Why Am I So Tired?
In a society where there’s so much pressure on us to do all the things, it’s no surprise we’re all so freakin’ exhausted.
When we’re burning the candle at both ends, it’s tempting to turn to caffeine just to get through the day. And don’t get me wrong, I love my coffee too.
But when we’re already overwhelmed and exhausted, drinking too much coffee can just put more pressure on our adrenals. Sadly, coffee is not the answer.
Some common causes of fatigue include food deficiencies, poor sleep, adrenal fatigue and stress, but it can also be a sign of more serious underlying health issues.
But in the meantime, I’ve got some suggestions of simple things you can do when you’re low on energy and feeling tired all the time.
Here are five reasons for why you might be struggling with low energy and what you can do about it –
Dehydration
Not drinking enough water can cause your energy levels to decrease as you need water to increase blood volume which is important to transporting oxygen and nutrients throughout the body. So make sure you’re drinking at least 2L of water a day.
Dietary factors
A diet high in foods that are energy dense but nutrient poor such as refined sugars can cause a spike in blood sugar and lead to a crash in energy. These foods can definitely be part of a healthy diet, however it’s important to incorporate core food groups such as fruit, vegetables and whole grains, which provide you with more sustainable energy.
Stress
High stress levels can cause a disruption in sleep patterns, resulting in poorer quality of sleep, therefore higher fatigue levels. Stress can also lead to other negative long term health effects, so it’s important to find ways to manage stress levels. This could be engaging in exercise you enjoy, meditation, or even talking to a trusted person or health professional.
Low iron
Iron is an essential nutrient you need for your body to make red blood cells which are important for carrying oxygen throughout the body which contributes significantly to energy levels. Try including iron rich foods in your diet such as red meat, or iron fortified plant foods such as cereals.
Caffeine
If you drink tea and coffee, look at the time of day you’re having it. It can take between 6-10 hours for caffeine to leave your system entirely, so if you’re drinking coffee in the afternoon you might find that you have trouble sleeping which can result in fatigue. If this is the case, try setting a cut off time for when you stop consuming caffeine in the day.
Making these changes to your lifestyle can help increase your energy levels, but if your fatigue persists then it’s a good idea to talk to your doctor as low energy can be the cause of an underlying health issue.
I hope these five natural ways to boost your energy levels will put an end to feeling tired all the time for you.
Want simple meal ideas that will leave you feeling satisfied, full and energised? I think you’ll love the RTH program. You get healthy recipes, workouts and mindset tips to take the guesswork out of food.
