Been napping a lot lately? This may be why

There are many reasons you may feel more tired than usual. Here are some to consider.

There aren’t many things as satisfying as restful, quality sleep. After a good night’s sleep, you should feel rejuvenated and ready to tackle the day. If you don’t get enough sleep at night, taking a nap may help you catch up on missed shut-eye once in a while. And sometimes it’s okay to take an occasional nap even if you sleep well at night. But if you find yourself napping a lot or more than usual, even after a solid night’s sleep, there may be an underlying reason that’s causing you to feel tired during the day.

If you’re sleeping enough at night but still find yourself yearning for a nap more than just occasionally, it’s a good idea to bring up your napping habit with your doctor. He or she can check for health issues that may be causing your sleepiness.

Here are four reasons why you may feel tired during the day:

You may have a thyroid condition

The thyroid is a gland located in your neck that produces hormones that play a role in weight management, body temperature and more. If your thyroid gland is not functioning properly, you may feel more tired than usual.

It is common for people who have both underactive and overactive thyroid – also known as hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism – to feel tired. Finding out whether you have a thyroid issue is as easy as having your health care provider order a blood test. If you do have a thyroid condition, it can often be treated with medication.
You may be suffering from depression

If you are constantly tired and lack the desire to do the things you used to enjoy doing, your sleepiness may be a symptom of depression. While symptoms vary, some reports suggest that 90% of people who have major depressive disorder experience fatigue.

Depression is something that can be diagnosed by your health care provider. There are a variety of treatments available that can help treat depression and minimize any symptoms you may feel.
Your diet may be lacking critical nutrients
If you don’t eat a variety of healthy foods, you may not be getting all the nutrients your body needs. Some vitamins and minerals are critical to keeping your body energized and your metabolism going strong. Not getting adequate amounts can zap your energy.

Key nutrients to make sure you’re getting enough of if you’re often tired include:
- Vitamin B12 – found in meats, milk and nutritional yeast
- Iron – found in red meat and green leafy vegetables
- Vitamin C – found in citrus fruit and kiwis
You may not be exercising enough

Sitting all day can make you feel sluggish. Even though it seems like you need energy to exercise, in many cases the reverse is true. Moving your body can give you an energy boost and help you feel more revitalized.

Studies show that people who move more tend to report lower levels of fatigue. That means that even if you feel tired, being physically active can make a difference in your energy level. So instead of giving into your fatigue and curling up on the couch for a cat nap, take a walk, do an online exercise class or head to the gym. It’ll help you wake up and will do your body a world of good.