Why Do I Feel Tired All the Time? 9 Common Reasons

Aging is a lot of things, but feeling tired all the time shouldn't be one of them. It’s normal to feel fatigued from time to time, and you might occasionally enjoy a quick afternoon nap. However, if you feel tired most of the day and eight hours of sleep doesn’t help, there may be a cause for concern.

If fatigue lasts for weeks, then seek medical advice. Sometimes, such tiredness is a sign of illness or an underlying health condition. That said, the following could be the reasons why you are tired all the time:

9 Reasons You Feel Tired All The Time

1. Vitamin/Mineral Deficiency

   Low levels of certain vitamins or minerals can cause fatigue for some people. For example, lower Vitamin B-12 or Vitamin D levels can lead to less energy. A lack of minerals like potassium, magnesium, and iron can also trigger this. A primary care physician or nutritionist can help you understand which nutrients your body lacks and recommend dietary changes or supplements.

   
   

2. Weight

   Excess body weight can also contribute to constantly feeling tired. Aside from the extra effort required to move about with extra pounds onboard, overweight people are more likely to suffer from sleep apnea. This condition is characterized by symptoms such as loud snoring accompanied by gasping and choking. According to the American Academy of Sleep Medicine, even if sufferers think they had a good night's sleep, they may be experiencing multiple breathing interruptions per hour during sleep. This can lead to excessive daytime sleepiness.

   
   

3. Sedentary Lifestyle

   Staying active plays a big role in how energized you feel throughout the day. When your body isn’t moving enough, it can actually make you feel more tired—not less. A sedentary lifestyle slows your metabolism, weakens your muscles, and can even mess with your sleep quality, all of which contribute to that constant feeling of fatigue. The good news is that you don’t need an intense workout routine to see a difference. Something as simple as a daily walk, light stretching, or low-impact activities like swimming or cycling can help kickstart your energy levels. If you're not sure where to begin, your doctor can help recommend an activity plan that fits your current health and comfort level. The key is consistency, not intensity.

   
   

4. Stress

   Ongoing stress can wear you down—physically and mentally. One of the most common signs is feeling tired all the time, even after a full night’s sleep. When your body is under stress, it releases hormones like adrenaline and cortisol to help you cope. That’s useful in short bursts, but when stress sticks around, those hormones stay elevated and start doing more harm than good. You might notice muscle tension, headaches, digestive issues, or a general sense of being drained. Over time, your body simply can’t sustain that level of alertness, which leads to constant fatigue. Managing stress through rest, support, and healthy coping tools is essential for getting your energy back.

   
   

5. Poor diet

   As we get older, it’s common for appetite to decline due to changes in metabolism, hormones, or even medications. But when you’re not eating enough—or not getting the right balance of nutrients—your body can run low on fuel. One of the clearest signs is feeling tired or weak throughout the day. Skipping meals or not eating enough can cause drops in blood sugar, which directly affects your energy levels. Making sure you're eating regularly and getting a balanced mix of protein, healthy fats, and complex carbs can help prevent that drained feeling. If appetite loss is ongoing, it's worth bringing up with a doctor or dietitian.

   
   

6. Lack of Sleep at Night

   Lack of quality sleep is one of the most common reasons people feel tired during the day. Most adults need seven to nine hours a night, and older adults may need even more to feel rested. But sleep often takes a hit—late nights, inconsistent routines, or screen time before bed can all interfere with how well you sleep. Over time, poor sleep adds up and leaves you dragging through the day.

   
   

   Good sleep habits make a big difference. That means keeping your bedroom dark and quiet, avoiding screens and heavy meals close to bedtime, and sticking to a regular sleep schedule. If those changes don’t help, it’s worth talking to your doctor about other options. There may be underlying issues, like sleep apnea or restless leg syndrome, that need attention.

   
   

7. Depression

   Fatigue is a common symptom of depression. It can show up as a lack of energy, trouble staying awake during the day, or the opposite—difficulty falling or staying asleep at night. When sleep is disrupted like this, it’s no surprise that you wake up feeling just as tired as when you went to bed. Over time, this cycle of poor sleep and low mood can feed into each other, making both worse. If you’re feeling persistently down, unmotivated, or exhausted without a clear cause, depression might be playing a role. In that case, it's important to reach out to a healthcare provider—treating the underlying depression can often help improve sleep and restore energy.

   
   

8. Medication Side Effects

   Certain medications can cause side effects like trouble sleeping at night or feeling unusually tired during the day. In some cases, these effects happen because of how different drugs interact with each other. If you’ve started a new prescription or changed your dosage and notice a drop in your energy, it’s worth checking in with your doctor or pharmacist. They can review your medications and see if adjustments are needed to help you feel more alert and rested.

   
   

9. Chronic Fatigue

   If none of the causes above seem to fit, consider the possibility that you suffer from chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS). CFS has many possible causes, including autoimmune disorders, infections, genetics, and stress. Other causes might be hormonal imbalances or cardiovascular issues. Ultimately, your doctor will need to evaluate your condition to determine if CFS is the cause of your tiredness.

   
   

Most of us feel episodes of fatigue more frequently as we age. However, it doesn’t mean you need to suffer unnecessarily. Work with your healthcare provider to uncover the causes of your ongoing fatigue. You may find that lifestyle or medication changes could help put more energy back into your daily life.

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