Do your hobbies include taking naps, yawning and cribbing about how tired you are all the time? Congratulations, you’re a part of the chronically exhausted majority (unless you are a new mom)!

It’s the most frustrating thing to take a full eight hours sleep and still feel too dull to carry on with the day. Unfortunately, it’s not just how much sleep you are getting that leaves you tired, it’s the little things you do or don’t, that can drain you out during the day.

Low energy is always because of some imbalance in the body, so don’t just blame your 24x7 routine for it, go through these seven unsuspecting reasons for the constant blah feeling:

1. You Skip Breakfast and Live on Junk Food

Without a good portion of carbs and proteins to kick-start the day, your body keeps on using what you consumed at dinner the night before to keep your blood pumping and oxygen flowing.

Skipping breakfast is bound to make you sluggish. Replacing it with high sugar, carbohydrates or caffeine might give you a temporary energy boost but also cause your blood sugar to plummet, leaving you lethargic and low.

2. You’re Dehydrated

You know how cranky and drained you feel when you’re hungover? Yeah, that’s dehydration. And it’s not a joke. Instead of pouring a coffee, which will dehydrate you further, grab a glass of water, or four.

3. You Are Not Consuming Enough Iron

Iron deficiency can make you feel sluggish, irritable, weak and unable to focus because less oxygen travels to the muscles and cells. And contrary to popular perception, anemia is more common in men than women.

A study done by Anthropometric and Biometric (CAB) report last month across nine northern states in India found that 75-80% of the population suffers from low iron levels or anemia.

If you suspect low iron, get a simple blood test for Rs 100 and instead of popping supplements, load up on iron-rich foods such as meat-based proteins, eggs, leafy greens and even citrus fruits which are high on vitamin C (vitamin C improves iron absorption when eaten together).

4. You’re Missing Out on Workouts or Over-doing it

It may seem counter-intuitive but exercising actually helps you feel less fatigued. People who squeeze a workout in their schedule, have the best sleep patterns.

Staying fit boosts your endorphins, helps you sleep better and keeps you in overall good health.

But don’t overdo it. There is such a thing like too much exercise. Give your body ample rest between workouts and you won’t feel like a zombie.

5. You’re Hooked On Your Phone Before Sleep

The blue light from your phones and tabs can interfere with your sleep cycle. The worst is checking your email whenever you wake up to pee because that immediately makes you more alert.

6. You’re a Perfectionist Who Has Trouble Saying No

People pleasing is exhausting! You’ll either be emotionally or physically drained. So whether it’s your neighbour self-inviting herself over dinner, or your colleague asking you to fill up for him on a Saturday, you don’t have to say yes. You can’t make everyone happy, so stop trying and start living.

And what’s with the perfectionism? Being a perfectionist is self abuse of the highest order and can sap you of energy, as you circle back and forth on tasks, wondering whether you did them well enough. The constant self doubt can be a huge stress and leave you mentally and physically tired.

7. You Love Your Nightly

Many of us reach out for a nightly to chill after a hectic day. While alcohol relaxes you initially, the chemicals in it can disrupt your sleep cycle, preventing you from entering deep sleep. Step away from the Chardonnay.

Make these lifestyle changes for a month, get your 7-8 hours of beauty sleep; and if you still can’t conk off the fatigue, see a doctor.

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