How to Not Be Tired

Prioritize Sleep Consistency

Sleep hygiene is a way of describing everyday habits that improve your nighttime rest. One key to improving your sleep hygiene is to make sure you set aside enough time to get at least 7 hours of sleep each night. While this may sound simple, more than 30% of adults Trusted Source National Library of Medicine, Biotech Information The National Center for Biotechnology Information advances science and health by providing access to biomedical and genomic information. View Source sleep less than seven hours each night.

In addition, tiredness often develops after a period of sleep deprivation. Missing even a few hours of sleep can cause a person to wake up feeling tired and struggle to stay alert Trusted Source National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) The NHLBI is the nation's leader in the prevention and treatment of heart, lung, blood and sleep disorders. View Source during the day. Multiple nights of partial sleep loss can add up, resulting in a sleep debt that can be just as debilitating as skipping an entire night of sleep.

While it may be tempting to sleep in later on weekends, large shifts in your sleep patterns can unsettle your sleep-wake rhythms. If you decide to get up early or to sleep in, try not to shift your habitual sleep schedule by more than an hour.

Soak Up Morning Light

Whether a person feels tired or alert at any given time is mainly driven by their circadian rhythm, or the 24-hour clock that regulates processes within the body. Some people have advanced circadian rhythms (early birds) and some have delayed rhythms (night owls). However, everyone can feel excessive daytime sleepiness as a result of circadian shifts.

Changes to your environment, specifically your daylight exposure, can cause a change in the natural production of the sleep-promoting hormone melatonin. Well-timed exposure to light can help align your circadian rhythms Trusted Source Administration for Community Living The Administration for Community Living was created around the fundamental principle that older adults and people of all ages with disabilities should be able to live where they choose, with the people they choose, and with the ability to participate fully in their communities. View Source to the natural cycle of daylight and darkness. Research suggests that exposure to natural light in the morning may help you feel more energized during the day and fall asleep earlier at night.

Get Active

Physical activity is associated with an abundance of health benefits, including improved sleep. Experts recommend starting small and working towards 150 minutes Trusted Source Medline Plus MedlinePlus is an online health information resource for patients and their families and friends. View Source of activity each week. But it is best to avoid more strenuous and stimulating exercise too close to bedtime – at least 2 or 3 hours before.

In addition, experts today believe sleep and exercise have a bidirectional relationship. Insufficient or poor-quality sleep can lead to lower levels of physical activity the following day.

Check Your Diet

What you eat can affect how well you sleep and how alert you feel during the day. For instance, having low blood sugar can make you feel tired, but so can consuming too many foods and drinks that are high in sugar Trusted Source Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) As the nation’s health protection agency, CDC saves lives and protects people from health threats. View Source . For overall nutrition, experts recommend moderating your intake of saturated and trans fats and focusing on a diet that includes a wide variety of foods.

Eating too late, smoking cigarettes, drinking alcohol, or consuming caffeine can interfere with your sleep. Try eating dinner more than two hours before bedtime, cutting back on cigarettes and nicotine products, and avoiding alcohol right before bed. Also, avoid caffeine in the late afternoon and evening, since it can linger in the body for up to eight hours increasing your likelihood of fragmented sleep.

“Think of caffeine as an anti-sleep agent which works every time. Caffeine is a long-acting stimulant and works longer than you may think. Even if you may not realize it, caffeine just doesn’t let you have a solid, restful sleep.”

Dr. Pranshu Adavadkar

Sleep Medicine Physician

Try a Midday Nap

In many cases, tiredness is the body’s way of signaling that it needs sleep. Napping can be a helpful tool for reducing daytime sleepiness. Research shows that, although not a substitute Trusted Source Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) As the nation’s health protection agency, CDC saves lives and protects people from health threats. View Source for quality sleep, naps can help you make up for sleep debt, feel more alert, and improve your daytime performance.

To get the most out of a nap, find a comfortable place to rest, set an alarm, and use ear plugs and an eye mask to minimize distractions. Ideally, daytime naps should be around 20 minutes. This allows you to gain the benefits of a short rest without feeling grogginess after waking.

Stay Hydrated

Tiredness can result from dehydration Trusted Source Medline Plus MedlinePlus is an online health information resource for patients and their families and friends. View Source , so make sure that you are drinking plenty of fluids during the day. Water is an easy way to stay hydrated, though some of your daily liquids can also come from other drinks and foods that contain high amounts of water, like fruits and vegetables. Although should adults try to consume around 2 to 3 liters of water a day Trusted Source National Library of Medicine, Biotech Information The National Center for Biotechnology Information advances science and health by providing access to biomedical and genomic information. View Source , you should generally also increase your fluid consumption during hot weather, after exercise, and when you are ill.

Minimize Light Sources

Your circadian rhythms are highly sensitive to light exposure in the hours right before bedtime. It may help to switch off or dim lamps and other light sources as you wind down. This also means turning off computers, smartphones, and TVs before bed, since the blue light emitted by screens can increase the time it takes to fall asleep.

Wind Down

As evening approaches, create a routine Trusted Source Medline Plus MedlinePlus is an online health information resource for patients and their families and friends. View Source that prepares you for restful sleep. Try scheduling at least an hour in the evening for quiet activities that help you relax. Try out different activities to find what works best for you, like journaling, reading, or taking a warm bath. To further enhance relaxation, consider using relaxation techniques like deep breathing or meditation.

Improve Your Bedroom

Healthy sleep hygiene also involves designing your bedroom for restful sleep. Set your bedroom to a cool yet comfortable temperature, and keep your sleep space free from noises, lights, or distractions that may wake you up at night. 

Try to establish an association between your bed and solid sleep. This means trying not to eat, work, or watch TV in bed. In addition, do your best not to lie awake in bed for more than 20 or 30 minutes. If you are having a hard time falling asleep, get out of bed and find a way to relax until you feel tired again.

Get a Checkup

It may be time to contact your doctor when sleepiness begins to interfere with your ability to function during the day. A checkup with your doctor can help find the cause of unexplained tiredness. Your doctor can review your sleep habits with you to look for issues that may be making you tired.

Many medical conditions and sleep disorders can cause people to be tired during the day. Your doctor can also discuss any medications and supplements that may be causing your daytime alertness.

Daytime tiredness is associated with several mental health conditions, so it may be helpful to check in with a mental health professional about your symptoms. Additionally, mental health professionals can help you improve your sleep hygiene. While improving sleep hygiene may sound simple, it can be challenging to change long-term habits that interfere with sleep. Counselors and other mental health professionals have a variety of tools to help you make lasting lifestyle changes.

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