Why am I tired all the time?

Sometimes, just being human is exhausting.

When you think about all the things you do in a day, life can be exhausting. Just the act of waking up, brushing your teeth, taking a shower, getting dressed, making sure you eat, etc. can be a lot. And then add the responsibilities of school, work, and caring for others. And then add everything happening in the world around us.

No wonder we are exhausted.

It’s normal to feel exhausted sometimes. Some days are more tiring than others. But if you feel tired all the time, then it might be worth it to take some time to reflect and see if something else is going on.

What’s making me tired?

There are many reasons that we could be tired all the time. It could be related to our own habits and routines or it could be something related to our overall wellbeing. To figure out what’s going on, it’s a good idea to reflect on what’s happening in your life right now.

Am I thinking about self-care?

When we neglect our self-care and our needs, this can lead to physical and emotional exhaustion. We may feel like there aren’t enough hours in the day to do everything we need. And feeling tired all the time can feel like being in a thick fog where it’s hard to focus or find any energy or motivation. But there are things that you can do to try to recharge.

If you feel as though you don’t have time for self-care, then it’s time to look at what’s on your plate, and prioritize what energizes you. Making sure that we get good sleep, eat nutritious meals, and do activities that make us feel good is important. These are things that help give us energy and recharge.

Here are some easy self-care activities that can help you feel recharged:

• Listening to your favorite songs or music that makes you feel energized
• Grounding yourself and practicing deep breathing, meditation, or mindfulness
• Taking a nap or resting your eyes for a bit
• Doing something physical or exercise
• Doing something for yourself 
• Exploring your hobbies and interests
• Having a good conversation with a loved one or friend

Is my environment making me exhausted?

Our environment—or the people, places, and things we surround ourselves with—may be the reason behind our exhaustion. For example, big life changes like moving homes, the work we do at school or our jobs, changing your relationship status, healing from trauma, experiencing loss, etc. can make us feel tired.

Good or bad change can be overwhelming. We have to adjust our lives to something new, and that takes a lot of energy. And often major shifts in life come with emotions that we have to process alongside living our daily lives. Big emotions and heavy thinking is as exhausting on our brains as physical labor. All of this is very tiring.

If we’re overwhelmed and exhausted by the things around us, then it’s time to assess what we have the power to change. For example, if your job is the reason for your emotional exhaustion, then it might mean that it is time to find a new job. If we have experienced a loss, then we have the power to reach out for support, process our feelings, and find healthy ways to cope. When we acknowledge what around us is making us feel tired all the time, then we can make a way to escape the exhaustion and feel better.

Could it be my physical health?

Sometimes the underlying cause of our exhaustion is out of our control. There are many physical illnesses where fatigue is a common side effect. For example, before experiencing all of the symptoms of a cold or flu, many people are tired first. People with thyroid disorders, autoimmune disorders, and other diseases often experience chronic fatigue. If you can’t identify the source of your exhaustion, then it may be a good idea to talk to your doctor, so you can rule out a physical illness.

Could it be my mental health?

Feeling tired all the time is also a symptom of several mental health conditions including depression and anxiety. Depression can make it difficult to get out of bed some days, and some people report sleeping more when they are depressed. Others experience insomnia and struggle to sleep at all. Anxiety is often exhausting because we feel like we’re running laps in our own heads.

If you believe that your tiredness may be the result of a mental health condition, then consider taking one of our mental health tests. While it may not be an official diagnosis, it can help affirm what you are going through. And start a conversation with a loved one, therapist, or mental health professional when you are ready.

We may know why we are not feeling well, and we all have the ability to make change. But making change is hard especially when we feel like we have no energy. Remember taking small steps toward change is better than taking no steps at all. We are allowed to move at our own pace. And usually taking one step in the right direction leads to taking more on our journey to feeling better.