Is it normal for me to be so tired

[lharris1]

Young, in shape (around 53kg) no dependants, living alone in London. I also take iron supplements daily as have often been anaemic in past.

I feel like I don’t have an excuse to be feeling tired. 8+ hours is a long time to sleep surely? How are people coping with working full time with caring responsibilities

I sleep just before midnight, then wake up at around 8.40am. I still really struggle waking up in the morning so may even snooze alarm for an extra 10 mins but I have to be logged in to my work laptop by 9.
I’ll often ‘work’ (attend morning meetings camera off) from bed for first hour which I know is bad/gross but I’m just too exhausted to get up properly.

Only by 10am-ish do I feel more awake.

After work (finish anywhere from 5.30 - 6.30) I’m then too tired to cook so most of the time grab a healthier ready meal from supermarket for dinner.

The odd evening after work I may have plans with friends and will force myself to fight tiredness because of it. However, the next morning will suffer with more tiredness.

Potentially iron again. I’m anaemic with low folate and genuinely thought I was dying for a year or so before I figured out what it was.
I have a full on job involving on call and shift work, two teenagers and other commitments involving a lot of exercise so like you I still have to get up and get on with things but I really didn’t recognise myself. I had no real opinions or emotions for months because I was too tired to think or give anything. Feeling slightly better now but it’s shocking how much low iron can affect you.

It reads to me like you’re stuck in student/teenager mode.

Instead of lying in bed until the last possible minute and working in your pajamas, get up earlier, get moving and showered and have a coffee. I know it’s the last thing you want to do in the winter when you’re exhausted and it’s dark and cold but sleep hygiene and a good routine are really important - especially if you’re prone to poor mental health.

Go outside everyday, even if it’s just for 15 minutes at lunchtime.

Cook - it doesn’t need to take long. Fresh soups, jacket potatoes, stir fry, pasta, a tray bake of chicken and veggies. You could get HelloFresh or similar as well if you’re struggling for ideas.

I’d also go back to the GP for more blood tests to make sure you’re not deficient in anything, but honestly, don’t underestimate the importance of a good routine, getting up and outside and feeding your body properly.

@snoopythebeagle yeah I think that’s very fair tbh!
I think I’m someone who unless I have to do something (direct consequences if not), I withdraw and have little motivation.

Thank you, some good tips, I’m excited to go for a 30 min walk during lunch today as it’s a start for working towards better habits.

I’d see your GP to get your thyroid levels checked. Tiredness was my main symptom before I was diagnosed with underactive thyroid.

Definitely get yourself checked out. It could be something that is easily treatable with the right medication.

Agree with getting your thyroid checked as lots of what you are doing is ok but you give no info on this.
I need masses of sleep, minimum 9 hours unless early appointment, and all my life have been an owl. You sound like an ‘extreme owl’ - yes they are on the list! Your personal circadian rhythm is a part of this and, sadly, the world is not set up for us. Lots of other good ideas here, but you might find you cannot change a great deal provided your body is healthy.

I'd get your vitamin levels checked. I was in a similar situation. Was passing out with exhaustion after work. Turned out my vitamin d level was dangerously low. Easily remedied once I knew what was causing the exhaustion.

The more you do nothing, the harder it is to do something.

Sounds like laziness to me.

Walking or any exercise will give you an endorphin hit.
Getting up and having a shower or bath will wake you up more.

Making your bed and cooking a healthy breakfast will give you a boost too.

It's the little things and the commute to work wakes you up into second gear whereas it sounds like you're pretty much on neutral most of the time.

Not healthy.

I thought I was just being lazy but went for a blood test and found out I was really very anemic. I was really struggling to get through the day, even with a full nights sleep and often a nap. It's definitely worth checking, the iron tablets you get on prescription are a lot stronger than the ones in shops

I get 8+ hours and struggle without a nap. I eat well, get outside, take supplements but nothing ever got to the root cause. My bloods are all perfect. I have a full time job and 2 kids, so lifes hectic, but one day I was just really tired and have stuggled ever since. Ive been diagnosed with chronic fatigue. Have you always been this tired?

I have ADHD and this is one of the main symptoms that it causes for me (along with several others).

What’s your diet like? You don’t actually sound sedentary with 7500 steps. That’s more than most. And if you maintain your weight around 53kg but feel too skinny it may be that you’re not actually eating enough of the right things for your body to function optimally.

how’s your protein intake? Track your food for a few days and aim for around 80g per day based on your weight.

get 2 different veg at both lunch and dinner.

water - 2 litres a day

walks are a good habit, I’d go for within 30 mins of waking up if you really want to reset your circadian rhythm and help with natural morning energy

good luck 🙃

Agree . I was tired all the time even after plenty of sleep and it was an under active thyroid. Started on thyroxine and felt better within days.A multi vitamin and mineral supplement, complete B vitamins and magnesium help too.

Have you tried sleeping under a weighted blanket? Because you sound like me before I realised I am probably ND. And your latest update sounds fairly ADHDish.

Ask for your thyroid to be checked in blood tests too.

It's the hours of sleep before midnight that count, apparently.

I’d get an O2 monitor for your finger to check your oxygen levels whilst asleep. If they are low, you may have sleep apnoea, which may account for the tiredness.

Honestly it could be a million and one things from stress and MH to vit d, thyroid out of whack or some other condition. Is defo say exercise helps me..even with chronic pain etc and finro fatigue I feel better even if only gone on just dance for a bit (proper all over dancing not just arm movements) But first port of call is speak to GP to make sure it's not down to any conditions.

Apart from checking the vitamins levels I will suggest starting some sort of cardio workout. I am much older but have recently changed my exercise routine (going for more weight, cardio) and my energy level has improved significantly. I’m single mum with full time work, no support so you can imagine the workload but the sweaty classes (hiit, spin, pump etc.) kicked my lazy/tired but, sleep much less than I used to and I am super productive.

Get your thyroid tested.

Sounds similar to me.. what turned me around was a mornng iron tablet and a super garlic capsule,both taken with a porridge breakfast, feel alive again xxxx

10pm - 2am is the most important sleep. It’s the rebuilding, rejuvenating sleep.

It’ll take some training, but your body clock doesn’t match your life.

Iron levels and b12, especially as youre slim.

Exactly what I was going to say, all of this. Excellent advice.

I went to a well being seminar and they talked about a 90 min sleep cycle. It has changed my life. Look it up!

If you’re going to bed at 12 set an alarm for 7:30 so you wake up at the end of a sleep cycle rather than in the middle of one!