Why Am I So Tired All the Time?

There are plenty of reasons you might feel tired. Stress, not getting enough sleep, dehydration, poor nutrition, and a busy schedule can all play a role.

Sometimes, ongoing fatigue can also be related to anemia, thyroid problems, certain medications, or other health conditions.

What Can You Do in the Meantime?

While you’re figuring out what may be behind your fatigue, there are a few things you can try:

• Stick to a sleep schedule. Try going to bed and waking up around the same time each day.
• Get outside. With the days getting shorter, make an effort to get some natural light and movement during the day.

• Take a look at your routine. Stress, a packed schedule, alcohol, and even some medications can affect your energy.
• Be careful with supplements. You may think you need to grab vitamin B12, vitamin D, iron, or another supplement when you’re feeling tired, but supplements may not always the answer. For example, the National Institutes of Health says vitamin B12 supplements don’t improve energy or endurance in people who already get enough B12. If you think you may have a deficiency, talk to your health care provider about whether testing or a supplement makes sense for you.

When Is It Time to Make an Appointment

If you’ve been tired for several weeks, your fatigue is getting worse, or it’s affecting your everyday routine, schedule an appointment. Your provider can talk with you about your symptoms and determine whether testing may help figure out what’s going on.