About Your Mood  Mood & Stress

Are You Tired Of Being Tired?

Lately you've been so exhausted you can barely get through your morning routine. By mid-afternoon, your body feels like a lead weight and you're ready for a nap.

Why are you so tired all the time? Fatigue can have many causes. It may be related to stress, eating habits or medication. Or it may be the sign of a too hectic schedule. Are you running from one activity to the next?

Some fatigue in life is to be expected. But if you experience a marked change in your energy level or your fatigue persists despite adequate rest, see your doctor. Being tired all the time may be a sign of an underlying medical problem.

Stress and anxiety. Is your schedule taxing? If you're burning the candle at both ends, you're going to feel it. Anxiety also can cause fatigue. If worries are keeping you from relaxing, you're likely not getting the rest you need.

Lack of sleep. One of the chief causes of fatigue is lack of sleep. You may not go to bed early enough. Or, more likely, you go to bed but can't sleep well. With age, it becomes harder to get uninterrupted sleep. You sleep less soundly. You awaken earlier. In addition, health problems may interfere with sound sleep.

Inactivity. You're too tired to exercise, so you don't. But then when you do exert yourself, you tire easily because you're out of shape. Boredom also can make you feel sluggish. If you're spending hours in front of the TV, you're not putting any demands on your body and it may continually run on low.

Eating habits. If you're not eating properly or drinking enough fluids, your body isn't getting the fuel it needs for energy. Trying to remedy this with caffeine can backfire, especially if you consume it late in the day and it interferes with sleep. Some people can feel caffeine's effects for up to 10 hours.

How to fight fatigue:

• Manage stress. Reduce stress in your life where you can. Don't try to do everything. Learn to say no. Take time each day to simply relax.
• Exercise. Try to build 20 to 30 minutes of moderate physical activity into your day. Go for a walk. Tend to your garden. It may be hard at first, but within weeks you should notice a difference in your stamina.
• Eat properly. Eat a low-fat, high-fiber breakfast to prepare your body for the day's demands. Then refuel every 3 or 4 hours. Limit high-fat and high-sugar foods. They'll tend to make you feel sluggish later.
• Sleep right. Avoid eating, reading or watching TV in bed. Keep your bedroom cool, dark and quiet. And set your alarm for the same time each day -- the routine will help you establish a regular sleep schedule. Naps are OK, but keep them short and early in the day.
• Pace yourself. Take breaks when you need them.

Source: MayoClinic.com