Three Surprising Reasons You’re Always Tired

No matter what you aim to do in life—whether it’s starting a business, writing a book, or completing a marathon—the process is a journey and you’ll need energy to complete it. The problem, however, is that many of us barely have enough energy to satisfy our day-to-day responsibilities, let alone tackle the gargantuan tasks that we’re truly passionate about. Obviously, pulling an all-nighter to meet a work deadline or taking care of a newborn that sleeps no longer than three hours at a time will tax anyone’s energy reserves, but there’s a bigger problem when we’re logging the recommended hours of sleep at night and still waking up tired and dragging though the day—with a can of Red Bull in tow. There’s an entire industry, in fact, that has sprung up to pump us full of artificial, lest we should fall asleep during the 2:00 pm conference call. But there’s actually a better way to feel energized and ready to take on the world. Once you determine the root cause of your fatigue, treating it naturally will provide long-term results. Here are three common, energy-stealing culprits: Poor diet   While you can totally eliminate certain bad habits that get in the way of personal progress—like smoking or watching too much TV—eating is one of those things that you can never stop doing completely. And because of that, it is incredibly important to be mindful of the things that you put into your mouth. This isn’t about losing weight, either. As it turns out, everything you eat has a profound effect on your energy level. Processed sugar and refined carbohydrates are some of the most common dietary culprits that lead to fatigue and, surprisingly, they are also the foods that people typically crave when they’re feeling sleepy—just think about your daily afternoon run to the vending machine! These foods send your blood sugar on a never-ending roller coaster, while also causing mood swings hormonal shifts and cravings for more of the same junk. The best remedy is a healthy diet of whole, nutrient-rich foods, including healthy fats, lean proteins and lots of fresh produce.   Lack of exercise   This one goes along with eating well and should not be overlooked—even if you don’t have a few (or a few dozen) pounds to lose. Many of us are extremely busy on a daily basis, and we’re either planted at our desks or in our cars on the way to our next appointment. The problem with this is that our bodies were created to engage in regular activity, and studies show that people who are active have less fatigue than those who lead sedentary lifestyles. And aside from balancing hormones and releasing endorphins that boost mood, exercise also makes for a better night’s sleep. A 2005 study conducted at the University of South Carolina found that by effectively depleting energy stores, stimulating tissue breakdown and raising body temperature, “exercise could be a healthy, safe, inexpensive and simple means of improving sleep.” Adrenal fatigue   If you’re eating right, staying active and getting enough sleep every night, yet you’re still running on empty during the day, that may be a sign that there’s a bigger problem at hand. Adrenal fatigue is caused when the adrenal glands, the small glands that production of numerous hormones in the body, including cortisol and adrenaline, fail to function properly. The condition can be caused by mental or emotional stress (both from isolated incidents and ongoing stressful situations), as well as physical stress (from serious illness, drug or alcohol abuse or toxic overload). Adrenal fatigue is estimated to affect as much as 80% of the population, and the most common symptoms are fatigue that doesn’t abate even after a good night’s sleep, a tendency to get sick easily due to a weakened immune system, irritability and low blood sugar. The bright side is that adrenal fatigue can be healed naturally with proper diet and supplements. Dr. Josh Axe, a chiropractor and doctor of natural medicine, recommends avoiding caffeine, sweets and processed foods, while loading up on superfoods like avocado, wild salmon and chia seeds. Additionally, nutrients like magnesium, fish oil and the adaptogenic herb ashwagandha can help the adrenals begin to self-heal and regulate the body’s hormones more effectively.