Do you find yourself questioning why you are always so exhausted? No matter how much sleep you get at night, you are still tired all the time. We all know that getting a good night’s sleep is essential to having a productive day; however, very few of us make it a priority to get the recommended eight or more hours every night. Due to this, many of us have forgotten what it truly feels like to be fully rested. In order to compensate for the lack of sleep, we turn to alarm clocks that interfere with our bodies natural sleep/wake cycle to wake us, and stimulants such as coffee and energy drinks to keep us going.
Now, aside from a good night’s rest, there are other factors that can contribute to your chronic exhaustion. Some of these factors include your diet, hormonal balance, exercise routine, and the mental stressors in your life. Let’s take a look at some other reasons why you are always exhausted.
Due to today’s office-oriented work environment, it is very common for people to develop a sedentary lifestyle. Sitting all day is tough on the body and causes soreness, stiffness, back pain, and can make you feel tired. The human body is meant to move, so by staying sedentary for the majority of the day, you may experience chronic fatigue and sluggishness.
You can combat these side-effects by incorporating regular exercise into your daily routine. This will help balance your hormones, improve insulin resistance and help you sleep better. You can also try getting a standing desk, or at least on that adjusts between sitting and standing. There are many benefits to using a standing desk at work.
Your chronic fatigue can also be the product of depression. Depression is one of the most common mental disorders that cause a drain in energy in the US. An estimated 16 million adults 18 years or older, have at least one major depressive episode every year. There are many causes of depression, such as high stress, neurotransmitter imbalances, hormonal imbalances, and unresolved emotional issues. Changes in your diet can help in alleviating your depression. The foods we eat can significantly affect our mood, so by replacing processed and refined foods with more proteins, vegetables, and healthy fats; you can start producing more “feel-good hormones.”
Another common cause of exhaustion is dehydration. This occurs when you have an excessive loss of bodily fluids, especially water and electrolytes. Typically, when you are feeling thirsty, your body is likely dehydrated. The biggest cause of dehydration is not drinking enough water or replacing water intake with sugary sodas and juices.
When your body is dehydrated, your heart sends oxygen and nutrients to the brain, muscles, and organs at a slower pace which causes fatigue and weakness in the muscles amongst other issues. A great way to combat this is by drinking more water throughout the day, along with increasing your intake of fruits and vegetables. The recommended intake of water is at least eight glasses (or 1 gallon) per day. So, make sure you are staying on top of your water intake to mitigate any feelings of burnout or exhaustion.