Why Am I Always Tired And Have No Energy? (2021)

If you're always tired, the reason likely has something to do with your lifestyle. How much you exercise, socialize with loved ones, and how well you eat are key factors in determining  how well you sleep.

Has my lifestyle changed?

Understanding recent changes in your life is key to understanding your sleep cycle. Have you recently moved to a new city? Have you had a new child? Have you had to readjust to working remotely? If you said yes to any of these, you have experienced a lifestyle change, which is likely a reason you're sleeping less.  

Lack of sleep

There is nothing worse than a bad night's sleep. You toss and turn all night. You hear every little noise. You accidentally wake your partner. As you stare at the ceiling, you realize how uncomfortable your old mattress has become. It suddenly dawns on you that this mattress has been keeping you up, and it has been for years. The next morning, you peel yourself out of your old bed and slump off to work, cranky and tired. Maybe you spend all day at work wondering what you can do sleep better tonight. You need a lifestyle change.

Eating and drinking habits

Remember how Mom never let you eat sugar too close to bedtime? Well, she had the right idea! Unfortunately, however, many of the worst things you can consume before bed are staples of the American diet. Not only do these food and drink items keep you awake, they can lead to other distressing sleep-related issues.

Some of the worst things you can consume before bed include:

• Sugar (thanks, Mom!)‍
• Alcohol
• Caffeine
• Fried foods
• Red meat

If any of these are a regular part of your diet, particularly right before bed, it may be time to make a change in favor of your sleep cycle.

Medical conditions

Not surprisingly, there are several medical conditions that can prevent you from getting a good night's rest. Perhaps you've already been diagnosed with one or more of these issues, or maybe the symptoms sound familiar. If any of these sound familiar, contact your physician for help.

• Sleep Apnea. This is a sneaky one! Often, your partner is the first to know if you have sleep apnea. Its primary symptom is loud snoring, which leads the victim to stop breathing in their sleep. It's primarily caused by being overweight, and can often be managed through a combination of medication and CPAP machine. Sometimes, the issue can be resolved through weight loss. ‍
• Heart disease. When your body strains to pump blood and impacts your oxygen levels, it can lead you to feel tired. Heart disease is an umbrella term for a host of issues that are resolved in a variety of ways, including medication and proper diet. If you have heart disease and are experiencing chronic fatigue, it's important to discuss this with your doctor to find a treatment that's right for you.‍
• Anemia. Like heart disease, anemia impacts how blood is processed through your body. If you're feeling tired, dizzy, and weak, your doctor can check for anemia through a simple blood test. ‍
• Hypothyroidism. This illness, which is more common among women, occurs when your thyroid doesn't produce enough thyroid hormone. In addition to fatigue, symptoms often include weight gain and a feeling of being cold. Symptoms of hypothyroidism can be treated through medication prescribed by your doctor. ‍
• Hepatitis. Hepatitis impacts the way your liver processes proteins. As a result, this often leaves the sufferer feeling fatigued. Tiredness occurs with jaundiced eyes, dark urine, and light-colored stool. Treatment plans vary, so if you're experiencing these symptoms, it's best to contact your doctor. ‍
• Diabetes. Impacting your body's production of insulin, diabetes often leaves sufferers feeling tired. Slow healing wounds, infections, and lack of sensation in the lower limbs are also signs of diabetes. A doctor can screen for this using a blood test, and symptoms are often manageable through medication.

What can I do to feel well-rested?

If none of the conditions above sound familiar and you're still concerned about your sleeping habits, here are some things you might try:

• Contact your physician for a precautionary health screening.
• Decrease alcohol, caffeine, and sugar consumption.
• Decrease time on your computer and mobile devices.
• Consider changing your environment, such as removing the television from your bedroom, getting a pair of blackout curtains, or buying a new mattress.

How the right mattress improves your sleep

Our mattresses aren't something we think about often, though they're the foundation of a restful night. Many people don't realize how long they've had their current mattress. But as we age, our bodies change—and so should our mattress. Sleeping on a mattress that suits our personal needs is a fundamental part of sleeping deeply and waking rested.

The #1 Best Mattress For Restful Sleep

Saatva is our top pick for the #1 best mattress for Sleep Apnea in 2021! They're a luxury hypoallergenic mattress shipped directly to your door (with full-service white-glove delivery). They have over 50,000 reviews and continue to be one of the most reputable, established brands in the industry (founded in 2009). Check their price, here.