Not getting enough sleep and skipping breakfast may not be the only reasons you feel like a zombie all of the time. You may have adopted certain habits or lifestyle choices that could be causing your fatigue. There are eight reasons in particular you might spend your day in a mental haze that simply won’t lift.
1. Lack of B12
Blood cells are made with B12 and when you don’t have enough your blood doesn’t get the oxygen it needs to flow properly through your body. Something to keep in mind is that B12 only comes from animal foods, so if you don’t eat meat, you’ll need to get the vitamin through a supplement.
2. Dehydration
Reach for a bottle of water in between energy drinks or cups of coffee. Being dehydrated by as little as two percent can cause your energy engine to stall and make you feel as fickle as a cat. Rather than drink eight glasses a day, gauge your need based on the weather and your workout intensity. Energy tablets can also offer a boost of energy without the dehydrating effects of caffeinated beverages.
3. Stress
If you spend all of your time and energy stressing, then you won’t have much energy left over for everything else in your life. More stress equals more of the stress hormone known as cortisol in your system, which can keep you up at night. Try managing your stress with breathing exercising.
4. Unbalanced Iron Levels
Having too much iron can tax your body as it attempts to scrub the excess iron from your system just as having too little iron can lead to stagnant blood flow. If you’re a vegetarian, have a digestive disease or a thyroid problem, you’re more likely to have low iron levels. If you’re taking supplements, you may have too much iron in your system.
5. Heart Disease
Your fatigue and inability to sleep could be an indication of heart disease. Make an appointment with your doctor if you feel tired walking up steps or exercising.
6. Lack of Exercise
Working through your stress with a workout is one of the best things you can do for yourself. Aim for at least 20 minutes of exercise three times a week.
7. Urinary Tract Infection
Feeling tired all of the time could be your body’s way of helping you recover from a urinary tract infection. If you’ve had a UTI before, then you may be familiar with the symptoms. If you haven’t, then make an appointment with your doctor to get an accurate diagnosis.
8. Too Much Exercise
Too much of a good thing can do more harm than good. Too much exercise can push your body past its limits, forcing you to feel more fatigued as your body attempts to recover. Take a few days off if you’ve been pushing yourself through your workouts and see if that helps.
Pay attention to your body to understand the true reason behind your fatigue and don’t rule out any possibility.
