Why Am I Tired All the Time: 3 Possible Remedies

It's not uncommon to feel wiped out after pulling an all-nighter for work. When this happens, getting a good night's sleep will get you back in top shape. But what if you're always feeling exhausted, even when you've had plenty of rest?

You may have one or more health conditions that are making your body work overtime. Or your lifestyle may need a tweak. Chronic fatigue can be notoriously difficult to identify due to its symptoms being almost identical to stress, depression, or other psychological issues.

The good news is that once you realize you're dealing with more than the occasional burnout, finding a remedy is much easier.

Let's explore some common causes for chronic fatigue. We'll also discuss potential remedies, including lifestyle adjustments, and energy-boosting supplements.

What The Experts Say Can Sabotage Your Immune System

ALLERGIES

Allergies can deplete your energy and make it harder for you to get out of bed each day. We're not just talking about feeling under the weather due to hay fever-induced sniffles, and sneezes.

You may feel exhausted after minimal activity, even when your sleep patterns, level of exercise and other factors are under control.

In addition to fatigue, other allergy symptoms include:

• Throat irritation
• Skin itching and rashes
• Headaches
• Hives
• Stomach upset
• Sneezing attacks that keep you up at night (due to post-nasal drip)
• Watery eyes

These symptoms are discomfiting enough by themselves; but when added together, they can make it harder for you to get enough rest to feel refreshed as you head into each new day.

IRON DEFICIENCY AMENIA

Low iron levels are associated with fatigue because your body is not able to produce sufficient hemoglobin for you to carry oxygen throughout your body.

When there isn't enough hemoglobin available, you may feel dizzy or fatigued - even when performing simple activities like walking up a flight of stairs or doing regular house work.

In addition to fatigue, other symptoms of iron deficiency anemia include:

• Pale skin
• Shortness of breath
• Heart palpitations

HYPOTHYROIDISM

Hypothyroidism, or an under active thyroid gland, can result in debilitating fatigue. It affects the circadian rhythm, which regulates sleep/wake cycles and body temperature.

Low thyroid levels alter the production of hormones like serotonin and melatonin that regulate moods and restful sleep patterns. Due to these hormonal changes, the metabolism slows down, making it harder to function at peak efficiency.

Over time, these disruptions accumulate and significant fatigue sets in with varying levels of intensity. If you have been living with persistently low energy for several weeks or months on end, consult a doctor to see if you should have blood tests for low thyroid hormone levels.

In addition to fatigue, symptoms of hypothyroidism include:

• Weight gain
• Sensitivity to cold
• Dry skin and hair
• Muscle aches
• Depression

RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS

Rheumatoid arthritis is one of several inflammatory autoimmune disorders that occur when your body's immune system attacks its own tissues. While most people associate this condition with pain and stiffness, some patients experience severe exhaustion as well.

Although some medications can help treat arthritis, there is no cure for it. This autoimmune disorder is long-lasting with periods of remission in between flare-ups.

In addition to fatigue, symptoms of this condition include:

• Swollen joints
• Heat or swelling in the hands
• Soreness of the eyes or mouth
• Depression and anxiety
• Overall weakness

SLEEP APNEA

Sleep apnea can cause excessive daytime fatigue due to inadequate nighttime recovery. If you have this sleep disorder, you may feel tired all the time even if you get enough sleep at night according to your normal schedule.

This condition can disrupt nighttime sleep due to oxygen deprivation, and frequent night-waking. These can lead to less recovery time before morning and reduce stamina and mental clarity throughout the day.

In addition to fatigue, other symptoms of sleep apnea include:

• Loud snoring
• Gasping, snorting, or choking noises caused by not getting enough oxygen
• Sudden stops and starts in your breathing while asleep
• Mood swings
• Headaches
• Inability to concentrate

PSYCHOLOGICAL CAUSES OF FATIGUE

There are numerous hormones that affect neurotransmitters (chemicals in your brain) that determine how alert you feel at any given moment.

When these processes go haywire, the result is fatigue. In fact, it's impossible for you to feel physically tired unless your central nervous system is also experiencing a stressful situation.

Psychological triggers of fatigue include: stress, emotional shock, depression, anxiety.

• Stress can cause an overproduction of cortisol that can lead to extreme physical and mental fatigue.
• Emotional shock can disrupt circadian rhythms (internal sleep/wake cycles) and lead to an imbalance in neurotransmitters in your brain—often triggering daytime sleepiness.
• Depression can make you feel tired and out of sorts.
• Anxiety it's a psychological trigger that tells the body to be 'on guard' and ready for action. This often results in unusual behaviors like fidgeting, pacing, nail biting or inability to fall asleep.

LIFESTYLE CAUSES OF FATIGUE

VITAMIN DEFICIENCY

A diet that is deficient in vitamins such as B6, B12 and folic acid alongside minerals including calcium, magnesium and zinc will leave you feeling tired for long hours. The reason being that all these nutrients are vital to produce energy in the body.

Zinc especially helps with converting carbohydrates into energy whilst iron aids with oxygenating blood effectively.

Vitamin B12 on the other hand maintains healthy nerve cells and increases energy levels whilst B6 and folic acid are essential for the formation of red blood cells whose function is to carry oxygen to all your body's tissues.

NOT ENOUGH EXERCISE

Exercising isn't only useful for burning calories. It’s also useful for keeping your circulatory system healthy by encouraging good heart rate and a fit body.

When you exercise, the heart pumps blood with ease throughout the body optimally distributing nutrients and oxygen which in turn revives tired muscles and energizes you.

A sedentary lifestyle can also lead to excessive weight gain. Being overweight makes your body work harder to complete simple everyday tasks like climbing stairs.

POOR QUALITY SLEEP

According to the National Sleep Foundation, an adult needs at least 7-8 hours of restorative sleep each night. While you sleep, your body produces growth hormones which helps with the formation of muscle, and other tissues as well as regulating blood sugar levels.

During sleep you also replenish chemicals that regulate mood such as serotonin, dopamine and norepinephrine or epinephrine (adrenaline). These chemicals are responsible for your happiness level hence crucial for maintaining good moods throughout the day.

Not getting enough sleep over time leaves you feeling exhausted because these hormones can't be produced efficiently.

REMEDIES FOR FATIGUE

RULE OUT MEDICAL CONDITIONS

If you have symptoms that indicate an underlying health issue, it's best to see your doctor first and rule out any illnesses. A simple blood test for thyroid hormones, for example, can help identify the cause of your fatigue symptoms.

Fatigue can also be a symptom of other medical conditions like heart disease— your doctor will provide medical advice in regard to which testing you should get.

If you are currently taking prescription medication, talk to your doctor about your symptoms. Certain medications that cause side effects like fatigue may need to be adjusted or discontinued depending on the severity of the impact.

Your doctor may also be able to provide medical advice regarding treatments or supplements that may help to improve your energy levels.

MAKE POSITIVE LIFESTYLE CHANGES

Making some changes in your daily routine may also lead to a significant improvement in your energy levels.

Some people feel better when they are exposed to sunlight consistently throughout the day. Others benefit from doing moderate exercise for weight loss. In some cases, an elimination diet can help identify and avoid certain foods that could be causing extreme fatigue.

TAKE NATURAL SUPPLEMENTS

Taking the right supplements can make a huge difference when you’re dealing with chronic fatigue syndrome. You're looking for a supplement that:

• Provides sustained energy
• Improves mental focus & clarity
• Has only natural, organic ingredients
• Doesn’t contain banned ingredients

A quality nootropic mushroom blend may help with fatigue, mental fog, and lack of clarity.

If you’re feeling constantly tired, a mushroom supplement may:

• Improve your oxygen utilization
• Increasing your body’s ATP production
• Delay the onset of fatigue
• Boos mental clarity and cognitive functions

A quality natural pre-workout supplement can help increase your endurance and provide sustained energy while you exercise. Look for one with natural caffeine that won’t leave you jittery like other brands do.

Alternatively, if you're looking for a caffeine-free boost, you can sip on an amino acid (BCAA) drink during your session.