Why You Always Feel Tired

The amount of sleep a person needs varies from person to person. While some people can function very normally on less sleep, others need a little more. Then there are some people who are tired no matter how much sleep they get.

According to the National Sleep Foundation, the guidelines are:

12 – 18 hours of sleep for a newborn (0 – 2 months)

14 – 15 hours of sleep for a infant (3 – 11 months)

12 – 14 hours of sleep for a toddler (1 – 3 years old)

11 – 13 hours of sleep for a preschooler (3 – 5 years old)

10 – 11 hours of sleep for school aged kids (5 – 10 years of age)

8.5 – 9.25 hours of sleep for teenagers (10 – 17 years of age)

7 – 9 hours of sleep for anyone 18 and over

While it’s not uncommon for children to sleep a little more or a little less, as adults sleeping more then 7 – 9 hours a night could be a sign of problems. Not only will it affect your health to sleep a lot, it may affect things in your life such as relationships and work habits.

If you’re always feeling tired there are many possible reasons, some include:

Depression is an emotional disorder. Depression can affect more then your mental health. Depression can make you feel tired, fatigued, headaches, loss of appetite among other things. If you’ve been going through hard times in your life or having down feelings for more then a week, it’s time to see your doctor. Depression tends to get worse without professional help.

Eating to little or the wrong things can cause fatigue. A balanced diet will keep your blood sugar in the normal range and giving your body what it needs to function properly. Eat healthy meals and snacks throughout the day, so you’ll have energy and not feel so fatigued.

Possible sleep apnea. Sleep apnea briefly stops your breathing throughout the night. Each time it happens you’re briefly awaken but you may not realize it. If you’re getting the recommended amount of sleep, yet still feeling tired, sleep apnea could be the problem. Some possible solutions to sleep apnea are loosing weight, if you’re not at a healthy weight. If sleep apnea could be an issue for you and you smoke, you need to quit. You should consult with your doctor on any possible methods of helping with sleep apnea like a sleeping device.

If you’re a woman be aware of anemia. Anemia is the leading cause of fatigue in women. Menstrual blood loss can cause an iron deficiency. Red blood cells are needed to carry oxygen to your organs. A simple fix to this is taking an iron supplement. Also eating a diet that has plenty of iron rich foods like lean meat, enriched cereals, beans and shellfish.

Hypothyroidism can be a problem that affects sleep. The thyroid is a small gland at the base of your neck that controls your metabolism. Your body may convert food into energy to slowly, leaving you feeling tired, fatigued and sluggish. A simple blood test can be done to determine if your thyroid is an issue.

Other things that can affect your sleep are diabetes, dehydration, to much caffeine, heart disease, food allergies, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS), fibromyalgia or just a lack of enough activity throughout the day.

If you’re always feeling tired and all you want to do is sleep, take a look at your lifestyle and try a little modification. If nothing changes, it’s time to see your doctor. You deserve a happy, healthy quality of life. Don’t sleep your life away. Get help and enjoy your life.