6 reasons why you could be tired all the time.
There are many contributing factors to fatigue and many underlying causes that can often make it difficult to pinpoint the exact cause of your fatigue.
1. Stress. This is something that is felt daily for some. Work deadlines, family and social responsibilities etc can leave us feeling ‘wired’. When we feel stress constantly, this can impact our energy levels, as the body is working overtime, all the time. Being in a constant 'fight or flight' state burns out our adrenal glands, which are little bean-shaped glands that sit on top of our kidneys. They are responsible for producing our hormones, including Cortisol and Adrenalin. Stress is a necessary response in life; if we feel we are in danger, if a loved one is at risk, if we need to run away from a lion.... however, staying in that stress, all the time, is not ideal.
2. Sleep. Poor sleep patterns are an obvious one when it comes to fatigue. We need consistent, quality sleep. It has been shown that getting the less than recommended 8 hours, is associated with reduced concentration & memory and poor work performance. This can also contribute to mental fatigue and cloudy thinking.
3. Dehydration. One more reason to keep drinking clean, filtered water every day. Becoming dehydrated is a very common, but also overlooked, cause of fatigue. The brain and the body love to be hydrated! Our cells need adequate fluid intake to make sure they are firing on all cylinders. (Remember back to high-school science? The nucleus is the powerhouse of the cell! Which means our cells are responsible for making our energy!). Dehydrated cells = unhappy, tired cells.
4. Nutrient deficiencies. Your body needs the correct nutrition to help it thrive. Your muscles, cells and organs need all the essential nutrients required to perform effectively. When the wrong foods, or not enough of the right foods, are eaten, the body cannot perform at its peak, therefore presenting as fatigue. Your body is a machine - it needs to be fueled correctly.
5. Low Iron, B12 or poorly performing Thyroid gland. These are just a few components of a blood test that I review when chronic/long-term fatigue is someone’s presenting complaint. These factors are often overlooked and not supported properly. Such a simple remedy to help address low energy!
6. Too much screen time. Too much screen time and device time can disrupt our Circadian Rhythm. The circadian rhythm is what helps tell our brain and body that it is time to switch off and get ready for rest. The blue light that devices and screens emit disrupt this rhythm and cause sleep disruptions and disturbances; tossing & turning, light sleeping, trouble falling asleep, frequently waking through the night, and waking feeling exhausted.
As always, our health is like a complex jigsaw puzzle - there usually isn't one single solution - If you feel like this sounds like you, make sure you book a consultation to talk about what we can do to support you and your energy levels!
Yours in Health and Wellness,
Casey