According to a recent study, nearly 40 percent of Americans suffer from symptoms of chronic fatigue, and women across the country have named fatigue among their top health concerns.
A growing number of women are reporting:
- Tiredness not relieved by sleep.
- Difficulty sleeping, even though they’re exhausted.
- Poor concentration, memory loss and depression.
As time goes on, fatigue and exhaustion become a nightmare.
But thankfully, it doesn’t have to be like this. Science says we have the power to turn it around, but first we have to get to the root of the problem.
5 Reasons You May Be Exhausted
The following are some of the most common reasons you may be feeling so exhausted, stressed, and even overwhelmed:
#1 - Lack of Sleep
There's no getting around it. YOU NEED SLEEP, no matter how tough and invincible you've thought you are. According to the National Sleep Foundation, the average adult needs between 7-9 hours of sleep.
When you don’t get enough sleep, it is quite common for your hormone levels to get out of whack. This can affect everything from your thyroid, immune system, heart, weight and libido.
Basically, lack of sleep is not your friend. Here's a great read about sleep you may want to consider. Arianna Huffington dives into the topic and reveals strategies for structuring your life differently for better, healthier sleep patterns.
#2 - Poor Diet
If you’re not getting the right nutrients or overeating, tiredness is hard to escape. Low levels of Iron, Vitamin D and B Vitamins can leave you feeling depleted. Additionally, eating a diet high in simple carbohydrates, like cakes and donuts, can leave you feeling exhausted.
You may also want to consider how you're eating. This article on mindful eating is an important one if you want to live life with gratitude and pure intention.
#3 - Lack of Exercise
Moving your body is SUPER important. According to the Mayo Clinic, the average adult should get 20-30 minutes of moderate exercise per day.
But here’s the deal — being inspired to workout hinges on your ability to get enough sleep and eat the right foods. It all goes hand-in-hand.
When you wake up ready to roll after sleeping well, you tend to gravitate toward healthier, more balanced meals, which provides you the energy you need to get your body moving.
#4 - A Thyroid Disorder and/or Hormone Issues
Fatigue and severe exhaustion have been scientifically linked to undiagnosed or insufficiently treated thyroid conditions. Both hyperthyroidism (an overactive thyroid) and hypothyroidism (under-active thyroid) can lead to sluggishness.
If your thyroid isn't working well, you may want to consider looking into supplementing your diet with Ashwagandha. A promising 8-week study of 50 people with hypothyroidism found that taking 600mg of ashwagandha root extract daily led to significant improvements in thyroid levels.
Also, exhaustion can definitely be tied to your hormone levels being off. The only way you can really fully know is to have your hormone levels checked by your doctor.
Once you know for sure, you can adjust your supplementation effort, diet, and other habits to help turn things around.
#5 - Stress, Worry & Depression
If you’re overstressed, worried or depressed, you can expect to be fatigued. According to the Mayo Clinic, chronic stress can lead to everything from sleeplessness to headaches, depression, and burnout.
To overcome these challenges, it's so vital that you find time for yourself. Self-care is a must for all of us. If you need some inspiration in this area, you should definitely give my article on self-care a read.
Establishing a prayer and/or meditation practice is also an important strategy for finding balance. Also, it's vital that you know you're not alone. We're all here to support each other. If you need support, make sure that you reach out to friends and family members and share what you're going through.
No body is perfect! The more we all embrace this fact, the better choices we can all make as a community.
Last Words
If you're feeling exhausted, the key is to take a first step.
Analyze what areas of your life are leading to your exhaustion, make a list of simple steps you can take to get on track, and then stick with it. It may not be easy at first, but the more momentum you gain, the easier it will become.
Also, make sure to consult your doctor if your energy levels don't improve. Sometimes we need a bit of help to gain energy, and that's perfectly okay. There isn't a one-size-fits all solution for everyone.
Have a story about how you overcame exhaustion? I'd love to hear and potentially share with readers. Send your stories to editor@luvey.com, and I'll get back to you ASAP.
