All products featured on Self are independently selected by our editors.

However, we may receive compensation from retailers and/or from purchases of products through these links.

If the question that comes up most often when talking to yourself (its totally fine!)

girl and her dog asleep in bed together

If you always feel tired, it could be due to lifestyle factors or even a health condition.

is Why am I always tired?

We all get a bit tired, but normal fatigue gets better with proper rest.

If youre experiencing those symptoms, you oughta flag your fatigue to your doctor.

Theres also a difference between being sleepy and excessively fatigued.

Sleepiness is simply the drive to sleep.

Lifestyle causes|Health causes|When to see a doctor|Tips to stop feeling tired

Do certain lifestyle factors cause fatigue?

So, what are some of the reasons you could be feeling extremely exhausted on the daily?

Weve got a few common behaviors you might want to examine in your own life.

Breaking a sweat can also help reduce your stress andanxietylevels, both of which are known sleep-stealing bandits.

Stick to something low-key, likegentle stretching or yoga, if you want to move late at night.

Otherwise, its best to work out in the morning or right after work.

Its amazing how many people still have their childhood pillow, Dr. Salas says.

Especially if youre allergic to dust, this can impact your health and keep you from sleeping well.

You should replace yourpillowevery two years, Dr. Salas recommends.

(Your body will thank you later.)

An intense workout isnt the only reason your body might be tired.

A lack ofvitamin Dand vitamin B12 in your diet can leave your muscles feeling fatigued.

In severe instances, vitamin B12 deficiency can cause tingling or numbness in your hands and feet.

Vitamin B12 is present in eggs, tuna, dairy products, and fortified foods, like cereal.

Finding foods that contain these vitamins can be especially difficult for plant-based eaters, so supplements might be necessary.

A full stomach can affect your sleep quality.

Your energy levelsand coworkerswill thank you.

Food and Drug Administration, so youll want your coffee cutoff to beat leastfour to six hours before bedtime.

This basically takes place because your bodys sleep-wake cycle cant find a sense of balance.

As a result, you experience symptoms like problems sleeping and affected performance when you work at night.

If possible, attempt to schedule yourself with some break times in between shifts to catch up on sleep.

Generally, staying up too late can make you feel tired all the time.

Chronic late night workers might stay up even later to reclaim that me time.

Its calledrevenge bedtime procrastination(yes, its a thing) and its not really good for your sleep.

The right partner can be a buffer to stress.

But the wrong partner?

They can worsen it.

And the more stress you have, the more fatigue youre likely to experience and vice versa.

Ideally, you and your partner can reconnect to enhance your relationship.

There are so many effects of the pandemic that we are still experiencing.

One is pandemic fatigue, which is also called burnout or COVID-19 fatigue, according to theAmerican Medical Association.

Its also important to maintain relationships and interactions with loved ones as much as possible.

Feeling connected plays a big role in staying strong and resilient during these isolating times.

Do certain health problems cause fatigue?

Sometimes, no matter what you do, you still just feel so damn tired.

One of the biggest reasons for always feeling tired despite getting enough sleep isobstructive sleep apnea(OSA).

This happens when your breathing stops and starts unexpectedly during the night.

Snoring is a hallmark sign of the condition, but thats not a surefire way to diagnose it.

Plus, it increases your risk for depression and affects your quality of life.

Its not fair to blame everything on your period.

Talk with your gynecologist if youre experiencing out-of-the-ordinary fatigue or other symptoms.

But, unfortunately, it can take a little time.

Your immune system works really hard to fend off an infection and that requires energy, Piper points out.

Fatigue is a symptom closely related to depression.

Depression is a serious medical condition, so its important toseek help.

Depression isnt the only mental health issue that can lead to feeling tired all the time.

According to theNational Institute of Mental Health, it can leave you exhausted and plagued with sleep disturbances.

Anxiety in particular can be draining, licensed clinical psychologistAlicia H. Clark, Psy.

D., tells SELF.

Another possibility is inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), which includesulcerative colitisandCrohns disease.

These affect the G.I.

tract, causing open sores.

Autoimmune diseases arent the only suspects when it comes to your health and feelings of exhaustion.

Other types of chronichealth conditionscan also cause varying levels of fatigue.

Anemia happens when you dont have enough healthy red blood cells to carry adequate oxygen to your bodys tissues.

tract or even pregnancy.

Medications and dietary supplements can contribute to fatigue.

Examples include antihistamines, pain medications, some antidepressants, beta blockers, and anxiety-relieving medications.

Sometimes, its the combinations of medications and supplements that make you more tired than expected.

The condition can also cause pronounced fatigue.

Should I be worried if Im always tired?

In a word, yes.

Feeling tired all the time has a number of effects on your body and mind.

Heres another surprising fact: Sleep deprivation can impair you so significantly, its like youve been drinking.

So, being tired isnt just a nuisance, it can actually be downright dangerous.

How do I stop feeling tired all the time?

Fatigue can be a vicious cycle.

Youre tired, but you still have commitments at home.

So you work more and dont rest when you should.

This makes you more tired at your job, and you feel mentally and physically drained.

You cant keep doing the same thing and expect a different result.

They may suggest you get a sleep study to see whats really going on during your nighttime zzzs.

Additional reporting by Korin Miller.