Yawning? 6 Surprising Reasons Why You're Exhausted
Sure, getting enough sleep is the biggest way to beat the 4:00 yawning session (I swear, there is something about this time--weirdly, I could fall asleep at 4 p.m. everyday!), but did you know that several other surprising things could be making you sleepy? Here are some unlikely yawn-inducers...
WebMD recently ran a piece about the most common reasons for feeling tired. Here are some:
1. A hidden UTI: In some cases, fatigue may be the only sign of a urinary tract infection, reports WebMD. If you suspect something's up (and you have pain and burning when you pee) talk to your doc. A urine test can quickly confirm a UTI.
2. Your diet: If you're not eating enough, you will be tired. Calories = energy, my friends. (I feel like I sounded just like John McCain when I wrote that.)
See our tips: 10 Things He's Thinking When You're Naked
3. Food allergies you didn't know you had: Some doctors believe that exhaustion could be a sign of hidden food allergies.
4. Caffeine overload: You probably reach for more coffee when you're tired, but experts say that too much caffeine can sometimes backfire, causing you to feel more fatigued. Maybe skip the triple-venti today.
5. Undetected thyroid problems: Fatigue is one symptom of a thyroid condition called hypothyroidism. Fortunately, this is such a treatable thing (I have it, and just pop a pill each day--no biggie). Most health experts concur that every woman should have her thyroid levels tested every few years (just a simple blood test) to rule out any such conditions (they're common in women).
P.S. I'd add a sixth: your snoring man. My husband snores, and it makes it so hard for me to get to sleep most nights. I told you about a new product called Brez that he was going to try. Well, he tried it! The verdict: While it didn't stop his snoring completely, it has helped. Somehow the snoring has gotten softer and less intense. Hey, I'll settle for any improvement!
Are you sleepy today? What do you blame your fatigue on? The baby? Your job? Stress?
More reading: Here's how to outsmart your sleepy self and get to the gym in the a.m.! And, 7 ways to get better beauty sleep.
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