So, you woke up today dragging. You peeled yourself from the sheets, put one foot in front of the other, and headed straight to the coffee pot. This scenario is all too familiar to many of us- sometimes we just don’t get a good night’s rest or we feel spent after an eventful day. While it’s easy to dismiss feeling sluggish and tired, chalking it up to our busy schedules or lack of sleep, it’s important to recognize when these symptoms occur frequently.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recently reported that 16% of women (ages 45-64) described feeling “wiped out” in the 3 months prior to the survey. When a tired day here or there becomes the new normal for anyone, it’s time to consider that it might be leading to chronic fatigue. Allowing a pattern of poor sleep quality and/or an overloaded schedule to continue can have negative effects on so many aspects of our lives. To name a few, our physical health, careers, personal relationships, sex lives and mental wellness all suffer. Fatigue can lead to depression, weight gain, a compromised immune response and many more things that disrupt the harmony in our lives. So, where does one start when addressing that weary state of discord? Here are some pointers that can help.
First things first- evaluate your situation. Ask yourself whether it’s the amount of sleep you’re getting or the quality of sleep and what you can do to improve it.
- Aim for 7 to 9 hours each night - and make it a priority!
- Ditch your tech devices or anything that emits light as that can contribute to poor sleep quality
- Make time to unplug, chill out and unwind
- Rethink that nightcap. Many believe an adult beverage before bedtime helps them sleep, but in reality, alcohol can disrupt our sleep
- Get physical! Studies have shown that people who are physically active and exercise regularly generally have a better night’s sleep
- Assess your eating habits. Some evidence suggests that a high-fat or a high-protein diet can impair sleep schedules
If you’re on point with your lifestyle and habits, then it might be time to consult your physician. There are certain medications and health conditions that might be contributing to those feelings of fatigue. When our patients express they’re chronically tired, Dr. Brady can then ask the appropriate questions, review the patient’s current medications, and if need be, run the proper tests to decipher the root of the problem. If you’re tired of feeling tired and need some help, contact us, and we’ll help get you on your way to wellness!