7 Reasons You May Be Waking Up Tired - Your Sleep Health

7 common reasons you wake up tired and how to fix them. Learn about sleep quality, sleep disorders, and lifestyle factors that affect your morning energy levels.

Nectar Editorial Team

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waking up tiredwaking up tired after 8 hours of sleep?Tired of waking up tired?7 Reasons You May be Waking up Tiredthe only mattress with a lifetime warranty

waking up tired

waking up tired after 8 hours of sleep?

There are many reasons why people often wake up tired. Although a lot of people live life in the fast lane, there are those who take it real slow. So why do we wake up tired? What is it that causes our lack of energy when waking up tired?With the busy lives that we lead, it can be a daunting task to pinpoint what exactly may be causing our tiredness. For some of us, it may be time to schedule a visit with our doctor, but for others, simple changes may help us sleep better.You may be asking yourself, can allergies be causing these sleep problems? Perhaps you have a sleep disorder or sleep apnea? Could it be stress or anxiety that is causing you to wake up tired? Let’s take a closer look at what could be causing your restlessness and sleeplessness nights that may lead you to wake up tired.

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7 Reasons You May be Waking up Tired

1. You Sleep Too Long

Some of us have a tendency to oversleep. When we try to catch up with missed sleep from the previous evening, it is highly possible you will end up sleeping too long the following day. You might be surprised that you are unable to catch up on your missed sleep . For instance, if you slept merely four hours each night during the week, sleeping in extra hours over the weekend won’t really make up for lost time.The ideal thing to do is to only aim for seven to eight hours of sleep as not to disrupt your sleep pattern. There are some of us who oversleep chronically. Oversleeping can be caused by an underlying medical condition and is linked to health problems including diabetes and heart disease.

2. Anxiety and Depression

If you are tossing and turning in the evening despite being too exhausted, you might have the days events running through your mind that you can’t seem to shut off. If you often find yourself in this situation, chances are you might have a medical condition like stress, anxiety, or depression . These conditions can lead to sleep problems or may cause you to oversleep. Either way, you may feel exhausted, or you may lack the energy to stay awake the entire day. We all know that too much stress is very unhealthy and it can take a toll on your body.It is crucial that you look for ways to manage stress and pinpoint the root cause. Consult your medical doctor, find support groups, and seek comfort from friends and loved ones. It is also a good practice to keep a journal and jot down your thoughts to de-stress.

3. Your Diet

What you eat can play a crucial role in your sleep quality or the lack of it. Eating tons of fatty, fried, and processed meals can lead to a restless night of sleep leaving you tired the next day. These kinds of foods can lead to indigestion, gastrointestinal problems, and heartburn. You will not sleep soundly when your stomach aches, that’s for sure. Instead, have a well-balanced diet consisting of vegetables, fruits, proteins, and whole grains to allow you to sleep better and feel great the next day.Make sure to hydrate in the daytime. Drinking too many fluids right before bedtime can cause you to make frequent the bathroom throughout the night, disrupting your sleep. Inversely, being dehydrated can lead to muscle cramps, especially when you lie down to sleep so make sure to consume plenty of fluids during the daytime versus right before bed.

4. Lack of Exercise

It is important to exercise on a regular basis and to stay active as much as possible. Aim to do at least 40 minutes of physical activity four days a week. Do this even if you feel tired. You can try walking, jogging, cardio exercises, and yoga, to name a few. Find an exercise regimen that you love and enjoy doing and stick to it. Regular exercise can help you maintain your energy levels. However, make sure that you do not exercise close to bedtime as it can affect your sleep.

5. Too Much Reliance On Sleeping Aids

Taking sleeping aids around can disrupt your sleeping pattern and cause daytime drowsiness. Now that many sleeping aids and supplements are readily available over the counter, anyone can easily purchase them. But, if you fail to check with your physician before taking those sleeping aids, chances are you might be at risk for experiencing a ‘sleeping pill hangover’ daily, leaving you exhausted. Sleeping pills and supplements are laced with side effects , and they can alter your body’s biological clock and sleep cycles which leaves you waking up tired the next day.A natural way to treat sleep problems is to have adequate melatonin in your body; this is a hormone that is naturally occurring in your pineal gland and is responsible for sleepiness at bedtime. But, before anything else, always make sure you ask your doctor about it.

6. Too Many Distractions / Noise

For those who live near a busy thoroughfare or in a city area, it is highly probable that you have too many noise and distractions even at night time. Bright glaring lights and noise are the leading culprits for sleeplessness and can easily prevent you from obtaining a good seven to eight hours of shut-eye. Having thin wall partitions in your room where you can still hear someone talking outside or noisy cars blowing horns on the street, are a potential recipe for a disastrous sleep. This can lead to you waking up tired. When it comes to sound and lighting, you need something constant and consistent. Get rid of any distractions, including mobile phones, notifications from your laptop or computer, etc. If you enjoy sitting for long periods in front of the TV or computer, sleeping at night will be a problem.If you always find yourself waking up tired and hitting on that snooze button every single day, then it is high time you reevaluate your daily habits. Make sure you prioritize your sleep.

7. Restless Leg Syndrome or RLS

Restless Leg Syndrome or RLS is a common condition of the nervous system that causes an overwhelming urge to move your legs, and it worsens at night. Constant tossing and turning during at bedtime when you are all set to sleep makes one unable to fall asleep and in some cases stay asleep leaving you tired in the morning. There may be underlying causes to RLS such as an iron deficiency so always check with your doctor for a proper diagnosis.

A Last Word

There can be many reasons why we wake up tired. However, your bedroom environment is also important for promoting a good night’s sleep. When your bedroom dark, chances are you will get to sleep faster. For those who like their bedroom dark so consider blackout curtains as they can help to block the light from creeping into your room.

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