Tired all of the time?

[Kimmy]

Lately I've just been so tired all of the time. One or two nights I've had 11-12 hours sleep (I know you can still be tired after oversleeping, but usually I get the right amount) and I can't really wake up until later afternoon. Sometimes I don't event want to get up, it's hard to bring myself around to getting out of bed.
I'm usually an earlybird (ish) and so it's really frustrating to lose half of your day. It's beginning to really affect my mood and everything else too, and I can't be bothered doing anything. If say I get up at 1pm after a 10 hour sleep, I can lay back down half an hour later and sleep for another 3-4 hours. Or I can nap during the day and still wake up sluggish and sleepy.

I get enough sleep, still tired.
I get more than enough sleep, still tired.
Don't get sleep, tired.

NEVER WIN. I don't really have an appetite to eat anything either, but this could be to do with something completely separate idk.

Any help/ideas why this is?

[Drew]

I feel for you! I am a morning person myself so it puts me in a bad mood whenever I wake up later than I'd like to. Do you stay up late a lot? That could be a reason why you're feeling tired all the time. Based on experience, your diet can affect your energy levels too. I often find myself feeling more energetic when I eat "cleaner". Try exercising regularly too - it may seem counterintuitive, but regular exercise does boost your energy levels! Hope that helps :)

[Kimmy]

I feel for you! I am a morning person myself so it puts me in a bad mood whenever I wake up later than I'd like to. Do you stay up late a lot? That could be a reason why you're feeling tired all the time. Based on experience, your diet can affect your energy levels too. I often find myself feeling more energetic when I eat "cleaner". Try exercising regularly too - it may seem counterintuitive, but regular exercise does boost your energy levels! Hope that helps :)

I'm not that much of a late person, really. I really hate going to bed when it's only a few hours from other people waking up, so I try to keep it before 12 at the very least. Exercising is a really good idea too. I just bought myself some new sports gear to motivate me in that way, but I'm generally active so it's so frustrating. Thanks so much for the help! I'll keep everything in mind.

[Red]

Deffo try eating healthy and plenty of exercise. An evening workout will completely wreck me and give me a really good night sleep.

[Empired]

I have so much trouble with sleeping. I'm a natural early bird and usually like to sleep 11pm - 6:45am so it's so frustrating when I get out of sync. We also get hundreds of people in the pharmacy complaining about a lack of sleep.

This is just a side thought at the end for general health: do you notice any patterns of sleepiness? Like immediately after lunch or other mealtimes or while you're doing certain activities, or does it just come on randomly? Do you feel under the weather, particularly down, or is it just tiredness?

Few questions first (they don't have to be answered on HxF, but ask yourself). I'll explain them in more detail further down.


Are you getting your 5 a day?
How much of your diet would you say is carb-based? And when do you eat carbohydrates?
How much exercise and, more importantly, fresh air do you get in a day? (Opening a window doesn't count as fresh air ;)) And when do you do that exercise?
When do you shower?
What is your routine before bed?
How dark is your bedroom?


It's really important to be eating a healthy, balanced diet for a proper night's sleep. Five fruit + veg a day is important and eating lots of sugar and fast-releasing energy leaves you feeling sleepy and lethargic soon after the buzz has worn off, fatty "unhealthy" foods like crisps leave you feeling low as well. High-carb foods (pasta, potatoes, particularly mashed potatoes) leave you feeling sleepy so avoid them until your evening meal.

As Kirst says, exercise is really good for tiring you out before bed but getting some fresh air whilst doing it is really important too. Going out for an evening jog would be fantastic because the exercise will tire you out physically whilst fresh air and a change of scenery can cheer you up and stop you feeling all cooped up inside, which can end up making you anxious and skittish so it's even harder to get to sleep. You should really be doing at least 40 minutes a day of low-energy exercise (walking the dog, cycling to the shops, housework that keeps you moving, whatever) and high-energy exercise (running, sports, etc) 2 - 4 times a week.

When you shower seems like a bit of a weird question, but having a hot shower or bath late at night not only lets you wash off the sweat from those late night jogs you've been going on *hint hint nudge nudge*, but the heat allows your muscles to relax and make you feel more sleepy.

If you haven't got a routine you like to go through before going to bed, I thoroughly recommend you try to come up with one. You shouldn't be looking at screens at least 60 minutes before turning the lights out (people claim watching TV helps them sleep but it guarantees a bad quality sleep once you're down), having a bath or shower, reading a book, etc. If you keep doing the same things each night before you settle down it lets your body know that you're wanting to go to sleep soon, so it can begin to shut down.

The question about the darkness of your bedroom is just because humans like to sleep as close to darkness as possible. You need to make sure all lights from outside and inside are turned off. That particularly includes laptop lights/chargers and phone notification lights.

Also, do not let yourself nap. If you feel yourself beginning to get tired in the afternoons, get up and go outside. You'll be grumpy as hell as you're getting ready but will definitely feel better by the time you come back in. Letting yourself nap just means you won't be able to sleep at night.

Finally, I recommend some over-the-counter sleep medicine to get you started. You can buy 3 weeks' worth of Kalms One-A-Night which I've found best, but stop taking them after the three weeks are up.

Omg sorry for the essay. I feel like a robot spinning this stuff out but I swear we have a protocol we have to go through for asking questions with this sort of thing at the pharmacy.

[Kyle]

Essentially eat a more balanced diet, leave curtains or blinds open at all times to get more natural light, leave the house for at least an hour every day and get out of bed AS SOON AS you wake up.

[Firehorse]

Make sure you're getting enough fat in your diet if you aren't already. Have a heavily-buttered sandwich and some whole-fat milk.

[Zak]

You'll probably feel tired all the time when you start full-time work. I do.

[scottish]

You'll probably feel tired all the time when you start full-time work. I do.

+1 me too.

[_HeyyItsHannah_]

This might be a bit odd but. Do you have any heart diseases? Or aches and pains like your muscles or anything?

[Kimmy]

This might be a bit odd but. Do you have any heart diseases? Or aches and pains like your muscles or anything?

Previously. Nothing's been problematic with my heart for quite some time, however. Because of sports, I always get aches and pains so never think much of it.

[Kloe]

In the wise words of Sam Smith, "I know I'm not the only one". :cheers:

Edited by Ripieno (Forum Moderator): Please don't post out of subject.

[Brad]

I am in the same boat as you. I do get appropriate amounts of sleep, etc. One thing that my body was lacking was Vitamin D, and B12, after a couple weeks taking those supplements, I began noticing a difference. Now I take 40mg of Vitamin D a day (Which isn't a bad thing.. and you can't overdose on it because any of the vitamin you don't use gets removed when you urinate.)
The B12 helps with your digestion system, it sort of boosts your system and assists it, and it helps a lot to boost your energy.

And oddly enough, the thing that helped me a lot was drinking the appropriate amount of water a day. It not only hydrated me, but it gave my body a cleanse.

I don't know if any of that will help, but I totally understand where you're coming right now... because I have been there. :)

[Cody]

Too much sleep will make you tired!


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[Empired]

I am in the same boat as you. I do get appropriate amounts of sleep, etc. One thing that my body was lacking was Vitamin D, and B12, after a couple weeks taking those supplements, I began noticing a difference. Now I take 40mg of Vitamin D a day (Which isn't a bad thing.. and you can't overdose on it because any of the vitamin you don't use gets removed when you urinate.)
The B12 helps with your digestion system, it sort of boosts your system and assists it, and it helps a lot to boost your energy.

And oddly enough, the thing that helped me a lot was drinking the appropriate amount of water a day. It not only hydrated me, but it gave my body a cleanse.

I don't know if any of that will help, but I totally understand where you're coming right now... because I have been there. :)
Don't know what the price is like for you in Canada but you're paying for some very expensive urine there if you're taking 40mg a day!

If you think you're lacking in Vitamin D, please just go outside and walk around in the park. Supplements don't harm your body but are an expensive habit and you can get those vitamins in other (completely free) ways. You may want to try vitamin D supplements for a while and see if you notice a difference in your mood/sleep. If you do, increase the amount of time you spend outside each day and come off the tablets again.

[-:Undertaker:-]

I always find I am tired when I start waking up past like 10am.

[Brad]

Don't know what the price is like for you in Canada but you're paying for some very expensive urine there if you're taking 40mg a day!

If you think you're lacking in Vitamin D, please just go outside and walk around in the park. Supplements don't harm your body but are an expensive habit and you can get those vitamins in other (completely free) ways. You may want to try vitamin D supplements for a while and see if you notice a difference in your mood/sleep. If you do, increase the amount of time you spend outside each day and come off the tablets again.

I wasn't saying that it all will leave but if you're afraid of "overdosing" there is no such thing with vitamin D. But I agree. Outside time definitely helps with balancing supplements. During the days that have more sun, I tend to only do about 10mg. Supplements are much in Canada.

[_HeyyItsHannah_]

Previously. Nothing's been problematic with my heart for quite some time, however. Because of sports, I always get aches and pains so never think much of it.

Maybe you're low on Iron! We are ladies! Ladies usually have a higher chance of being low on iron. I know when I'm always low on iron because I start getting so much more fatigued than what I usually am. With your history of heart diseases, it could be so. I mean ofc I'm not a doc or anything but I know I'm exactly like that when my irons low! Try eating more proteins like meats (If you do eat meat) or taking some over the counter vitamin supplements! The vitamins work like a charm for me!

[OldLoveSong]

sounds like me. ive had sleep issues for years and had to go to numerous sleep clinics. I can sleep for 11 hours yet not feel well rested when i wake up. First of all, are you taking any vitamins or pills? Some pills like calcium and other prescribed pills can make you more tired like birth control or anti depressants or w/e. Is your iron low? Get a doctors appointment to get a blood test to check the levels in your blood to see if yo have a deficiency. Are you eating right? Snacks before bedtime such as cheese and otherdairy products carbs can make you more tired after you wake up. All in all if you have a naturopathic or homeopathic doctor or health store near you i would advise checking them out for some natural pills or vitamins to boost your energy level.