When we feel tired despite having slept well, there could be some other underlying reasons, including:
- Stress or anxiety
- Hormonal imbalances and underlying health conditions
- Nutritional deficiencies
- Lack of physical activity
- Other lifestyle factors
Stress and anxiety
Stress and anxiety can have a significant impact on our energy levels. When we have consistently high levels of stress, our quality of sleep can be affected. It can be harder to fall asleep, or stay asleep throughout the night, we can be more restless in our sleep. Some people can even develop insomnia.
Anxiety often causes physical symptoms like muscle tension, headaches, or jaw clenching. This prolonged physical strain can leave us feeling worn out. Anxiety can cause us to ruminate or repeatedly think about the same concerns or problems which causes mental strain that consumes a lot of energy, leaving us feeling mentally exhausted.
Chronic stress can weaken our immune systems, making our bodies more susceptible to illness which can increase our overall fatigue.
Hormonal imbalances and underlying health conditions
The fight or flight response triggers the release of hormones, which prepare our bodies to respond to perceived threats. Prolonged stress can disrupt the normal rhythm of our stress hormone, cortisol. While cortisol provides energy in short bursts, chronic stress leads to abnormal cortisol levels, which can make us feel fatigued, especially in the afternoon or evening.
Thyroid conditions, diabetes, obesity chronic fatigue syndrome, or auto-immune conditions can also contribute to persistent tiredness.
Nutritional deficiencies
Our bodies rely on certain vitamins, minerals, and nutrients to produce energy, maintain proper metabolic function, and support our overall health. It stands to reason then that if we don’t have enough of these nutrients, we could experience symptoms of fatigue.
Some of the key nutrients that can cause tiredness if deficient include iron, vitamin D, and vitamin B12, folate, magnesium, potassium, carbohydrates and protein.
Iron is essential for producing hemoglobin, a protein in our red blood cells that carry oxygen throughout our bodies. Without enough iron, our muscles and tissues receive less oxygen, making us feel weak, tired, and short of breath. Anemia is often a cause of chronic fatigue.
Vitamin D helps to regulate the absorption of calcium and phosphorus, supports the immune system, and is linked to mood regulation. Low levels of vitamin D can result in fatigue, muscle weakness, and low energy, particularly in people who have limited sun exposure or do not consume enough fortified foods.
Vitamin B12 is crucial for red blood cell production and nerve function. A deficiency in B12 can lead to anemia, weakness, and fatigue. A vitamin B12 deficiency is common in people who follow vegetarian or vegan diets, as B12 is found mostly in animal products.
Next week we will continue looking at nutritional deficiencies.
Listen to my interview with Brad Kirsten from Radio Cape Pulpit on 19 September 2024 to learn more. Listen to my next interview on Thursday at 7.45am.