Reasons You May Be Waking Up Tired

Are you hitting the hay early only to wake up the next morning feeling lethargic? Do you actively try to get your eight hours of sleep only to find that you still feel lifeless when you roll out of bed? Trying to manage a busy schedule and getting enough sleep can be exhausting. What’s even more frustrating is when you take every step imaginable to enhance the quality of your sleep, only to wake up without any energy or pep in your step.

Did you know constantly waking up tired can indicate underlying health problems? If you experience morning fatigue or wake up without feeling refreshed, these may be the first signs of an undiagnosed sleep disorder. Why are you still tired in the morning? Take a deep dive into your sleep habits to find out.

Reasons You May Be Waking Up Tired 

There are many different reasons you may be waking up tired, including:

• Anxiety or stress
• Sleep disorders like insomnia and sleep apnea
• Diet
• Lack of physical activity
• Consuming caffeine or alcohol close to bedtime
• Irregular sleep schedule
• Too much screen time before bed
• Poor sleep environment

One of these factors is enough to affect the quality of your sleep and leave you feeling tired the next day. However, long-term sleep problems are often the product of several of these issues working in concert. You can take practical steps to help uncover the reason for your morning fatigue by slowly adjusting your bedtime routine. Increase your physical activity one week and see how that affects your sleep. The following week, decrease your screen time before bed. By making minor quality-of-life adjustments, you may be able to find the root cause of your morning fatigue.

Signs of Morning Fatigue 

Poor sleep quality can manifest as a general tired or sleepy feeling when waking up the next day. However, there are other signs that you may be tired and experiencing morning fatigue, such as:

• Headache
• Lightheadedness
• Lingering fatigue
• General weakness
• Excessive sleepiness

Consider an Undiagnosed Sleep Disorder 

Sometimes, the underlying cause of poor sleep and morning fatigue stems from an undiagnosed sleep condition. The American Academy of Sleep Medicine estimates that undiagnosed sleep apnea costs U.S. adults nearly $149.6 billion in lost productivity, motor vehicle accidents, and accidents in the workplace. Untreated sleep apnea can also increase the costs associated with health complications like cardiovascular disease and diabetes. 

Obstructive sleep apnea occurs when a person’s breathing is interrupted or stops while they sleep. When the tongue and muscles in the mouth and throat relax, they can narrow the airway and interpret or obstruct breathing. According to Johns Hopkins Medicine, up to 90 percent of people with obstructive sleep apnea don’t know they have the condition. 

Signs of sleep apnea can include: 

• Snoring 
• Headache
• Feeling tired the following morning
• Sore throat upon waking up 
• Irritability
• Mental fog or confusion 

Silent Night Therapy Can Help You Get Better Sleep 

The correct diagnosis can lead to better sleep. At Silent Night Therapy, our sleep specialists can help you get to the bottom of your sleep issues so you can finally wake up feeling rejuvenated and refreshed. Call our team today at 631-983-2463 to arrange a complimentary sleep consultation.