Why am I always tired but I’m not sleeping?

Being tired but not sleepy at the right time is really common. And up to 30% of the Irish population experience insomnia. 

You can make yourself physically tired, you can do lots of exercise, go on a hike, lift heavy things. You can also make yourself mentally tired - over thinking, working really hard or if you have personal issues on your mind. But you simply can't make yourself sleepy and fall asleep if your mind doesn't want you to. 

Feeling tired without being sleepy can be a sign that your body is physically or mentally exhausted and needs rest.

A few simple steps to help you get back on track. 

• Write down every morning what time you went to sleep and when you woke up. This is to check how much sleep you are actually getting
• Then score your sleep quality - how refreshed do you feel when you wake up? 
• Do you spot any patterns? When you spend less time in bed but more time asleep do you feel better? For example, going to bed at 1am and waking at 7 might suit you better than trying to go to sleep at 10pm. 
• Try to get up at the same time every day. This small change will help reset your sleep patterns as a first step. And it will help you start to feel more tired in the evening when you want to. 

If you're always feeling tired, there are a few things you can check to help identify the cause:

1. Sleep habits: Take a closer look at your sleep habits, including the amount of sleep you're getting, the quality of your sleep, and the time you go to bed and wake up. Poor sleep habits can contribute to feeling tired. This is our focus but we think its helpful to look at wider things that might also cause you to feel tired. 
2. Diet and hydration: Evaluate your diet and hydration habits. Ensure you're eating a healthy, balanced diet, and drinking enough water to stay hydrated.
3. Exercise routine: Consider your exercise routine. Are you engaging in physical activity regularly? Exercise can boost energy levels and help combat fatigue.
4. Medications: Review any medications you're taking, including over-the-counter and prescription medications. Some medications can cause drowsiness or fatigue as a side effect. This won't help you get quality sleep
5. Medical conditions: Consider any underlying medical conditions you may have that could be contributing to your fatigue. Speak with your healthcare provider to rule out any underlying health issues.
6. Mental health: Consider your mental health. Stress, anxiety, and depression can cause fatigue, so it's essential to manage these conditions properly.

If you've checked these factors and are still experiencing fatigue, it's important to speak with a healthcare provider to determine the underlying cause and develop a plan to address it.

Around 30% of the Irish population reported experiencing insomnia symptoms according to Royal college of surgeons.. Insomnia is a common sleep disorder that can make it difficult to fall asleep, stay asleep, or both, which can have a significant impact on daily functioning and quality of life.

Our sleepers are useful to help people get out of their own minds and help stop a racing mind. See here for more information. 

Get in touch if you have specific sleep challenges. We can point you in the right direction of the right healthcare provider for you

I’m Sine Dunne and YOUR sleep matters to me