Women today lead busy lives. Many view feeling tired as merely a symptom of their hectic lifestyle and not something they should see a doctor about.
In reality, if you are leading a balanced lifestyle and are generally healthy, fatigue shouldn’t affect day-to-day life. There may be an underlying problem that is causing you to feel tired all the time.
Here are some common causes of excessive sleep and sudden fatigue in women.
Not getting enough sleep
This may seem obvious, but most adults aren’t getting enough sleep. Most of us need a good eight hours to support a healthy lifestyle. If you have trouble getting to sleep, the best thing you can do is to stick to a sleep schedule – going to bed and getting up at the same time every day.
Not getting good quality sleep
Not all sleep is equal. If your sleep isn’t good quality – characterised by falling asleep easily, sleeping through the night without waking, and feeling like you’ve had a good rest when you wake – then your body won’t reap the benefits.
As well as trying to get 8 hours of sleep, make sure your sleep environment is optimal, by darkening the room, setting it at a cool temperature, and eliminating any noise distractions such as a mobile phone.
Depression or stress
Fatigue is a common issue for people living with depression. Stress can also have an impact on your energy levels during the day. Both are also known to cause insomnia.
Addressing any struggles you may be having with your mental health can often have a big impact on fatigue and insomnia, as well as your overall wellbeing.
Iron deficiency
Women need more iron in their diet due to hormonal and lifestyle demands. Menstruation, menopause and pregnancy all put demands on the body, but many women aren’t getting enough iron in their diets.
This can lead to an iron deficiency, called anemia. One of the most common side effects of anemia is fatigue and feeling weak. See your doctor if you think you may have an iron deficiency. They may advise supplements and increasing the amounts of foods high in iron, such as red meat, fish, and green leafy vegetables.
Thyroid conditions
The thyroid gland is responsible for regulating many bodily functions, including heart rate, body temperature, and metabolism. If your thyroid is overactive, it can leave you feeling exhausted. If it is underactive, it can leave you feeling lethargic.
Always talk to your doctor if you think you have any symptoms of an over- or underactive thyroid. They can diagnose a problem with a simple blood test and manage it with thyroid hormone medications.
Diet
Sometimes, fatigue is simply down to a poor diet. Eating the wrong kinds of food, not eating enough food, and not drinking enough water can all lead to extreme tiredness.
Try to eat three balanced meals a day, with a couple of healthy snacks in between, to ensure you have enough energy to face the day. Avoid large amounts of fatty or greasy food, as these can leave you feeling sluggish.
Not moving enough
Although your body may not feel like it, doing more exercise can help to combat fatigue. When you move more, you improve your heart’s health and increase blood flow to your muscles, which will boost your energy levels and promote better sleep.
Don’t let fatigue slow you down
Fatigue can be caused by a number of things. Always talk to your doctor if you are feeling excessively tired, to rule out more serious health conditions.