QUIZ: Why Am I So Tired?
Are you tired all the time? Do you feel like you just don’t get enough rest to get through your day without feeling sluggish or like you lack focus? You’re not alone. In fact, check out these findings a recent study conducted by the National Safety Council revealed:
- 44 percent of adult workers state they have trouble focusing during their day
- 53 percent feel they’re less productive as a result of their tiredness
- and a whopping 67 percent say they feel tired at work
But just because feeling fatigued is common doesn’t mean you shouldn’t try to figure out if there is an underlying cause.
How Tired Are You?
While feelings of tiredness are common, there are times when a level of fatigue is anything but normal. If you find yourself feeling tired enough to fall asleep during the day, you should see your doctor for further testing to rule out a medical condition.
The Causes of Fatigue
There are dozens of causes for feeling tired, and some actually are medically-related. But many times fatigue can be related to stress level accumulation and moods. There are a handful of culprits that are most commonly associated with excessive tiredness.
Not Getting Enough Sleep
Sleep deprivation is an obvious reason you may feel tired during your days. Sleep is imperative to maintaining optimal health.
Most adults should get an average of 7 – 9 hours of sleep every night.
Not Getting Enough REM Sleep
REM sleep is important for normal brain function and development. During this phase of sleep, the parts of your brain used in learning and making and retaining memories are stimulated. REM sleep ultimately repairs your mind while processing all the information you learned throughout the day.
If you’re not sleeping well through the night, your REM sleep is being interrupted, which can result in extreme fatigue during your waking hours.
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) is a medical condition that’s known to cause sleep abnormalities, prolonged tiredness and fatigue, pain and even depression. The CDC estimates that somewhere between 12 – 24 million people in the US suffer from CFS. Other symptoms may include loss of concentration, memory issues, headaches, a sore throat, unexplainable muscle and joint pain and more.
If you suspect you have CFS, don’t just rely on a chronic fatigue syndrome quiz; you should talk to your doctor right away.
Toxic Foods
Eating an unhealthy diet can contribute to feeling chronically tired. Processed foods or foods high in sugar can be hard on your system, causing you to feel sluggish and making it difficult to get through your day.
Eating a healthy, balanced, nutritious diet can result in both better sleep at night, as well as more energy throughout the day.
Not Drinking Enough Water
Dehydration is another key reason for many people’s fatigue. Most people simply do not get enough water each day. This can lead to mild dehydration, which means cells won’t function as well as they should. The end result? You can be left feeling lethargic or tired.
Aim to drink about 8 glasses of water a day.
Stress
Stress and depression are known contributors to tiredness. Any amount of prolonged stress can result in exhaustion or extreme fatigue. Exercise is a great stress reliever. Dr. Pompa recommends burst training, which can also support weight loss.
Reduce stress through meditation, exercise and other forms of self-care – all of which can have a positive effect on decreasing stress and increasing energy levels.
Mold Exposure
Some symptoms of prolonged mold exposure may include fatigue and low energy. If you think you may have regularly, consistent exposure to mold in your home, have your home tested as soon as possible, and you should be tested as well. Learn more about how Dr. Pompa recommends you detox your body from mold.
Mercury Poisoning
Methylmercury poisoning can result in muscle weakness and fatigue, among a plethora of other ailments. Mercury poisoning has been traced to amalgam fillings, which are still used by almost half of all dentists in the US.
These “silver” fillings actually contain about 50% mercury, which can vaporize and, over time, bio-accumulate in the brain.
Hormones
Hormone imbalance is one of the most common causes of fatigue. Cortisol, testosterone and progesterone levels, to name a few, all can affect energy levels throughout your day.
Talk to your doctor about testing your hormone levels to see if they’re a contributing factor to your tiredness.
