How to stop feeling tired

Why am I always tired?

As our worlds become busier, our bodies and minds give into constant fatigue and poor health. Long commuting hours, 9-to-9 jobs, continuous use of social media and a demanding life, in general, have made a sizable percentage of the population experience constant tiredness.

So, how to stop feeling tired all the time? 

Before looking at the reasons for tiredness and ways to overcome tiredness, let us look at another pertinent question.

What happens to you when you are feeling weak

When you are tired, you are low on prana, the life force. It is prana that nourishes our minds and keeps our bodies alive. Without prana, the body perishes. Low prana leads to poor mental health and a weak physical body. Food, breath, meditation, and sleep are the four sources of prana.

Feeling tired all the time

The three types of tiredness

A weak prana affects the three realms of existence: the body, mind, and emotions. So, you could be experiencing physical, mental and emotional tiredness. Any of these could make you feel tired all the time.

Physical tiredness: You can overcome physical exhaustion with rest. 

Mental tiredness: This happens by overthinking, which wears you out. Our mind is tired with desires, do’s and don'ts. There are some things you can do while some that you can’t. You get miserable when you think about things that you can’t do. Surrender these to the Divine, and give him a chance to make it alright. You can overcome mental tiredness with pranayama, yoga and meditation. 

Emotional tiredness: This includes heartburn, fear and anxiety, which can be overcome by listening to chants.

Why do you feel tired all the time

The reasons why you feel tired all the time are the same reasons that suck your prana or energy. What are some of the reasons for tiredness?

  1. Inadequate and irregular sleep

You must have often wondered, “Why do I feel sleepy all the time”? 

One of the reasons for feeling tired all the time can be due to lack of sleep. More than 55% of Indians are getting less than six hours of sleep, which is an alarming figure. Inadequate sleep is the most common cause of tiredness and is linked to several health conditions like heart disease, kidney disease, high blood pressure, depression, obesity, diabetes, and stroke. Are you working long hours? Do you watch late-night movies often? If yes, then you are probably sleeping at odd hours, and need to change gears to get quality sleep

  1. Vitamin deficiencies

Inadequate nutrition and vitamin deficiencies like that of Vitamin D and Vitamin B12 are common reasons for tiredness. Poor dietary choices like frequent intake of fast food, a sugar-rich diet, and an imbalanced diet contribute to vitamin deficiencies. Insufficient exposure to sunlight causes Vitamin D deficiency. A blood test can reveal the deficiencies that you are going through.

3. Stress

“Too much to do, too little time, and no energy, that is called stress.”

~ Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar

Stress is one of the main culprits. It makes you feel tired all the time. Stress could be due to work pressures, health concerns, performance issues,  family responsibilities, or simply lack of time. Any of these could easily sap your energy levels, making you tired all the time.

4. Health history

Covid-19, thyroid problems, weight issues, blood pressure fluctuations, and iron deficiency are some common ailments that pull down your energy reserves.  Ayurveda, pranayama, and Sudarshan Kriya can help you manage your health better. These are side-effect-free tools with long-term health benefits.

Are you really healthy?

 

Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar has stated that good health is not just an absence of disease. It also includes a quiver-free breath, stress-free mind, inhibition-free intellect, obsession-free memory, ego that includes all, and a sorrow-free soul.

 

5. Poor mental health

Depression, anxiety, eating disorders, and substance abuse deteriorate one’s mental health and consequently drain energy levels. You are likely to feel more exhausted because of these conditions.

Now that we have identified what causes your fatigue, the next logical question is, what can you do about it?

How to stop feeling tired all the time

Here are a few suggestions.

Four things can pump your source of energy: food, sleep, breath, and a happy mind, which can be your perfect answer to how to stop feeling tired all the time. Let us see how we can tap all four of these.

Check your diet

Certain foods have the quality to raise your energy levels, while some can pull your energy down. Some facts about the impact of food on your energy levels:

  • Freshly cooked food items are more energizing than processed and refrigerated food items. 
  • Overeating and eating late affect one’s metabolism and energy levels adversely.
  • Fresh juices and smoothies rank much higher than caffeinated drinks on the food energy spectrum.
  • Dehydration pulls down your energy levels while staying hydrated keeps you fresh and keeps your metabolism healthy.

 

Sleep better

A few guidelines that can help you experience eight hours of quality sleep.

  • Turn off the blue light one hour before you go to bed. Blue light affects your circadian rhythm, adversely affecting your sleep pattern.
  • Keep a gap of three hours between dinner and sleep to allow better digestion.
  • Practice Sudarshan Kriya. It has been proven to deepen the restful stages of sleep by three times. 
  • Follow more basic sleep hygiene tips to improve your sleep quality.

 

Practice breathing exercises

Breathing exercises are excellent techniques if you want to  stop feeling tired all the time. Pranayama is a group of yogic breathing exercises that raise your prana. Every pranayama has unique benefits. We recommend the following pranayama to boost your energy levels.

 

  • Bhastrika pranayama: Bhastrika refers to the vigorous filling and emptying (inhaling and exhaling) of the lungs and abdomen during this exercise. Bhastrika instantly energizes. Practice this pranayama anytime you feel tired, but make sure you are on an empty stomach.
  • Nadi Shodhan pranayama: Nadi Shodhan or Alternate nostril breathing exercise is a balancing and calming pranayama that you can practice for five to ten minutes every morning. It helps to control anxiety and stress.

 

Bonus Prana boosting activity: Sukshma Yoga or desktop yoga exercises also help in the movement of prana and help you relax in a short time, getting rid of your visible and invisible weariness.

 

Take charge of your mind

When you are happy, your energy levels are naturally pumped up. That is why it is essential to take care of your mind. A few self-care tips that can go a long way in helping you stop feeling tired all the time. 

 

  • Meditate: Meditation helps remove negative thoughts and emotions. A calm and peaceful mind is a natural source of energy. Meditating for 20 minutes a day is a good start.
  • Practice Sudarshan Kriya: A breathing technique that helps remove stress and anxiety and improve your overall mental well-being.
  • Cultivate a habit to stay happy: According to Patanjali Yoga Sutras, practicing contentment gives one incomparable happiness. Focus on things that you are grateful for. Nurture a habit of staying happy.

 

Learn how to stop feeling tired all the time at our Online Meditation and Breath Workshop.

Based on inputs by Amol Wagle, Faculty, The Art of Living

Related Links

7 ways to a good night’s sleep

Meditation for sleep: Release your worries

7 reasons why you don’t wake up feeling recharged

Learn to overcome fatigue with these 9 yoga tips

 

FAQ's to get rid of tiredness