Why Am I So Tired?

Why Am I So Tired?

It can be so frustrating when you know something is wrong, but your doctors and specialists tell you that all of your lab tests have come back normal.  You don’t feel like anyone is really hearing your issues. You know you don’t feel right…Fatigued, PMS, can’t sleep, gaining weight…maybe it’s a thyroid problem. UGH!

There are four main reasons for fatigue:

  1. Sleep: We need 6-8 hours.  Seriously.  I know many of us run our lives on 4-6 hours for many years and it has even become a badge of brag. “I’m so busy, I’m running on 4 hours of sleep.” I know I’ve been there…When we don’t sleep, our hormones cannot be produced properly.  This can result in everything from irregular cycles, PMS, and yes, fatigue.
  2. Blood Sugar Control: The Standard American Diet, SAD or Modern Urban Diet, MUD is high in fat, carbohydrates, and processed foods. These food raise blood sugar and insulin. A couple hours after eating these foods our blood sugar crashes, and we CRAVE more! If we go through these cycles several times a day it increases our risk for diabetes, and inflammation and it can also zap our energy.
  3. Lack of exercise: I know it seems counterintuitive. Exercise improves sleep and blood sugar control.  Muscle makes our metabolism hum….Hmmm, that makes sense…
  4. Adrenal, Thyroid and Hormone Imbalance: Our adrenals are partially responsible for our stress management. Thyroid regulates your cellular metabolism. Balanced female hormones allow you to have normal menstrual cycles, that aren’t heavy and are basically a non-event.

This is really just a list of the basics….If you’re looking for more details, check out my Fatigue Management Plan:Kick the Crap Out of Morning Fatigue.