The Royal College of Psychiatrists claims that one in five people feel unusually tired at some point in their lives. A further one in ten people suffer from prolonged fatigue. It is not a nice experience to feel unusually tired. It is particularly unpleasant to feel unusually tired all of the time. It feels like wading through treacle, every task is achieved only by sheer resistance against the tide of sleepiness that threatens to engulf you, you feel so tired you could lie down in the street and fall asleep. Tiredness like this has a number of different causes and hence a number of different remedies. It is worth experimenting and seeing what works for you. Every body is different.

Eat for Energy

What we eat is incredibly important for how we feel. Many of us reach for stimulants such as sugar, caffeine, nicotine, or carbohydrates when were tired. Eating like this makes our blood sugar levels fluctuate wildly giving us intense periods of tiredness after a brief lift. If you ever try to give any of these stimulants up you will see firsthand how aggressively they can affect your energy levels. When I kicked the coffee I was literally exhausted for about three weeks. My body gradually readdressed the balance and created the energy for its self. Having a healthy, balanced diet will improve your energy levels. Eat lots of fruit, vegetables and lean protein and make sure you drink plenty of water.

Energize with Exercise

I know that exercising is the last thing you feel like doing when your body feels like lead and your head like cotton wool. However, exercise will lift your energy levels. The more you exercise, the more your body produces energy. Forty minutes at least four times a week of rigorous exercise is recommended. If you try this for a month you will definitely notice the difference. Keep it up for three to six months and you will feel remarkably more energized.

Consider Your Lifestyle

Although in some cases there are medical reasons for ongoing tiredness, in many people the lack of energy seems to be caused by the buildup of daily stresses and circumstances of lifestyle. It is worth evaluating whether there are any lifestyles tweaks you can make. Medical practitioners are often amazed by the numbers of people complaining of extreme fatigue who are regularly drinking alcohol. Alcohol will deplete your energy. It may be that your workload is too busy and you need to find a way to delegate. Or there could be areas of your life that are particularly draining or stressful. Discovering ways to lighten your load may help your energy levels increase, as will eliminating some of the features that you find most draining or depleting. Try to invest more time in the things that cause you to feel uplifted.

Get Adequate Sleep

Nearly a third of us in the Western world are suffering from sleep deprivation. Sleep is absolutely fundamental to feeling energized and for a sense of well-being. Whether we want to or not, disciplining ourselves into a regular sleep routine will benefit us enormously. This means going to bed and getting up at the same time each day, even when its the weekend. Dont exercise within three hours of bedtime and have a period of time, pre-lights out, with no electronic devices. You do not want to be stimulated. You want to give your mind a chance to switch off. Creating a tranquil, dark, sleeping environment is important. Using aromatherapy oils such as lavender oil can also help create soothing sleep. Some people find meditation practice to be beneficial too.

Have a Medical Check

Occasionally, extreme tiredness can be caused by nutritional deficiency or a medical condition. A medical condition is likely to be accompanied by additional symptoms. Many nutritional deficiencies and medical conditions can be identified via simple blood tests. The most common deficiencies are a deficiency of Iron (otherwise known as Anemia), a Vitamin D deficiency, (particularly prevalent in countries where there is less natural sun) and a deficiency in Potassium. All deficiencies can be treated with a supplement, or with consuming vitamin rich foods. Medically, it is possible that extreme tiredness can be caused by an under or over active thyroid, conditions such as chronic fatigue syndrome, depression, anxiety, post traumatic stress disorder and diabetes. Your doctor would be able to advise you accordingly. Also common and worth researching is dietary requirements and supplements for the adrenal glands. The adrenal glands are responsible for the secretion of the stress hormone. After prolonged periods of stress it is possible that they have become somewhat frazzled, which would result in feeling burnt out much of the time. Aside from literature which can be easily sourced, doctors and nutritionists may be able to assist you with this.