Why do some people feel more tired than others?

[MinorSammy]

Medical conditions aside, what affects how tired people feel?

I've never felt tired really in my life and I want to know why because I'm nosy and it's interesting. Three kids, terrible sleepers, up all night for years. Hardly slept in late pregnancy either due to discomfort. Was really anaemic with my second and third. But never ever feel tired.

I sleep around 8 hours a night if left to my own devices without screaming children. I fall asleep easily. I generally have very stable hormones I think, or at least I don't get mood changes through the month or during pregnancy. I can drink all the coffee I want, or none at all, and it makes no difference.

Why are some people like me, is it all governed by hormones? Is it genetic? It can't just be good habits/lifestyle because lots of people have those and still struggle if they get no sleep. My brother does healthy habits but still gets tired like a normal person I will say.

It's not short sleeper syndrome because I sleep 8 hours a night ideally, which is too long for this condition.

Anyone else like this? I'd love to hear theories on why you think you might be like this!

No idea really, just consider yourself really lucky!!
I have an under active thyroid which I am medicated for, apparently my levels are all good with the medication however I am exhausted - all of the fucking time!!
I have been back to the doctors multiple times, I have a consultant and have explored every medical avenue, I should be fine!! Except I'm not.
I always wonder what it must be like to feel like you! I would love to spend an evening watching movies and deciding to go to bed at 1am because I want a longer evening... I can't, my body just shuts down at 9pm and I go to sleep.
Sorry, probably not the response you are looking for, I think I am the opposite perspective to you!

Oh and stress!! Are you stressed ? I find the more stressed I am the more my body just shuts down and the more exhausted I feel.

Mine is illness. RA, chronic fatigue and anemia.

But my mum seems like she could go forever.

I'd love to just feel tired if I'm honest and not exhausted 😴

Surely the question is why don't you get tired? That's extremely unusual.

I'm tired because I'm stressed and depressed as fuck 🤷🏻‍♀️

On my good days I don't get day time tired though.

Diet, sleep, stress,mental health

I think I get over-stimulated very easily which leads to overwhelm e.g. noises, stress, things to do etc, which goes into tiredness! I think I have undiagnosed ADHD and as such am much more sensitive to many factors.

I'm also a LP so it is hard, with a traumatic childhood to boot. If you come from a background of trauma your stress triggers can go off much more easily, and stress can lead to tiredness / depression etc.

I'm often tired, and even when I was younger I tired easily. I don't know why, I am in pretty good health. I just can't keep my eyes open after 8pm. I know I'm lucky really because I generally sleep very well, but it is annoying if I want to go out anywhere in the evenings. I always have to go to matinees at the Theatre because I know I won't make it til the the evening.

Also, support network or lack of, financial situation, physical and mental health etc all count towards how tired you feel.

Ooh yes I never thought of stress as a factor. I don't get stressed no. Never had an adrenaline rush either, despite doing things to earn one! I am just chilled, logical type of approach. In stressful situations I am the one stroking my chin thoughtfully 😆 I don't mean to sound like I'm bragging: I can't help any of this and haven't done anything to deserve applause for it so I'm genuinely not bragging. It's like having blue eyes, it just is. I know I am really lucky.

Oh and mental health is solid. Physical health sometimes up and down a bit, but nothing terrible.

@K0OLA1D your mum is like this too? Do you have any suspicions as to why?

I'm not a tired person at all, ever! But I do spend a lot of time very stressed (3 DCs, 2 Dogs, 2 jobs + studying, DH works away etc.etc.) but I find the stress actually fills me with adrenaline - if that makes sense
I have so many friends that answer "Really tired" every time when I ask how they are, always tired!

It wouldn't be true to say I don't ever feel tired. That would be weird! I quite often fall asleep on the sofa when watching tv at about 10pm and after a poor night's sleep and long day I occasionally fall asleep on the train home (dangerous).

However, I am constantly surprised by how often other people say they are too tired/unwell to do stuff. Even saying they are spending the day/evening in bed! I have never been too tired/unwell to go out, to meet friends, to work, to go to school, or to stay up to bedtime.

I once didn't go to the theatre as I had a really annoying cough which I thought would just annoy everyone else there. Once my mum wouldn't let me go to the cinema as I had just thrown up. And I had to have some days of school with chicken pox as I had the rash but I didn't feel unwell. That's it!!

I have never in my adult life gone to bed before 10pm. I've certainly never come close to having a day in bed. I'm in my 50s. I don't really understand why so many people seem so very different.

Personally I find my mental health much more draining than physical. If I'm having a down day I feel so fatigued and I can't be bothered to do anything.

Meanwhile today, after a pretty crap night's sleep, I still feel able to go and do stuff even though I can feel I'm physically tired!

Well this thread makes me jealous, tiredness absolutely dominates my life. And as far as I know theres nothing wrong with me, it has always been this way. I have had mild anaemia on and off which is generally manageable with iron vitamin tablets but even with those I have very low energy all the time. Waking up early is a big source of anxiety for me. Recently DH was away and I knew the puppy would get me up at 6. I got so worked up about it I went to bed at 8.30, still felt like crap the next morning. I get really impacted by irritability when tired which affects my mental health as it makes it hard to cope with DD. funnily enough I'm okay when working. I don't have any noticeable symptoms of other things like chronic fatigue or low b12 but I would love more energy if I knew how to get it

V jealous here . I think I am the opposite !
sensitive to hormones, caffeine , jet lag, alcohol, illness - anything can throw my energy/ tiredness levels out of whack.
I get tired easily and could go to bed any time of day and fall asleep.
I’m healthy, no anaemia , no thyroid issues, regular periods, no depression - just need a lot of recharging !
always been like this

It's really interesting. I've always needed loads of sleep. Even when I was in my twenties without kids, the only way I could cope with a full time job was by going to be at 9/9.30pm every night.

I'm the same. Barely ever tired. I sleep around 6.5- 7 hours a night. Always awake by 6.30am even at weekends.
Am never ill either. Don't remember having time off school sick and have maybe taken a few days off work sick in 22 years. I can't imagine being ill in bed, such a strange concept to me.
No idea why I'm like this, just am.

I don't sleep well, I've been a poor sleeper all my life, the absolute relief I feel when I've had a full nights sleep is indescribable.

It's particularly bad at the moment, I've had to come off HRT, menopause had definitely made it worse, and I've also started at a gym

Right now I could happily go for a nap, I fairly often come home from work and nap for 30 minutes of so.

I follow all the sleep hygiene advice - though I have to say a husband and a dog who both snore doesn't help.

I am a tired person, I have a theory - I had glandular fever as a teenager and I honestly think it’s affected my energy levels ever since! I always want to sit down, find it so tiring running around after my child, hate getting up in the morning etc. I’m small and slim and think it improves slightly when I follow an exercise plan but even then, that always knackers me! Would love to be a non-tired type! My husband is also a tired type so we just plod along feeling knackered lol.

I guess the fact that you get lots of sleep helps? I'm a lone parent to two with additional needs and one in the diagnosis process, I'm perimenopausal and have an autoimmune condition. I'm usually standing beside my own head with tiredness and would love to have energy again.

My mum sounds like you. Apart from the solid mental health. She has terrible anxiety. I think being on the go all the time helps her 'not think' iyswim.

I'm just broken 😂

Different things can make different people more tired. I can walk and walk for miles without it taking much out of me but stressful situations and being around people for too much time affects me more.

Energy comes from looking after yourself and good health so

a good night's sleep that matches your needs for most people 8 hours minimum but can vary

good and healthy nutrition

proper hydration

regular exercise

no on going health problems.

speaking as a night owl living on junk food and sugar and wine coach potato, I've got a fairly good idea why I am knackered most of the time!