Being tired in college is something we all have dealt with. Choosing to study instead of sleep is one reason why you may be struggling to keep your eyes open in your early morning lecture. However, being tired despite getting sleep is another issue all together.
Fatigue is a constant tiredness that seems to last long after the morning is through. It lingers, is constant, and is limiting. There are many factors that can contribute to fatigue even when you went to sleep at a reasonable hour.
The quality of your sleep is one factor. It is recommended that adults aged 18 and older get seven hours of sleep a night. Between studying and homework, this can sometimes feel impossible. However, if you still feel exhausted despite getting sleep, you may have another problem.
1. Anemia
Anemia is one of the most common blood conditions in the U.S. and affects up to three million Americans . According to hematology.org, your body lacks oxygen when you have anemia, so you might feel weakness, shortness of breath, cold hands or feet, chest pain, ect. There are many types of anemia, but the most common is iron-deficiency, which occurs due to blood loss or poor absorption of iron. Mostly women have this type of anemia, and up to 5% of women have anemia due to heavy periods.
If you think this might be what you have, do not start to take iron pills without consulting your doctor first, who can properly diagnose you with a blood test.
2. Depression
Depression can leave you not only feeling sad, it can leave you tired as well. Even if you have a full night’s rest, having depression can make you still feel like you hadn’t , leaving you feeling fatigued. Other symptoms include sadness, hopelessness, and lack of interest in activities you used to enjoy.
3. Hypothyroidism
Hypothyroidism is when you have an underactive thyroid. One of the most common symptoms is feeling tired. The thyroid hormones controls whether you feel alert or are ready to go take a nap. Even if you are sleeping more, having an underactive thyroid can make you feel exhausted. Other symptoms include being cold, sluggishness, and feeling depressed. Unexpected weight gain is another sign. If you are gaining weight despite eating the same, you could have hypothyroidism.
4. Dehydration
Dehydration doesn’t just make you thirsty–it makes you fatigued also. Make sure you are drinking eight 8 oz glasses water each day.
Coffee and energy drinks provide a sugary and fast way to feel like you are alert. In reality, it is
just masking the fact that you are tired. When you drink energy drinks and caffeine in the afternoon, it can impact your sleep schedule later that night, causing you to become even more tired the following day. Drinking caffeine is fine earlier in the day, however. It is when you consume it later on that it can impact your sleep.
There are many reasons why you could be tired, despite the fact that you are getting enough sleep. If you think you are getting enough hours, there could be another reason that’s keeping you from feeling awake throughout the day.