How tired have you been feeling lately? For most people, feeling tired after a full day’s work is a normal feeling. However, it’s not normal at all if you’re feeling tired and under the weather all the time. And it’s even more problematic if you can’t pinpoint what’s causing you to feel tired.

If you feel like your batteries are already drained even when you haven’t done any work yet, your exhaustion may not be a result of physical or mental exertion. Take a look at these five factors that can make you feel tired and see which ones apply to you.

#1 Unhealthy Diet

An unhealthy diet means you’re not getting enough amounts of the right nutrients. And this can mean that your body is unable to produce sufficient energy to fuel you as you go through your daily routine. Because you don’t have enough energy, you’re feeling tired all the time.

Thus, one of the easiest and simplest way to ward off tiredness is to make sure you’re eating a balanced diet. Thus, you may need to adjust your diet, if only to make sure that your body is getting the right nutrients and in sufficient amounts. It may not be easy at first, but when you eat a healthful mix of vegetables, fruits, protein, grains, and dairy products, your body will be better equipped to fight off tiredness.

#2 Poor Sleep Quality

When you’re tired because you didn’t get enough sleep, it can be quite dangerous, especially if you’re driving. In fact, drowsy driving is one of the common causes of accidents in the United States. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, at least 4% of adult American drivers have experienced falling asleep at the wheel.

Four percent may not seem to be such a high number, however, it’s still significant. Drowsy driving causes tens of thousands of accidents and crashes and hundreds of deaths every year. Drivers suffering from sleep disorders, taking medications that cause drowsiness, or are simply just not getting enough sleep are likely to drive drowsy.

Aside from the risks of accidents, lack of sleep can cause a lot of unhealthy effects. It can impair your focus and concentration, which, in turn, can affect your job. When you always lack sleep, it can also increase the risks of depression as well as other medical conditions like obesity and cardiovascular diseases.

#3 Sedentary Lifestyle

If you’re feeling tired, sometimes the one thing that you really want to do is to just collapse on the couch and not move a single muscle at all. However, if you really want to re-energize yourself, you should get up and move around.

Many studies have shown that exercising, even for just 20 minutes, can boost your energy levels and help alleviate the symptoms of chronic fatigue. For restoring energy levels, moderate-intensity physical activities are best. And you don’t have to hit the gym all the time, just mowing the lawn will already count.

#4 Medical Conditions

Various medical conditions can make you feel exhausted all the time. For instance, if you have anemia, you may get tired easily. The same goes for diabetic people. Having an underactive thyroid can also make you feel fatigued. If you’re feeling sluggish, depressed, and you’ve gained weight recently, you may need to have yourself checked if you have an underactive thyroid.

Chronic fatigue syndrome, heart diseases, and vitamin and mineral deficiencies can also cause you to feel tired. Mental disorders such as anxiety and depression also often cause one to feel exhausted and rundown.

#5 Too Much Stress

If you haven’t even lifted a finger yet you already feel tired, your exhaustion may be caused by stress. Admittedly, we’re all exposed to stress in almost all aspects of our lives. Family problems, relationship issues, and work-related stress are just some of the most common stressors people face every day.

When you’re suffering from prolonged excessive stress, it can cause a lot of problems and not just physical, mental, or emotional exhaustion. Burnout, physical illnesses, and mental illnesses are common results of too much unrelieved stress. Which is why stress management is very important.

Sometimes, though when you’re in the middle of a meeting, you can’t just say you want to get some fresh air because you feel stressed and tired. This is when stress-relieving techniques like breathing exercises come in handy. But when you have the time already, try other stress relievers that make you more physically active, like taking a walk.

Dealing With Tiredness

Aside from eating a balanced diet and exercising regularly, there are many other ways for you to combat tiredness and re-energize yourself. Some people prefer taking stimulants like coffee or energy drinks, while others prefer drinking green tea.

Another option is to take herbal supplements that boost your energy level. For instance, ginseng is widely known for its restorative and energizing effects. Ginseng has been traditionally used either as a tonic or tea for increasing energy. Recent studies have also shown that ginseng has adaptogenic properties which means it helps your body ward off stress.

Ginkgo biloba is another medicinal plant that is popular for its many uses in traditional medicine. Among its various applications, ginkgo biloba is also used as an adaptogen. Scientific investigations on the beneficial properties of ginkgo biloba revealed that the plant is great for fighting stress, decreasing anxiety, and increasing energy levels.

Ashwagandha is another medicinal plant that has been shown to have anti-fatigue properties. In fact, ashwagandha is rising in popularity as an ingredient in athletic performance enhancement supplements as well as in energy drinks. Ashwagandha is also known for its calming and stress-relieving properties.

Maca is another medicinal plant that is used to relieve chronic fatigue syndrome. Aside from its stamina-boosting properties, maca is also popularly used as an ingredient in male sex enhancement and athletic performance supplements. Maca contains many antioxidants, which is why it’s well-known as a plant with various health benefits including memory and mood enhancement.