Yawn! No matter how much coffee you chug, it can be a real struggle to stay awake and alert throughout the day. What gives?
Tiredness (a feeling of low energy) and sleepiness (a desire or ability to sleep if allowed to do so) can be caused by a number of factors, including stress levels, sleeping habits, diet, lifestyle, and underlying medical conditions. At the end of the day, only a medical professional can diagnose why you’re feeling exhausted—but this quiz may help you narrow things down.
Try adding a little more relaxation<\/a> to your day-to-day life\u2014this might mean going for a stroll around your neighborhood, doing some yoga<\/a>, soaking in a warm bath<\/a>, or spending some time with your pet. Whatever it is, choose an activity that helps you unwind and unplug from your daily demands.
If you\u2019re dealing with a lot of stress at work<\/a>, it could be worth speaking with your manager or HR representative to see what can be done about your situation. Talking out your feelings and experiences with a therapist is another great way to relieve your stress (and potentially feel less tired).
Take time to meet with your doctor and discuss how your tiredness impacts your daily life. They can help you figure out if an underlying condition is contributing to your exhaustion (like iron deficiency anemia or sleep apnea), and help you come up with an effective treatment plan.
In the meantime, check out wikiHow\u2019s very own sleep course that\u2019s co-authored by Alex Dimitriu, MD, a sleep specialist. This 5-part course is packed full of expert-verified advice delivered straight to your inbox that will help you fall asleep fast and stay asleep longer. You can sign up for it here<\/a>!","edit_links":[{"url":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/Avoid-Stress"},{"url":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/Relieve-Stress"}],"link_data":[{"title":"How to Avoid Stress","id":1684142,"url":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/Avoid-Stress","image":"\/images\/thumb\/4\/48\/Avoid-Stress-Step-13.jpg\/-crop-200-200-200px-Avoid-Stress-Step-13.jpg","alt":"How to Avoid Stress"},{"title":"How to Relieve Stress","id":109874,"url":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/Relieve-Stress","image":"\/images\/thumb\/0\/0e\/Relieve-Stress-Step-32-Version-4.jpg\/-crop-200-200-200px-Relieve-Stress-Step-32-Version-4.jpg","alt":"How to Relieve Stress"}],"minimum":0},{"text":"You might be tired because of your sleeping habits.","meaning":"It sounds like you might not be getting enough high-quality sleep each night<\/a>. Whether you\u2019re a 20-year-old cramming for college exams or a 70-year-old enjoying retirement, all adults need at least 7 hours of sleep to feel alert and ready to get the most out of their day. Teens between the ages of 14 and 17 need at least 8 hours of sleep to feel refreshed.
Take your sleep schedule to the next level by hitting the hay and waking up at the same time each day, and by cutting back on naps throughout the day. It can also help to do some relaxing activities before bed<\/a>, like hopping in a warm shower or taking a soothing bath<\/a>.
Take time to meet with your doctor and discuss how your tiredness impacts your daily life. They can help you figure out if an underlying condition is contributing to your exhaustion (like iron deficiency anemia or sleep apnea), and help you come up with an effective treatment plan.
In the meantime, check out wikiHow\u2019s very own sleep course that\u2019s co-authored by Alex Dimitriu, MD, a sleep specialist. This 5-part course is packed full of expert-verified advice delivered straight to your inbox that will help you fall asleep fast and stay asleep longer. You can sign up for it here<\/a>!","edit_links":[{"url":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/Get-Quality-Sleep"},{"url":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/Fix-Your-Sleeping-Schedule"}],"link_data":[{"title":"How to Get Quality Sleep","id":664122,"url":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/Get-Quality-Sleep","image":"\/images\/thumb\/b\/b9\/Get-Quality-Sleep-Step-18.jpg\/-crop-200-200-200px-Get-Quality-Sleep-Step-18.jpg","alt":"How to Get Quality Sleep"},{"title":"How to Fix Your Sleeping Schedule","id":839929,"url":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/Fix-Your-Sleeping-Schedule","image":"\/images\/thumb\/8\/8e\/Fix-Your-Sleeping-Schedule-Step-12-Version-3.jpg\/-crop-200-200-200px-Fix-Your-Sleeping-Schedule-Step-12-Version-3.jpg","alt":"How to Fix Your Sleeping Schedule"}],"minimum":0},{"text":"You might be tired because of your diet and lifestyle.","meaning":"It sounds like your day-to-day routines and eating habits could be contributing to your tiredness. Eating large meals, skipping breakfast, snacking on unhealthy foods, drinking lots of caffeine, and not getting enough exercise can all make you feel less than your best.
Give your meals and snacks a boost<\/a> by stocking up on lots of fruits, veggies, lean meats, and whole grains. It also helps to space out your snacks and meals once every 3-4 hours (rather than having a couple of giant meals throughout the day). Drinking plenty of water<\/a>, weaning yourself off caffeine<\/a>, and limiting alcohol<\/a> before bed can also go a long way in helping you feel more alert and refreshed.
Despite popular belief, exercise is also a great way to keep your energy up. Even a short walk in the park is a great starting point to help you feel more alert and energized.
Take time to meet with your doctor and discuss how your tiredness impacts your daily life. They can help you figure out if an underlying condition is contributing to your exhaustion (like iron deficiency anemia or sleep apnea), and help you come up with an effective treatment plan.
In the meantime, check out wikiHow\u2019s very own sleep course that\u2019s co-authored by Alex Dimitriu, MD, a sleep specialist. This 5-part course is packed full of expert-verified advice delivered straight to your inbox that will help you fall asleep fast and stay asleep longer. You can sign up for it here<\/a>!","edit_links":[{"url":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/Develop-Healthy-Eating-Habits"},{"url":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/Make-an-Exercise-Schedule"}],"link_data":[{"title":"How to Develop Healthy Eating Habits","id":10150,"url":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/Develop-Healthy-Eating-Habits","image":"\/images\/thumb\/f\/f6\/Heal-Runner%27s-Knee-Step-7.jpg\/-crop-200-200-200px-Heal-Runner%27s-Knee-Step-7.jpg","alt":"How to Develop Healthy Eating Habits"},{"title":"How to Make an Exercise Schedule","id":993570,"url":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/Make-an-Exercise-Schedule","image":"\/images\/thumb\/3\/32\/Make-an-Exercise-Schedule-Step-18.jpg\/-crop-200-200-200px-Make-an-Exercise-Schedule-Step-18.jpg","alt":"How to Make an Exercise Schedule"}],"minimum":0},{"text":"You might be tired because of a health condition.","meaning":"It sounds like you\u2019re doing a lot of the right things to get your exhaustion under control, but you still aren\u2019t noticing any improvements. You might be dealing with fatigue<\/a> rather than regular tiredness\u2014this is the official medical term for persistent tiredness that doesn\u2019t go away after you get a good night\u2019s sleep.
Fatigue can be caused by a number of different conditions. Iron deficiency anemia and sleep apnea are common offenders, but anxiety, chronic fatigue syndrome, depression, fibromyalgia, thyroid issues, IBD, and many other health issues could also be the cause. Don\u2019t try to self-diagnose yourself\u2014your best bet is to meet with your doctor and discuss your symptoms, so they can give you an accurate diagnosis and helpful treatment advice.","edit_links":[{"url":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/Treat-Anemia"},{"url":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/Deal-with-Sleep-Apnea"}],"link_data":[{"title":"How to Treat Anemia","id":1094246,"url":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/Treat-Anemia","image":"\/images\/thumb\/8\/81\/Treat-Anemia-Step-10-Version-3.jpg\/-crop-200-200-200px-Treat-Anemia-Step-10-Version-3.jpg","alt":"How to Treat Anemia"},{"title":"How to Deal with Sleep Apnea","id":21562,"url":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/Deal-with-Sleep-Apnea","image":"\/images\/thumb\/0\/09\/Deal-with-Sleep-Apnea-Step-25.jpg\/-crop-200-200-200px-Deal-with-Sleep-Apnea-Step-25.jpg","alt":"How to Deal with Sleep Apnea"}],"minimum":0}]">
After a while, exhaustion can start to feel like an inevitability—but it doesn’t have to be! There are plenty of ways that you can hack your lifestyle and sleep schedule so you can start feeling more alert, focused, and ready to face the day.
Ready to kick your tiredness to the curb? Here are a few expert-verified resources to help you get started:
Any medically related content, whether User Content or otherwise found on the Service, is not intended to be medical advice or instructions for medical diagnosis or treatment, and no physician-patient or psychotherapist-patient relationship is, or is intended to be, created.
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