Some Surprising Reasons Why You Might Be Tired All The Time–Hint: It’s Probably Not Due To Over-Exercise
It’s an interesting phenomenon around the world: productivity increases are touted on all the business news programs, meaning that workers from fast food restaurants to factories on up to the loftiest office suites are doing their jobs more efficiently than ever before.
Yet somehow people are working longer hours than ever before as well. And the first casualties in the war against time is of course the worker. Increasingly it is not just our bodies but our minds as well that are proving to be not as resilient when it comes to sleep deprivation and overwork. In fact some studies show that tired driving can be just as dangerous as drunk driving.
We can’t help you with your boss asking you to come in on Saturday to finish a project. However there are some common reasons why you might more tired than usual, some of which have easy fixes. Here are a four of them.
• Get up, stand up – And not for the reason you think. We all skip a workout here and there if we’re feeling particularly run down. However, studies are showing that exercise actually contributes to our energy. One University of Georgia study looked at a group of sedentary adults who were put on a light exercise program of just 20 minutes three times a week. After just six weeks time they reported feeling less fatigued and more energized throughout the day. By helping your cardiovascular system run more efficiently, regular exercise can help deliver more oxygen and nutrients to where your body needs it, thus reducing fatigue.
• Water, water everywhere – Most people just don’t drink enough water. A deficit of even 2 percent of normal fluid levels can have an effect on energy. Because dehydration causes a reduction in blood volume, your blood is literally thicker, and this requires your heart to work harder to pump it through your body.
• The Iron Law – Iron deficiency is a common problem, especially for women. It can make you fatigued, sluggish, irritable, weak and unfocused, due to the fact that it prevents as much oxygen from traveling to your cells as necessary. An iron supplement is fine, but some natural ways to get your daily dose is through lean beef, kidney beans, tofu, eggs, nuts, and dark green leafy vegetables. Also keep in mind that vitamin C helps with iron absorption. (Be aware that an iron deficiency can indicate serious underlying health problems, so consult a doctor if you suspect you have one.)
• Junk food junkie – Speaking of food, if you find yourself eating processed, sugar-laden foods that are made up of mostly simple carbs, you are likely experiencing glycemic crashes that cause you to feel fatigued. Food high in the glycemic index cause your blood sugar to spike, which is followed by the inevitable crash. You can avoid this by replacing refined carb foods with whole grains and foods higher in protein–have a handful of almonds instead of fries or potato chips and you will feel full for much longer, plus you won’t feel like you need a nap 30 minutes later