12 Potential Reasons Why You’re Tired All The Time 

tired all the time

tired all the time

Updated on 3/27/2024
Kaitlin FloydBy Kaitlin Floyd
Kaitlin Floyd
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If you discover that you have very little energy or tired all the time, you should know that you are not the only one with excessive exhaustion or a lack of vitality.

Experiencing weariness may result from something as uncomplicated as not getting enough sleep or becoming ill with a virus such as the common cold or the flu. Both of these conditions can be contagious. On the other side, it is also possible that it is the outcome of medical concerns that have been present in the past.

Even though it's natural for individuals to feel weary from time to time, chronic tiredness can negatively influence your quality of life and make it harder for you to participate in activities that bring you pleasure. Even though it's normal for people to feel tired from time to time.

tired all the time

tired all the time

In most cases, you can address fatigue by changing one's lifestyle or food, correcting a nutrient deficiency, or treating an underlying medical problem. However, to make any headway in reducing tiredness, you need first to identify the underlying cause of the issue, and only then can you hope to make any progress.

The following is a list of the twelve reasons why it's possible that you always feel exhausted.

1. An Insufficient Amount Of Quality Sleep

Getting the quantity of sleep advised for you each night is essential to maintaining a healthy body and mind. Unfortunately, many of us do not receive enough, which can contribute to feelings of weariness and even depression.

When you are asleep, your body performs a range of critical jobs, including producing essential growth hormones and repairing and regenerating cells. These processes occur while you are sleeping, and these behaviors are necessary if one wishes to keep up with a healthy lifestyle. The vast majority of individuals assert that they experience feelings of revitalization, alertness, and energy upon waking up after adequate sleep the previous night. That is because the quality of their sleep was enhanced, which contributed to the improvement.

tired all the time

tired all the time

Sleep should be calm and uninterrupted so your brain can move through the five stages of non-rapid eye movement (NREM) rest and the one stage of rapid eye movement (REM) sleep, which is the condition in which you dream.

Even though the amount of time spent sleeping should be tailored to the specific needs of each individual. Sleep research societies as well as the American Academy of Sleep Medicine strongly recommend that adults should sleep for a minimum of seven hours each night in order to maintain their health in order to function at their most effective levels. This recommendation is made even though the amount of time spent sleeping should be tailored to the specific needs of each individual.

Even though you may be aware of the advantages of acquiring the recommended amount of sleep each night, you might have trouble falling asleep and staying asleep throughout the night even though you might be aware of the benefits of sleeping enough.

Insomnia is a word you can use to describe any condition that makes it difficult to either fall asleep or remain asleep after it has been initiated. It could be brought on by various factors, including menopause, specific medical conditions, psychological stress, insufficiently comfortable sleeping environments, or an excessive quantity of mentally stimulating activity.

The medical issue that is referred to as insomnia is prevalent. One study found that up to forty percent of adults in the United States have insomnia over a year. This statistic was derived from data collected over a single year.

tired all the time

tired all the time

Insomnia, which only lasts for a short amount of time, often less than three months, is the most common form of the illness and affects 9.5% of the population in the United States. Several different factors may cause insomnia that only lasts for a short period. On the other hand, one instance of short-term insomnia is likely to develop chronic insomnia once every five such occurrences. Insomnia is considered to be established if it occurs three times a week or more and continues for over three months.

Treatment options for insomnia include natural supplements, medicines, and the care of any underlying medical conditions contributing to the state. If you've been having trouble sleeping, one or more of these cures could be just what the doctor ordered. Make sure you arrange an appointment with your primary care physician as soon as possible so that you may get the attention and treatment you require.

Summary

One of the factors that contribute to fatigue most of the time is either not getting enough sleep or sleeping substandardly. Sleep problems and insomnia can be brought on by several different things, including mental or physical stress, certain medical conditions, and sleeping environments that are uncomfortably hot or cold. If you're experiencing difficulties sleeping, you should discuss the issue with your primary care physician so that they may make some suggestions for you.

2. Nutrient Deficiencies

tired all the time

tired all the time

Even if you get more than 7 hours of sleep every night, if you are deficient in specific nutrients, you may still feel exhausted daily. That may be the case even if you exercise regularly. Even if you consume the appropriate number of calories daily, you could still experience this problem.

It is a well-known fact that fatigue is linked to nutrient deficits, namely those in the following categories:

  • iron
  • riboflavin (vitamin B2) (vitamin B2)
  • niacin (vitamin B3) (vitamin B3)
  • Pantothenic acid, or vitamin B7, is one of the many names for this nutrient (vitamin B5)
  • pyridoxine (vitamin B6) (vitamin B6)
  • folate (vitamin B9) (vitamin B9)
  • vitamin B12
  • vitamin D
  • vitamin C
  • magnesium

The prevalence of deficiencies in a good number of these nutrients is substantially higher than one might initially imagine.

tired all the time

tired all the time

Anemia affects around one-fourth of the total population of the entire world. Iron deficiency anemia is the most common form of the disease and accounts for fifty percent of all instances of anemia. A common symptom of this condition is fatigue, which is usually the result of a variety of factors; however, in the vast majority of cases, this symptom improves after the body's iron levels have been restored to their normal levels.

Additionally, research reveals that up to twenty percent of adults aged sixty and older in the United States and the United Kingdom suffer from a vitamin B12 deficiency. That is the case in both countries. This deficiency is more common among those in their later years as a direct result of the age-related decline in the body's ability to absorb B12, which occurs naturally with age.

A lack of B12, essential for circulating oxygen and energy production, might manifest itself clinically as extreme tiredness. That is because B12 is required to facilitate both processes.

Insufficient levels of vitamin D have been associated with an increased likelihood of experiencing fatigue as a result of inadequate levels of the vitamin. It is estimated that the vitamin D level of more than half of the world's population is below what is considered to be the minimum level which is recommended.

You must check your levels if you have one of these deficiencies, which are highly common if you have been feeling weary for no apparent reason. Deficiencies like these are widespread.

tired all the time

tired all the time

When your nutrient levels return to normal, you should notice an improvement in the fatigue that has been nagging you due to a shortage of one or more vital nutrients. This improvement should become noticeable when your nutrient levels return to normal.

Summary

A lack of energy is one of the symptoms that a mineral shortage can cause. Iron, vitamins B12 and D, and vitamin C are some elements that can cause this insufficiency. Your physician can test you for vitamin deficiencies and offer medication that is appropriate for those deficiencies.

3. Stress

Even though some degree of stress is considered beneficial, prolonged or chronic stress has been linked to feelings of weariness in people who experience it.

It has been demonstrated that continuous exposure to stress raises the likelihood of developing stress-related exhaustion disorder (ED). Stress-related exhaustion disorder (ED) is a medical condition characterized by psychological and physical signs of tiredness.

In addition, chronic stress may lead to changes in your brain's architectural and functional makeup and lead to chronic inflammation, all of which may contribute to symptoms such as exhaustion.

tired all the time

tired all the time

Even while you may not be able to escape stressful events, particularly those related to your career or family responsibilities, understanding how to manage your stress may help you avoid getting entirely fatigued.

For instance, you may set out some time in your calendar for decompression, during which you could take a bath, engage in meditation, or go for a walk.

Your therapist may also be able to assist in the development of strategies that will help you better manage the effects of stress in your life. Patients have the option of taking part in virtual therapy in addition to receiving counseling for their mental health as part of the benefits package offered by many different types of health insurance policies.

Summary

You may experience exhaustion and a decline in the overall quality of your life if exposed to an unacceptable level of stress. Scheduling time for therapy and prioritizing yourself will likely assist you in becoming more resilient in facing the pressures and demands in your life.

4. Various Medical Conditions 

If you have chronic tiredness that you cannot explain, you need to talk to your primary care physician about the symptoms you are experiencing, so you should arrange an appointment with them and discuss what you are going through.

tired all the time

tired all the time

It is often recommended that you undergo testing to rule out the possibility of health conditions that cause fatigue, such as sleep apnea, hypothyroidism, cancer, chronic fatigue syndrome, multiple sclerosis, anxiety disorders, kidney disease, depression, diabetes, and fibromyalgia. The United States has one of the highest prevalence rates for sleep apnea in the world, and this sleeping disorder that is known as sleep apnea is one of the most common disorders in the country.

You must be aware of the fact that it is abnormal for someone to have emotions of weariness continuously. If you notice that you are always weary, there is a significant likelihood that more than one factor contributes to this state.

If you have an underlying medical condition, receiving the appropriate treatment for that illness can help you feel better and improve your overall health in other ways as well. If you want to learn more about how receiving the appropriate treatment for your illness can help improve your overall health, read on.

Summary

The feeling of fatigue can be attributed to a variety of health conditions, including but not necessarily limited to the following. You may feel as if you are constantly tired. For the appropriate diagnostic tests to be conducted, you need to schedule an appointment as soon as possible with your primary care physician.

5. Dietary Imbalances 

tired all the time

tired all the time

The kinds of foods that you consume have a significant bearing on the way that you experience your emotions.

Consuming a healthy diet that is high in nutrient-dense foods and foods that are abundant in vitamins and minerals is essential if you want to maintain your energy levels and feel well throughout the day and guarantee that your body has access to the nutrients it requires to carry out the essential processes it needs to.

You run the danger of having calorie and nutritional shortages, both of which can lead to feelings of fatigue if you don't eat enough or if you eat meals that have been too processed and don't have many of the essential elements.

If you do not ingest enough calories and nutrients, such as protein, your body will start to break down fat and muscle to satisfy its energy demand. That occurs when you do not consume enough food, which results in a loss of body fat and muscle mass, which may result in feelings of weariness for the individual.

The elderly are at a heightened risk of suffering from malnutrition and vitamin deficiencies due to several risk factors, including age-related shifts in appetite and age-related reductions in physical activity.

Diets high in ultra-processed foods also contribute to low energy levels, as these diets are the norm in modern society. For instance, a diet high in added sugar may make it difficult to fall asleep or stay asleep. Such a diet may also lead to continuously high blood sugar and insulin levels, producing fatigue.

tired all the time

tired all the time

The study demonstrated that a high glycemic load diet, which consists of whole grains and legumes but low in sugar, showed 38% higher scores for depression symptoms and fatigue, respectively, as compared to a low glycemic load diet, which consists of whole grains and legumes but not high in sugar. You compared this to a diet high in whole grains and legumes but low in added sugar. 82 individuals were counted as having taken part in the study in its entirety, and you conducted the research over 28 days.

A study that involved more than 53,000 postmenopausal women found that diets high in added sugars and refined grains were related to a greater risk of insomnia. In contrast, diets high in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains were linked with a lower risk of insomnia. The study found that diets high in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains were associated with a lower risk of insomnia.

A diet is low in ultra-processed foods and added sugars but high in nutrient-dense foods such as fruits, vegetables, legumes, and protein sources. Fish and eggs may help reduce weariness and support sound sleep while providing the body with appropriate nutrients.

Summary

Your energy levels may suffer if you consume a diet heavy in ultra-processed foods. Moving to a diet high in nutritional density and rich in whole, nourishing foods like fruits, vegetables, and legumes may help minimize weariness.

6. The Consumption Of Too Much Caffeine

tired all the time

tired all the time

If you consume excessive coffee or any other caffeinated beverage, like energy drinks, you may notice an increase in your energy levels for a short period. However, if you consume an excessive amount of these beverages, you may find that you are more exhausted the following day. That is because consuming an excessive amount of caffeine can make it harder to fall asleep or remain asleep, which can, in turn, lead to feelings of tiredness.

A study found that people who wake up feeling exhausted are more likely to consume excessive amounts of coffee, disrupting the natural rhythm of sleep. People who wake up tired are also more likely to feel fatigued during the day, and people who wake up weary are more likely to feel nervous during the day. That correlation remains even when other factors are taken into account and controlled for. It is possible that as a result of this, you will find yourself drinking excessive amounts of coffee or other beverages containing caffeine for the purpose of gaining energy. That will only continue the cycle of getting insufficient sleep, followed by consuming excessive amounts of caffeine.
Excessive caffeine consumption has been associated with an increase in nocturnal worrying, an inability to fall asleep or remain asleep, an increase in nocturnal awakenings, a reduction in total sleep time, and daytime fatigue.

In a study with 462 female participants, there was an association found between drinking caffeinated beverages and energy drinks rich in calories, having a lower quality of sleep, and experiencing sleep disruption. That was the case even when controlling for other factors. The research investigated how these two components are connected. People who did not consume any of these beverages reported having a better night's sleep as a direct result of their decision to make this change in their drinking habits.

tired all the time

tired all the time

On the other hand, tolerance to caffeine varies from person to person, and some people are more sensitive than others to the influence caffeine has on their ability to sleep than others.

Moderate consumption of coffee and other liquids containing caffeine can be beneficial, such as green tea, may positively impact one's health; on the other hand, energy drinks contain an exceptionally high concentration of stimulants in addition to added sugar. Coffee and various other liquids that contain caffeine, such as green tea, may also positively impact one's health when consumed in moderation. Drinking green tea, so long as one does it in moderation, may also benefit one's health. As a consequence, you should stay away from them whenever you can and try to avoid coming into contact with them whenever you can.

Suppose you are currently having trouble sleeping and drinking caffeinated beverages regularly. In that case, you should conduct some experiments to reduce the amount of caffeine you consume to determine whether or not this would improve your sleep and energy levels. If you find that this does help improve your sleep and energy levels, you should continue doing so.

Summary

Consuming an excessive quantity of beverages containing caffeine may cause you to experience a disruption in your usual sleep pattern, which may, in turn, cause you to feel tired throughout the day. That may be the case if you consume an excessive amount of these beverages. As a direct result of this, limiting the amount of caffeine you consume on a daily basis may provide some support in restoring your sleep and energy levels.

7. Inadequate Hydration

tired all the time

tired all the time

To prevent their energy levels from declining, one must maintain proper hydration levels at all times. Because of the myriad of metabolic activities that take place regularly in your body, you will experience a loss of water that will need to be made up for. If you consume adequate water, you can avoid this water loss. These water losses will require compensation in some form or another.

You will get dehydrated when you do not drink enough liquid to replenish the lost water through your urine, feces, sweat, and breath. Dehydration can also develop when you do not sweat enough. That might occur if you are pregnant, injured, or sick in any other way. That may happen if you are not feeling well, have been injured, or are overburdened with work. According to several research findings, dehydration is associated with lower levels of energy and a lowered ability to concentrate on tasks.

Dehydration influences your entire body, including the cycles during which you sleep, which can lead to interruptions in your sleep. Dehydration affects the processes during which you sleep.

In a study involving over 26,000 adults from the United States and China, researchers established a connection between low hydration levels and decreased sleep time. The participants in the study came from both countries.

During exercise, dehydration can make you feel more fatigued and significantly impact your ability to exercise for extended periods. Keeping yourself well-hydrated is essential to maximizing your performance. Consuming an adequate amount of water before, during, and after physical activity can prevent these effects.

tired all the time

tired all the time

Although you may have heard that you should drink eight glasses of water each day, each containing eight ounces (240 milliliters) of water, your actual hydration needs are determined by several factors. Including your weight, age, sex, and the amount of physical activity you engage in. Your real hydration needs are determined by a number of factors, including your weight, age, and sex. Your hydration requirements are determined mainly by combining all these different factors.

Consuming sufficient amounts of water throughout the day to ensure that you are adequately hydrated is the most important thing you can do for yourself. Increased thirst, weariness, dizziness, and headaches are some of the signs and symptoms of dehydration observed most frequently.

Summary

Even slight dehydration can hurt one's levels of energy and alertness. Therefore it's crucial to stay hydrated. You may guarantee that you get the appropriate quantity of fluids to replenish what you lose throughout the day by drinking lots of water, allowing you to stay hydrated.

8. Overweight Or Obesity 

A person's ability to keep their weight within a range that is deemed to be normal and healthy is the single most important thing they can do to protect their overall health. This range is called the healthy weight range.

tired all the time

tired all the time

Obesity is strongly associated with a more significant risk of several chronic illnesses, including type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and some malignancies; it may also increase your risk of experiencing chronic fatigue. These associations have been established through extensive research, and the research findings have led to establishment of these relationships.

Persons who are obese have a far greater risk of getting obstructive sleep apnea than people of normal body weight. Obstructive sleep apnea is one of the most common causes of excessive daytime drowsiness. Normal-weight people have a much lower risk. Underweight people have a decreased risk of acquiring obstructive sleep apnea. The fact that it is not linked to sleep apnea but is linked to increased daytime sleepiness demonstrates that fat directly affects the sleep cycle. In addition, this connection is genuine, even though having sleep apnea is associated with being overweight or obese.

People who are obese get a higher risk of getting disorders associated to exhaustion, including heart disease and diabetes, such as depression and type 2 diabetes. This risk increases because fatigue is a symptom of depression and type 2 diabetes. Because fatigue is a symptom of both depression and types two diabetes, the likelihood of developing either condition is enhanced.

In addition, both excessive weight gain and obesity have been connected to poor quality of sleep and a quantity of sleep that falls short of the required amount. That is because people who don't get enough sleep tend to have trouble falling asleep and staying asleep.

tired all the time

tired all the time

Healthy body weight may support sound sleep and energy levels, while having enough high-quality sleep may help avoid weight gain and minimize fatigue. Having a healthy body weight may help support excellent sleep and energy levels. Maintaining a weight ideal for your height and frame can assist support quality sleep and groups of energy.

Summary

A poor quality of sleep has been linked to increased risk of obesity, which has been linked to poor sleep quality. The quality of one's sleep has been linked to conditions related to fatigue, such as obstructive sleep apnea, amongst other things.

9–12. Other Causes Of Fatigue

There is a wide variety of medical disorders, each of which can induce feelings of exhaustion in a person. It is of the most significant essential that you have a good knowledge of the multiple causes that could be responsible for your weariness. That is because it is of the utmost importance that you understand these causes well.

tired all the time

tired all the time

The following is a summary of the more typical causes that could be contributing to the symptoms of weariness that you are experiencing:

9. Dependence on other medications and alcoholic beverages According to the findings of several pieces of research, individuals who are physically dependent on substances like alcohol or opioids, such as heroin or cocaine, are more likely to experience sensations of weariness. That is a conclusion you can draw from the findings of the studies.

10. Work conducted in shifts rather than continuously. People who work rotating shifts frequently report feeling weary due to the significant interruptions in their sleep that the schedule generates. That is because the plan forces them to sleep at different times each night. A sleep disorder known as shift work sleep disorder is defined by excessive daytime drowsiness or disrupted sleep over one month or longer. The symptoms of this form of sleep disturbance might be present alone or in combination. There is a sort of sleep disturbance that affects anywhere between 2 and 5 percent of all shift workers, according to figures that have been supplied by experts in the field of sleep medicine.

11. A way of life that does not include significant physical activity. If you lead a sedentary lifestyle, you may find that you are experiencing feelings of weariness throughout the day. That is not entirely out of the question. Increasing one's activity level may help alleviate the signs and symptoms of exhaustion in certain people, particularly those who suffer from medical disorders such as multiple sclerosis, as suggested by several studies. That is particularly the case in individuals already at a low activity level (MS).

tired all the time

tired all the time

12. Specific pharmaceuticals in their complete forms. Several medications, such as anabolic steroids, antidepressants, and medicines used to treat high blood pressure, have been associated with unfavorable side effects, including an inability to sleep and an increase in fatigue. Two of the most common unwanted side effects are listed below.

Help For Drug Or Alcohol Dependence

Dial 1-800-662-HELP to speak with an advisor at the National Helpline of the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA).

You must collaborate with a reliable physician who can assist you in determining what is causing your exhaustion because it may be challenging, if not impossible, to discover the cause(s) of your tiredness on your own. That is why you must collaborate with a physician. Because of this, it is of the utmost significance that you seek medical attention as quickly as possible. They will indeed be able to walk you through the process of locating the source of the issue and will provide options for a variety of viable ways to fix it. In addition to this, they will also be able to respond to any queries that you might have.

Summary

A range of factors, such as performing shift work, having a sedentary lifestyle, taking certain medications, being addicted to substances such as alcohol or narcotics, and engaging in living behaviors that require being sedentary, can all result in weariness.

The Bottom Line

tired all the time

tired all the time

It is not normal to feel run down and weary regularly, even if everyone does experience exhaustion from time to time. Even though everyone does experience exhaustion from time to time, it is not customary to feel run down and fatigued regularly.

Persistent fatigue can be caused by various circumstances, including but not limited to underlying medical issues, dietary inadequacies, difficulties sleeping, consumption of caffeine, and chronic stress.

It is absolutely necessary that you schedule an appointment with your primary care physician as soon as possible in order to get to the bottom of any unexplained fatigue that you may be grappling with. That will allow you to get to the bottom of the problem.

If you have identified the underlying cause or causes of your exhaustion, made the necessary adjustments to your lifestyle and diet, or received the appropriate treatment for medical illnesses, you should. In the vast majority of cases, notice an improvement in the degree to which you are exhausted. If you have identified the underlying cause or causes of your exhaustion and Providing that you have implemented the necessary adjustments to your diet and way of life, you might also see an improvement in your condition.

To Be Completely Clear On One Point Precisely

Attempt to get this done today: As soon as I saw that I was getting incredibly sleepy during the day, I suspected something wasn't quite right. It is highly recommended that you devote some of your time and energy to finishing this task today. I was unable to escape the feeling that there was very wrong with me, and I couldn't figure out what it was. After several months during which I saw several specialists for various tests and consultations, I was ultimately given the diagnosis of Hashimoto's disease.

tired all the time

tired all the time

You are the person who is the most at ease in your own body, and as a result, you are the one who is able to identify when something is off about how things are going with your physical self. Even if you are getting the amount of sleep recommended for you each night, if you still feel tired regularly, there may be a medical condition contributing to your increased level of weariness. If you feel tired on a regular basis, there is a possibility that there is a medical condition that is contributing to your increased level of fatigue.

Collaborate with a physician in whom you have complete faith to acquire the required diagnostic testing to eliminate the potential that your weariness is being caused by one of the numerous prevalent health issues. With this information, you will be able to determine whether or not one of these conditions is the root cause of your fatigue, even though it's normal for people to feel tired all the time.

Frequently Asked Questions

Being constantly tired can be a sign of what?

Medical causes of unrelenting exhaustion may indicate an underlying illness, such as a thyroid disorder, heart disease, or diabetes. Lifestyle-related causes of alcohol or drugs or lack of regular exercise can lead to feelings of fatigue. Workplace-related causes of workplace stress can lead to feelings of fatigue.

How do tiredness and fatigue arise from a deficiency?

You may be deficient in vitamins or minerals. A low iron level, vitamin D deficiency, or B12 deficiency may cause fatigue, anxiety, and weakness. It is believed that a large percentage of Americans are vitamin D deficient.

Is fatigue something to be concerned about?

If your fatigue persists despite your efforts to rest, reduce stress, eat a healthy diet and drink plenty of water, make an appointment with your doctor.