CPAP machine to aid breathing at night.

Wrapping up

To sum it all up, there are a couple of habits you can inculcate into your lifestyle to help boost your energy levels. For instance, you could try taking short naps during the day. Exercise more often and stick to a regular bedtime routine so that your body can learn to rest by a specific time. You should also avoid alcohol, caffeine, and any stimulant that could make it challenging for your body to sleep at night.