Why Am I So Tired?

Why Am I So Tired? Good Question!

For many people, sleep deprivation is to blame for feeling tired all day. Sleep debt occurs when you don’t get enough sleep for days, weeks or even months. Do you find yourself feeling tired more often than you would like? Maybe you’re reaching for the second cup of coffee (ie: CAFFEINE) in the mid-afternoon, trying to avoid a crash? Well, the good news is that you are not alone. According to a study done by OnePoll, more than 60% of Americans say that they rarely wake up feeling fully rested. For some people, this lack of energy is not only frustrating but has a serious impact on everyday life!

Note: This is not intended as medical advice and I always recommend that you speak to your healthcare practitioner or doctor if you are suffering from fatigue.

Everybody has a different sensitivity to caffeine, but the consistent side effects of too much caffeine include:

• Anxiety
• Rapid or abnormal heart rhythm
• Dizziness
• Restlessness
• Headaches
• Insomnia
• Dependency
• Dehydration

Constant fatigue explains why so many Americans are turning to energy drinks, sugary coffees, and other “uppers” in an effort to remain awake and alert during the day. Over 90% of Americans use caffeine on a daily basis! The Toad knows that nobody likes being tired, remember, small lifestyle changes to help yourself get more rest!

SLEEP DEPRIVATION

One of the main reasons that people are feeling tired throughout their day is a lack of good sleep! This may seem self-explanatory, but you would be surprised how many people look for external solutions before optimizing their sleep and sleep patterns. A lot of people think they sleep 6-8 hours a night, but really are getting much less because a large portion of the night is spent tossing and turning. If you are feeling tired, start with doing a full audit of your sleep schedule.

One thing that has been known to help improve your sleep quality is reducing your blue light intake before bed. According to Healthline, blue light essentially tricks your body into thinking that it’s still daytime! Computers, phones, and other electronic devices emit large amounts of blue light and can throw off your sleep if used too close to bedtime. 

Another factor that can help enhance sleep is following a consistent bedtime. When you go to bed at a consistent time, your body can get used to the schedule and start to wind down at the appropriate time. If you combine this with blocking out blue light, you have a chance to get better sleep and feel more energized throughout the day.

Are You Stressed Out? Feeling stressed doesn’t just make you irritable, it can also contribute to overwhelming feelings of fatigue. At Blue Toad, we are very big on adaptogens like Ashwagandha extract. Adaptogens can support your overall health and well-being, and consequently, support a better night’s sleep.

Caffeine Late In The Day

Coffee has become a major part of the morning routine of millions of Americans. While traditionally coffee is used as a morning drink, trends have shown that younger people are more likely to drink a coffee beverage later in the day, sometimes even with lunch.

This reach for an afternoon cup of coffee is usually to try to gain some more energy and avoid the mid-day crash. The problem with this is that caffeine can make it harder to sleep, making you more tired the next day, and starting the cycle all over again! Great sleep is important to feeling energized and well-rested, so anything affecting your sleep may also be affecting your energy as a byproduct. Constantly trying to make up for a lack of sleep with caffeine is not sustainable. 

Try making your afternoon coffee beverage decaf and analyze how it affects your sleep!

Have You Tried Lion’s Mane?

Lion’s Mane is a functional mushroom that has been used for centuries and may enhance focus and energy. While a lot of people use caffeine as their main source of daily energy, Lion’s Mane can be used as a complement or as an addition to potentially elevate your focus throughout the day. Some people say Lion’s Mane gives them similar feelings of elevated energy as caffeine, but without the crash.

Our Lion’s Mane & Chaga (BRAIN) Coffee Booster is the perfect addition to any cup of coffee, regular or decaf. It comes in a delicious chocolate maple flavor (real chocolate and real maple) and is available at the Toad Shop today!