Feeling Tired All the Time? Possible Reasons and Solutions

Feeling tired sometimes is completely normal. A bad night’s sleep, long days at the office, and stressing out over something can cause any of us to feel less than our usual energised selves.

However, what happens when you start to feel tired all the time?

There could be several underlying reasons for feeling like this, so let’s explore some of the most common ones.

Common reasons for feeling tired all the time

Before we move on to some of the underlying medical conditions that could be the cause of your tiredness, let’s look at some lifestyle factors first.

Not working out

A lack of physical activity could be the cause of your tiredness. Our body needs to move to remain healthy, and if you are not getting enough exercise, that could be what’s causing your symptoms.

Try getting a workout 3-5 times a week. Something as simple as 30 minutes of walking a day can be more than enough to get your body back into shape.

Working out too much

On the other hand, if you’re overdoing your physical exercise, your body may not have sufficient time to rest, which can be making you feel so tired.

If you’re working out regularly, make sure you add in plenty of rest time to your schedule – and that includes sleep as well as enough rest between working the same muscle groups again.

Not eating enough

If you’re trying to lose weight, and you’re eating a lot fewer calories than your body requires, you could end up feeling very drained and tired.

Instead of starving yourself and not eating enough, focus on giving your body the energy it needs. Calculate your BMI, figure out how much you are spending on exercise daily and how much you want to safely lose, and then take it from there, as opposed to winging it and robbing your body of precious nutrients.

Eating too much

An excess of calories can be just as bad, as it can lead to weight gain, lethargy, and tiredness.

Keep your calorie intake at an optimal level for your desired weight and daily calorie burn. That way, you’ll make sure your body is getting what it needs and that you’re keeping fit.

Medical reasons for feeling tired all the time

If none of the above applies to you, you may be facing a health challenge you are not yet aware of, but do not get alarmed! Here are some possible culprits:

Anaemia

Iron deficiency anaemia is one of the most common underlying reasons for feeling tired. What it means is that you are not getting enough iron in your body, which will cause your muscles to feel heavy, and you will get tired quickly.

To check if this is the case, you will need to get a blood test. You might need to take iron supplements, or simply eat more iron-rich foods.

Thyroid issues

Irregularities with your thyroid gland could also be causing your tiredness. In fact, plenty of people suffer from over- or underactive thyroids without even realising it.

To be sure, you will again need to get a blood test. You will then be able to look into thyroid supplements that can help regulate the issue, or you may need to take specific medications.

Sleep apnea

Sleep apnea is a condition where your breathing during sleep is irregular and disrupted, which, in turn, may cause snoring and lower blood oxygen levels. This leads to very poor sleep, and it can be the culprit behind daily fatigue.

There can be many underlying causes of sleep apnea, so if you think you may have it, your best course of action is to talk to your GP.

Anxiety and depression

Both anxiety and depression could be responsible for feeling so tired.

Anxious thoughts and general anxiety disorder often come with an entire set of physical symptoms that keep the body very active, making it difficult to fall asleep and get proper rest. Depression is also known to drain you of energy and make you feel incredibly tired and like you can’t get out of bed.

If you think you suffer from either of these mental conditions, consider talking to a therapist. Working on your mental health will improve your sleep and overall physical health as well.

Final thoughts

If you find yourself feeling more tired than usual, and can’t write it off to a bad night of sleep or a specific cause, consider if any of the reasons we’ve listed above might be the real root of the problem.

If you are concerned and unable to discover why you are feeling so tired all the time, visit your doctor and take all the recommended tests. Your trusted physician will help you fix any potential issues and get back to your rested self.

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