Why do I always feel drained and tired?
Rachel Davis
Updated on May 31, 2026
You may be too exhausted even to manage your daily affairs. In most cases, there's a reason for the fatigue. It might be allergic rhinitis, anemia, depression, fibromyalgia, chronic kidney disease, liver disease, lung disease (COPD), a bacterial or viral infection, or some other health condition.
How do I stop feeling tired and drained?
Self-help tips to fight tiredness
- Eat often to beat tiredness. ...
- Get moving. ...
- Lose weight to gain energy. ...
- Sleep well. ...
- Reduce stress to boost energy. ...
- Talking therapy beats fatigue. ...
- Cut out caffeine. ...
- Drink less alcohol.
Why do I feel like my energy is drained?
Fatigue is a common symptom of many illnesses, including diabetes, heart disease, arthritis, anemia, thyroid disease, and sleep apnea. Talk to your doctor if you feel unusually tired. Many medications can contribute to fatigue. These include some blood pressure medicines, antihistamines, diuretics, and other drugs.
Why do I feel drained and unmotivated?
A lack of sleep may seem to be an obvious cause of chronic fatigue, but it is a surprisingly common reason for feeling tired. Many people go through life feeling too stressed or too busy to slow down and get all of the sleep that they need to feel good.
Why am I so tired when I've done nothing?
'The reason you feel tired, lethargic and lazy after doing nothing is simply because you're allowing your body to feel that way as it is tired from the lack of stimulation and movement that it is used to. '
25 related questions foundWhat are the 3 types of fatigue?
There are three types of fatigue: transient, cumulative, and circadian: Transient fatigue is acute fatigue brought on by extreme sleep restriction or extended hours awake within 1 or 2 days.
Why do I wake up tired even after 8 hours sleep?
Waking up feeling slightly groggy or tired is just part of the human experience. It's called sleep inertia: "The transitional state between sleep and wake, marked by impaired performance … and a desire to return to sleep." The main thing to know about sleep inertia is it is completely normal.
Why do I have no energy or motivation to do anything?
Avolition is often a symptom of schizophrenia, a mental disorder that affects how you think, feel, and act. It can also be a sign of severe depression or a side effect of certain medicines. If you don't get treatment, avolition can affect every part of your life, from your relationships to your job.
How can I get my motivation back?
Ways to stay motivated
- Regularly review your goals and progress. ...
- Continue to set new goals. ...
- Keep the momentum up. ...
- Find mentors – a mentor is someone who is experienced in the habit you want to change. ...
- Surround yourself with positive people. ...
- Use exercise as one of your daily goals to improve your mental health.
Can depression make you have no energy?
There are significant links between depression and exhaustion. If you are living with depression, feeling too tired to do anything is probably a common occurrence. When you are depressed, your energy levels tend to decline, with symptoms such as sadness and emptiness further exacerbating feelings of fatigue.
How can I boost my energy?
Top 10 Energy Boosters
- Increase Your Magnesium Intake. ...
- Walk Around the Block. ...
- Take a Power Nap. ...
- Don't Skip Breakfast -- or Any Other Meal. ...
- Reduce Stress and Deal With Anger. ...
- Drink More Water and Less Alcohol. ...
- Eat More Whole Grains and Less Sugar. ...
- Have a Power Snack.
How do you know if you're mentally exhausted?
What are the symptoms of mental exhaustion?
- Feeling a lack of interest in normal activities.
- A lack of motivation at work and in your personal life.
- A sense of languishing or lack of purpose in life.
- Moodiness and irritability.
- Getting easily annoyed with others.
- Cynicism, doubt, and pessimism.
Why is my energy so low female?
Iron deficiency (anemia)
Hormonal and lifestyle differences like pregnancy, menstruation, and menopause mean that women need more iron than men in their diet, but few women actually get as much as they need. The result—anemia's—most common symptoms include fatigue and weakness.
What is the best vitamin for tiredness?
The 5 Best Vitamins for Energy & Tiredness
- Vitamin B1 (Thiamin) ...
- Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin) ...
- Vitamin B3 (Niacin) ...
- Vitamin B5 (Pantothenic acid) ...
- Vitamin B6 (Pyridoxine)
What foods get rid of fatigue?
Foods That Beat Fatigue
- Unprocessed foods.
- Fruits and vegetables.
- Non-caffeinated beverages.
- Lean proteins.
- Whole grains and complex carbs.
- Nuts.
- Water.
- Vitamins and supplements.
Why do I have no ambition?
Another common reason that people lack motivation and ambition has its origins in psychological chemical imbalances and depression. Depression turns an average job into a horrible one, and it strips a person of all will power. When depression strikes, motivation shatters.
Why do I have no motivation for life?
Mental health issues.
A lack of motivation is a common symptom of depression. It can also be linked to other mental illnesses, like anxiety. So it's important to consider whether your mental health may be affecting your motivation level.
How can I wake up with energy and motivation?
Bring back some morning motivation into your routine
- Exercise. ...
- Don't snooze. ...
- Set an alarm to something you enjoy. ...
- Turn your light on straight away. ...
- Dress in something you feel good in. ...
- Have a good breakfast. ...
- Music. ...
- Drink water.
What drug gives you energy and motivation?
Ritalin works by increasing the amount of dopamine released in the striatum, a key region in the brain related to motivation, action and cognition.
When is fatigue serious?
If the fatigue is associated with chest pain, shortness of breath, irregular heart rate, or sense of imminent passing out, these are urgent conditions that warrant immediate medical attention. These could be symptoms of a serious heart condition or major vascular insufficiency.
How do I wake up refreshed?
Magic Mornings
- Sleep (Obviously!). The best way to wake up refreshed is to get seven to nine hours of sleep each night, says Singh, who stresses the importance of establishing good sleep habits. ...
- Work with your sleep cycle. ...
- Consider a.m. exercise. ...
- Eat a solid breakfast. ...
- Do something that brings you joy. ...
- Don't hit snooze.
Why am I sleeping 12 hours a day and still tired?
Characteristics of hypersomnia
In extreme cases, a person with hypersomnia might sleep soundly at night for 12 hours or more, but still feel the need to nap during the day. Sleeping and napping may not help, and the mind may remain foggy with drowsiness.
What deficiency causes extreme fatigue?
When your body does not receive enough vitamin B12 you may feel fatigued and tired all the time. It can also lead to weakness. Vitamin B12 deficiency affects the production of red blood cells which affect the transportation of oxygen throughout the body. This further contributes to tiredness.
Does anxiety cause fatigue?
Fatigue is one of the most common symptoms associated with anxiety, panic disorder, chronic stress, depression and other mental health disorders. Chronic anxiety leaves the body and mind in a constant state of tension and high alertness.