Healthy Monday:7 Reasons You Feel Tired All The Time

1/YOU’RE DEHYDRATED

Without adequate fluid intake, blood pressure drops, slowing delivery of oxygen to the brain, which can leave you feeling flat out. The amount of fluid needed depends on the individual, but you should aim to go to the toilet at least three times a day. Between six and eight glasses of water-based drinks – including tea and coffee – a day are recommended.

2/ YOUR THYROID

Hypothyroidism is when your thyroid, a gland that produces hormones to control sleepiness and hunger, is underactive. It’s a common cause of over-sleeping, but hard to pinpoint without a doctor. If you’re feeling sluggish but getting plenty of sleep, book an appointment with your doctor. A simple blood test can detect a gland gone bad.
3/ ALCOHOL

More than half of us reach for a glass of vino between three to four times a week to relax after a hectic day. While alcohol relaxes you initially, it can compromise your sleep quality – even if you are get the recommended 7-8 hours. The chemicals in alcohol disrupt your sleep cycle, preventing you from entering deep sleep. Step away from the Chardonnay.

4/ YOU HAVE SLEEP APNEA

The disorder affects 3-7% of the population. Sufferers wake up because they stop breathing anywhere from five times to hundreds of times an hour. Sounds scarier than it us but you’ll sleep for longer because your sleep quality is compromised. The catch: you don’t remember waking up, so it’s hard to tell if you’re suffering. Snoring, being overweight, and waking up with a headache – caused by a nocturnal lack of oxygen - are all symptoms of sleep apnea. Speak to your doctor if they sound familiar.

5/ NAPPING

A siesta can take the edge off an afternoon slump, but the duration of your downtime is crucial. It has been clinically proven that taking a nap for up to 30 minutes is revitalising, but any longer than that and you’ll end up in a REM cycle for an hour. Waking mid-cycle can leave you feeling groggy so if you want to nap for longer, have one lasting 90 minutes.
6/ YOUR MOOD

Many depressed people aren’t just down in the dumps - they’re sleepy, too. But here’s the deal: depression doesn’t necessarily make you sleep more, it just makes getting out of bed in the a.m. tougher, which could lead to excess sleep. So if you’re finding yourself lacking the energy to face the hours ahead of you or dreading the day, head to your GP to get checked for this very common disease.

7/ MINERAL DEFICIENCY

Magnesium plays a vital role in maintaining blood glucose levels, muscle health and concentration so a lack of it can leave you feeling lethargic. Magnesium is found in leafy vegetables and nuts, but a supplement can help too. Try Healthspan Magnesium Tablets with full Vitamin B Complex .