The average adult needs between 7 and 9 hours of sleep every night to function well. Yes, you can get by on less, but for optimal health, 7 hours is a minimum. 

Without that sleep, you’ll feel tired, groggy, and unwell. But what if you think you’re sleeping enough already, but you’re still feeling tired? Let’s talk about it.

Read on to learn a few common reasons you’re always tired.

Not Enough High-Quality Sleep

This may seem obvious, but if you’re not getting enough high-quality sleep, you’re going to experience more fatigue during the day.

As we mentioned, you should be getting at least 7 hours of sleep every night. If you’re getting enough sleep (or even too much sleep) and you’re still feeling tired, it may not be high-quality sleep.

You want to sleep through full sleep cycles and you want it to be restful. To improve your sleep, try avoiding caffeine and alcohol too close to bedtime. You may also benefit from melatonin or even a weighted blanket for a deeper sleep. 

Stress

If you’re experiencing excess stress, it can tire you out. Stress is hard on your brain, especially if it’s frequent or chronic. It can even lead to brain inflammation (which will cause fatigue).

Start trying to lower your stress levels. See a doctor or a therapist, start practicing self-care, and see what lifestyle changes you can make to lower your stress levels. 

Nutrition and Dietary Issues

What you put into your body matters! Your sleepiness could be the result of nutrition and dietary issues. 

Are you getting all of your essential vitamins and nutrients? Are you drinking enough water? If not, you could be causing your own exhaustion problems! 

Common deficiencies that can cause fatigue are B12 deficiency and vitamin D deficiency (especially during the dark winter months). Luckily, both of these are easily remedied with supplements. 

Certain Medications

Are you on any medication? It’s possible that your medication is causing you to feel sleepy.

Certain medications have a sedative effect, even if that isn’t their original intention. SSRIs, anxiety medications, antipsychotics, mood stabilizers, and many other common medications may make you feel sleepy and foggy even if you’ve had a full night of sleep.

Do not stop taking your medication. Talk to your doctor about alternatives or lifestyle changes. 

A Sedentary Lifestyle

You may think that sitting around all day would help you conserve energy, but this isn’t the case. A sedentary lifestyle might be the reason you’re always tired.

When you live a somewhat active and healthy lifestyle (getting at least 150 minutes of exercise every week), your body will have more energy because it knows it needs that energy.

When you’re sedentary, your body adapts. 

Exercise also triggers the release of endorphins, which can give you more energy and improve your sleep. 

Certain Health Conditions

If you can’t determine the cause of your fatigue, it may be an underlying health condition like a sleep disorder. It could even be hormonal. If that’s the case, seeing a doctor find the exact cause is a great idea.

Feeling Tired? You Deserve a Good Night’s Sleep

If you’re always feeling tired no matter what you do, one of these causes could be the culprit! Humans need adequate rest to function, so don’t let this go on too long. Either start making lifestyle changes or see a doctor as soon as possible. 

At MiBella Wellness, we aim to help all of our patients feel like their best selves. Contact us to set up an appointment today.