Why You’re Always Tired: Uncovering the Causes

Here's a mind-boggling fact: Over half of India wakes up feeling tired, and almost 90% of us wake up multiple times in the night. It's pretty common to walk into work and overhear a colleague talking about how they could barely sleep the night before and that they have "literally no energy" to work.

And what's sad is that we have accepted this to be the norm: to hustle, to barely sleep. It's all about working and gaining the respect of our peers. That's what people attribute tiredness to. But what if we told you that there could be an underlying health issue that is just sapping your energy away every day, like a parasite?

That's what this article is about! We'll take a look at the common causes of constant fatigue and show you the way forward.

One of the most obvious but often overlooked causes of chronic fatigue is poor sleep quality. Even if you think you're getting enough sleep, disorders like insomnia, sleep apnea, or restless leg syndrome can leave you waking up exhausted.

Insomnia

Anyone with insomnia can tell you that the most challenging part of their day is the night. Managing sleep is just impossible. And when they do, they'll be tossing and turning in bed. This disorder often stems from stress, anxiety, or poor sleep hygiene (like too much screen time before bed). If you find yourself staring at the ceiling at 2 AM a lot, it might just be time to change your night routine.

Sleep Apnea

Remember the stakeout episode in Brooklyn Nine-Nine, in which Boyle has to wear that weird mask to sleep? That's because he has sleep apnea! This is when breathing during sleep is irregular. People with this condition often snore loudly and experience frequent interruptions in their breathing patterns, so they don't have good sleep and end up feeling really tired during the day.

Restless Leg Syndrome (RLS)

This is a neurological condition in which the person has the urge to move their legs around and feels really restless when they keep their legs still. The discomfort can range from tingling to aching, and constant movement to relieve the sensation can prevent deep, restful sleep.

What is the solution?

Maintaining a healthy sleep schedule is paramount; if you don't know how to go about it, just click on this blog! Try to avoid caffeine and alcohol at night and sleep around the same time every night, so your body knows it's sleep time at the same time every night. And if you have any issues like sleep apnea, consult your doctor and they will tell you the way forward!

Over 80% of Indians have a deficiency in calcium, Vitamin A, B, D, and folate. All these play a big role in your daily life and sleep. Your body requires specific vitamins and minerals to function correctly, and a shortage can leave you feeling tired.

Iron Deficiency (Anaemia)

In a recent study, 25% of men and 57% of women in India have an iron deficiency. Having less iron in the body is one of the most common causes of constant fatigue, which can lead to anaemia. Iron is essential for producing haemoglobin, the protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen throughout the body. Without enough iron, your body struggles to get sufficient oxygen, leaving you feeling weak and tired.

Vitamin B12 Deficiency

47% of Indians suffer from vitamin B12 deficiency. This vitamin plays a big role in nerve function and the production of DNA and red blood cells. A B12 deficiency can result in fatigue, weakness, and cognitive issues like memory problems or difficulty concentrating. Since B12 is mostly found in animal products, vegetarians and vegans, a big chunk of India's population, are more at risk.

Vitamin D Deficiency

Nearly 76% of the Indian population suffers from vitamin D deficiency, which is crazy considering how much sun the country gets. With many of us now spending our days and summer vacations at home, this deficiency is becoming more common, and it can lead to feelings of tiredness and low energy.

What Can Be Done?

The first thing you should do is get a blood test and visit a doctor to see if you have any deficiencies. If you do, your doctor will give you some supplements or tell you to add specific foods to your diet to increase the number of what you're deficient in.

Stress, anxiety, and depression play a major role in your energy levels because mental health is very much intertwined with chronic fatigue, creating a vicious cycle where stress leads to exhaustion, and exhaustion, in turn, makes it harder to cope with stress.

Cortisol and Adrenal Fatigue

A hormone called cortisol is pumped into your body whenever you're stressed. When you're under constant pressure, your body can produce too much cortisol, which leads to adrenal fatigue. Adrenal fatigue is a condition where the adrenal glands become overworked and struggle to maintain normal hormone levels to balance everything out. This can end up with you being tired all the time. You'll find it difficult to concentrate and even feel burnt out.

Anxiety and Sleep Disruptions

Anxiety can make you get less sleep at night as you feel overwhelmed about a lot of things. And when you get less sleep, you'll end up feeling tired the next day. The constant worry and tension can prevent you from getting the rest you need, and the lack of sleep worsens your anxiety, becoming an endless cycle.

Depression and Low Energy

People who are suffering from depression many times don't have the motivation to get things done; they always feel tired and just don't want to do simple daily things, even after getting a full night's sleep.

What Can Be Done?

Try meditation and mindful techniques to help you get through the day. In today's busy world, it can be difficult to find time to meditate, but don't worry! Check out this 5-minute meditation technique to help you feel more connected to the world!

Therapy and counselling are also effective ways to address the underlying causes of stress and anxiety, helping to restore your energy levels.

Hormonal imbalances, especially ones related to the thyroid, can wreak havoc on your energy levels.

Hypothyroidism

The thyroid gland regulates metabolism in the front of our necks. When it doesn't work as much as it should, the body's process slows down. This is called hypothyroidism. Because of this condition, people can be really tired, gain weight, and become sensitive to cold. Hypothyroidism is more common in women, especially those over 50, but it can affect anyone.

Adrenal Fatigue

Adrenal fatigue is a condition in which prolonged stress leads to the adrenal glands being unable to produce sufficient cortisol. This results in fatigue, lack of motivation, and even feelings of depression.

Menopause and Hormonal Changes

Fluctuations in oestrogen and progesterone levels can lead to mood swings, night sweats, and insomnia, all of which contribute to constant tiredness.

What Can Be Done?

If you feel hormonal imbalances are causing your fatigue, go and get some tests done and speak to your doctor. Thyroid function tests, cortisol level checks, and hormone panels can help identify imbalances and depending on the results, your doctor would prescribe medication or recommend lifestyle changes to restore hormones.

Believe it or not, something as simple as dehydration can significantly sap your energy. Water is essential for every function in the body, and even a little bit of dehydration can cause fatigue. So, if you're feeling sluggish, maybe put down the Sting and pick up some water instead.

What Can Be Done?

Make it a habit to drink water throughout the day, aiming for at least eight cups daily or more if you're physically active or live in a hot place. Use a water bottle instead of plastic cups, or buy a Bisleri water bottle. Got to think of the turtles.

If you're always feeling fatigued, don't try to push through; instead, try to figure out what's going wrong. By addressing these issues through lifestyle changes, nutritional adjustments, and medical interventions, you can restore energy and live a healthier, more vibrant life.

If you always feel tired, it's time to investigate what's really going on beneath the surface. Take the necessary steps to regain your energy and start feeling like yourself again!