Are these items causing your fatigue?

Fatigue can make you feel unable to handle the simplest task. However, you can identify the cause and treat it. Instead of reaching for another source of caffeine, consider finding the root cause of your weariness.

Fatigue doesn’t have to ruin your life, and you can fight it.

These issues might be causing you to feel tired:​

Dehydration. You may be feeling sluggish because you’re not hydrated. Instead of coffee or energy drinks, try water first. Water will hydrate your body and increase your energy levels. It’s an easy and quick way to treat fatigue.
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​Skipping breakfast. If you skip breakfast, then you’re at a higher risk of fatigue.

• Breakfast helps you get the fuel you need for the rest of the day. It’s important not to skip it because it can leave you tired.
• A good breakfast will have a mixture of proteins, carbohydrates, and healthy fats. One way you can fight fatigue is to eat nutrient dense food that will help you feel full longer. Try scrambled eggs with cheese and avocado on top and a handful of blueberries on the side.  Yum!  

Low iron levels. If your iron levels are too low, you will feel tired. Anemia is characterized by feelings of sluggishness and fatigue. Talk to your doctor about your fatigue and get your iron levels tested.

• If you’re lacking iron, eat plenty of iron-rich food. Meat isn’t the only source of iron. You can also find this important nutrient in eggs, nuts, green leafy vegetables, and kidney beans.

• It’s important to consume vitamin C with your iron. They work together in the body, so you want to make sure you’re getting both.
• If you’re vegan or vegetarian, make sure you take your B vitamin complex.

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High amounts of sugar and junk food. These items raise your blood sugar levels and then make them drop, causing you to feel tired.

• Fatigue is a common issue associated with blood sugar spikes and falls during the day.
• You can fight this type of fatigue by avoiding simple carbohydrates and high amounts of sugar.

• You can also eat foods that are higher in protein to help you feel full for a longer time, so you don’t feel the need to snack on junk food. Items such as meat, brown rice, sweet potatoes, peanut butter and more can help you control these spikes.

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Caffeine addiction. An addiction to coffee, energy drinks, and other sources of caffeine can make you feel tired.

• High amounts of caffeine can affect your sleep and waking cycles. If you’re not able to sleep, then your next morning will likely be filled with fatigue. Drinking more caffeine simply makes the condition worse.
• Try to cut down on your caffeine intake.

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Glare of technology. The light created by your Smartphone, tablet, computer, or other device can affect the melatonin levels in your body. Our brain can only produce the melatonin in the darkness.  Deficient melatonin makes it more difficult for you to fall asleep and stay asleep, and you’re tired the next day.

• The solution is to avoid using these devices for a few hours before you go to bed.

Fatigue can be caused by multiple factors, but you can work with your doctor to find the one that is affecting you. You can treat fatigue and fill your life with more energy.