Why Are You Waking Up Tired?
By Randi Morse
I find it extremely frustrating to go to bed at what I believed to be a reasonable time only to wake up the next morning still feeling exhausted. Some days it seems like exhaustion is the only thing that doesn't change in my life. I always thought my exhaustion was normal. I remember my mother looking exhausted a great deal of the time, so I thought all adults felt fatigued all of the time. It turns out that is not the case. There are a number of reasons why you may be feeling exhaustion even after getting a full night's sleep.
The wrong bedtime - My husband can get 6 hours of sleep at night and wake up with a hop to his step, ready to work. I can function well on 6 hours of sleep, but only for one night. If I get less than 8 hours of sleep two nights in a row, I not only feel exhausted, I get extremely cranky. Every body type is different, which means everyone has a different amount of sleep they require in order to feel rested.
The snooze button - Some people think the snooze button is the greatest thing that has ever been invented. Truthfully, the snooze button may be making you feel even more exhausted, and here's why. When you hit the snooze button you are essentially giving yourself anywhere from 7 to 9 more minutes just sleep. That is not enough time for your body to get into a restful sleep mode. Deep sleep is where your body refreshes itself, and if you hit the snooze button a few times, the rest you get is broken and fragmented, which can make you feel more tired.
What you ate or drank - Alcohol and caffeine are two huge contributors to sleep deprivation. Caffeine is a stimulant that helps keep your brain out of deep sleep, which will leave you waking up feeling unrefreshed. Alcohol can make you feel sleepy, but it is similar to caffeine in that it does not allow your brain to drop into a restful sleep state.
There are a number of things that can cause you to feel exhaustion even after you've had a full night's sleep. The easiest way to fix the problem is to eliminate one issue at a time. Change the amount of sleep that you're getting and lay off the snooze button. Keep a close eye on what you drink and eat before bed, then see how you feel the next morning. With some trial and error you should be able to find the perfect solution for your specific sleep needs.
To learn more about your health, wellness and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Wake Forest, N.C.