From lifestyle choices and habits to underlying health conditions there are plenty of possible reasons why you feel tired all the time. Therefore, if you are among the 70% of Americans who struggle to get enough sleep – for at least one night a month – and feel tired the day afterward, continue reading this article to find out about the potential causes of your problem.

Lifestyle Factors

Not Exercising Enough

Exercise may indeed cause exhaustion, but not exercising enough can also lead to tiredness as regular workouts increase energy levels. All you need is a 20-minute moderate exercise session daily or at least five days a week.

Excessive Screen Time

If you are spending lots of time glued to your phone, tablet, laptop, or any other electronic gadget that emits blue light, especially later in the day, the chances that you face trouble falling asleep at night and feel tired the next day are pretty high.

Old Pillow or Mattress

Getting enough rest remarkably depends on the pillow and mattress you sleep on. Indeed, your pillow shouldn’t be more than two years old. Similarly, your mattress shouldn’t be decades old. Hence, if you can’t remember when you bought them, consider buying new ones.

Vitamin Deficiency

Sometimes, a lack of vitamin D or vitamin B12 can make your muscles feel fatigued and in severe cases even experience tingling or numbness in your limbs. That said, ensure your diet is packed with eggs, dairy products, tuna, and fortified foods.

Alcohol or Caffeine Consumption

Although a glass of alcohol can help you doze off, drinking too much alcohol can set you up for a night of restless sleep as it disrupts the restorative stages of sleep. Similarly, drinking caffeinated beverages late in the day can impede your ability to fall and stay asleep.

Health Conditions

Sleep Apnea

One of the most common sleep disorders people suffer from is called sleep apnea. It is characterized by frequent breathing interruptions during sleep causing you to wake up and thus make you feel tired throughout the day.

Insomnia

Insomnia is also a sleep disorder that makes falling asleep and getting back to sleep after waking up extremely difficult. It is characterized by extreme daytime sleepiness and concentration issues, as well as an increased risk of depression.

Narcolepsy

Here’s yet another sleeping disorder – narcolepsy. Even though it is not that common, there’s still a possibility that the condition impedes your sleep. The condition affects your sleep-wake control and causes excessive daytime sleepiness.

Seasonal Allergies

Suffering from seasonal allergies means that you are constantly fighting against wheezing, coughing, and a runny nose which can be pretty exhausting and impede your productivity as your immune system such all of your energy to combat those allergens.

Depression and Anxiety

Your mental health can severely impact your sleep and energy levels. In fact, if you suffer from depression, you have double the chances to experience fatigue compared to those who don’t. Also, if you have persistent clinical anxiety, it can lead to prolonged fatigue.

Autoimmune Diseases

Finally, the answer to your constant tiredness may be an underlying autoimmune disease – a condition in which the immune system attacks your body. Some of these possible conditions include, but are not limited to type 1 diabetes, lupus, arthritis, psoriasis, multiple sclerosis, and celiac disease.

The bottom line, persistent tiredness is certainly an issue you should address promptly as there are numerous reasons for it, some of which may be serious. Hence, if you feel tired all the time, ensure you consult your doctor.