Why feel sleepy all the time

Drinking too much interferes with the quality of your sleep. Stick to the guidelines of no more than 14 units a week for both men and women. Read more about tips on cutting down on alcohol.

Read more about the benefits of exercise. Too much of this stimulant, found in tea, coffee, colas and energy drinks, can upset sleep and make you feel wound-up as well as tired.

Night workers often find they get tired more easily. This is more likely if the timing of the shifts keeps changing. If you're tired, you may nap during the day, which can make it more difficult to get a good night's sleep.

Read how to change your lifestyle habits to boost your energy, with the energy 'diet'. Page last reviewed: 25 March Next review due: 25 March Sleep and tiredness Secondary navigation Tiredness and fatigue The energy diet Why lack of sleep is bad for your health 10 medical reasons for feeling tired Self-help tips to fight tiredness 5 ways to wipe out winter tiredness.

Enezi, A. Symptoms of daytime sleepiness and sleep apnea in liver cirrhosis patients. Annals of Hepatology, 16 4 , — Enz, C. Predictors of increased daytime sleepiness in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: A cross-sectional study. Sleep Disorders, , Inkster, B. Association between excessive daytime sleepiness and severe hypoglycemia in people with type 2 diabetes: The Edinburgh type 2 diabetes study. Diabetes Care, 36 12 , — Riegel, B.

Determinants of excessive daytime sleepiness and fatigue in adults with heart failure. Clinical Nursing Research, 21 3 , — Kakumanu, S. Poor sleep and daytime somnolence in allergic rhinitis: Significance of nasal congestion. Learn more about Excessive Sleepiness. Causes By Danielle Pacheco February 17, Treatment By Alexa Fry February 10, Diagnosis By Eric Suni February 8, Related Reading Excessive Sleepiness.

Other Articles of Interest Sleep Solutions. There's no better time to start the journey to improving your sleep. Get helpful tips, expert information, videos, and more delivered to your inbox.

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We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. Image courtesy: Shutterstock You are starving yourself If you are skipping your meals and starving, then you are bound to feel sleepy all the time. You are not hydrating your body enough If your body is hydrated, then it helps you maintain the energy levels of your body.

A study published in the The British Journal of Nutrition suggests that a little dehydration can drop the energy levels, and even have an impact on the cognitive health of a person. You are eating too much refined food Refined foods are loaded with carbs and sugar, which acts as an instant source of energy.

A study published in the International Journal of Environment Research and Public Health suggests that stress brings down the number of hours you sleep, which affects your productivity the very next day. Six-pack abs are all that Nikita needs, along with her daily dose of green tea. At Health Shots, she produces videos, podcasts, stories, and other kick-ass content. So, sign in RN to get your daily dose of wellness. One study in older people found that exercising helped improve their sleep quality and reduce levels of fatigue Furthermore, napping may help boost energy levels.

Taking naps has been shown to decrease tiredness in pilots, who often experience fatigue due to long working hours and jet lag To improve the amount and quality of your sleep, go to bed at roughly the same time every night, relax before sleeping and get plenty of activity during the day.

However, if you find it difficult to fall or stay asleep and suspect you may have a sleeping disorder, speak to your doctor about having your sleep evaluated by a specialist. Inadequate or poor-quality sleep is a common cause of fatigue. Getting several hours of uninterrupted sleep allows your body and brain to recharge, allowing you to feel energized during the day. Food sensitivities or intolerances typically cause symptoms like rashes, digestive problems, runny nose or headaches.

Also, research suggests that quality of life may be more affected by fatigue in those with food sensitivities Common food intolerances include gluten , dairy, eggs, soy and corn. If you suspect that certain foods may be making you tired, consider working with an allergist or dietitian who can test you for food sensitivities or prescribe an elimination diet to determine which foods are problematic.

Food intolerances can cause fatigue or low energy levels. Following a food elimination diet may help determine which foods you are sensitive to. Calories are units of energy found in food. Your body uses them to move and fuel processes like breathing and maintaining a constant body temperature. When you eat too few calories, your metabolism slows down in order to conserve energy, potentially causing fatigue. Your body can function within a range of calories depending on your weight, height, age and other factors.

However, most people require a minimum of 1, calories per day to prevent a metabolic slowdown. Experts on aging believe that although metabolism decreases with age, older people may need to eat at the top of their calorie range in order to perform normal functions without becoming fatigued Not getting enough vitamin D, iron and other important nutrients can also lead to fatigue.

In order to keep your energy levels up, avoid drastic cuts in calorie intake, even if your goal is weight loss. You can calculate your calorie needs using the calorie calculator in this article. Your body requires a minimum number of calories in order to perform daily functions.

Consuming too few calories can lead to fatigue and make it difficult to meet nutrient needs. Research has found that when your sleep pattern is out of sync with your circadian rhythm, chronic fatigue may develop In one study, healthy young men were allowed to sleep either seven hours or just under five hours before being kept awake for 21—23 hours.

Their fatigue ratings increased before and after sleep, regardless of the number of hours they slept However, if your job involves shift work, there are strategies to retrain your body clock, which should improve your energy levels. In one study, shift workers reported significantly less fatigue and better mood after being exposed to bright light pulses, wearing dark sunglasses outside and sleeping in total darkness Using glasses to block blue light may also help people who perform shift work.

Try to sleep at night or retrain your body clock. Inadequate protein intake could be contributing to your fatigue.