Why are you always so tired?
If you find yourself falling asleep despite multiple morning alarms, or wishing you had a place at work where you could snooze during the day, you may be suffering from fatigue or exhaustion. Although there are medical reasons for feeling tired all the time, fatigue that is not related to a specific medical problem can be caused by things like lack of or interrupted sleep, poor diet, stress, depression, lack of exercise, jet lag, etc. It can be caused by a variety of things, Maura says. Henninger, ND, Naturopathic Physician in New York. Fortunately, you may be able to find natural remedies to reduce fatigue. “Herbal medicine is great at supporting certain types of fatigue, particularly issues related to the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, which governs the body’s stress response,” says Dr. Henninger. “And who doesn’t feel overly stressed these days? Herbs are great for regulating the body’s stress response.”
The next time you find yourself reaching for caffeine or sugar to deal with a daytime slump, consider these home remedies. And have a laugh too with these funny motivational quotes.
licorice root
If fatigue sends you into zombie mode and you reach for multiple cups of coffee a day, you may have adrenal fatigue. Although not considered a true medical diagnosis, adrenal fatigue is the name given to a collection of symptoms, including body aches, digestive problems, fatigue, irritability, and insomnia.
The adrenal glands, located at the top of the kidneys, are responsible for producing cortisol. This hormone plays an important role in the body’s stress response, but when stress continues, the glands produce insufficient levels of cortisol, which can lead to a loss of strength. Dr. Henninger says standardized licorice root is a commonly used natural remedy for this type of constant fatigue.
This herb has been used in Ayurvedic and Chinese medicine for thousands of years to help regulate normal system function and help the body better cope with stress. To restore cortisol levels, look for standardized licorice root in extract or tablet form. If you are taking blood thinners, potassium, or blood pressure medications, consult your doctor before taking licorice root. Because licorice, even in large amounts, can cause an increase in blood pressure. (Are you tired? Check out her 3 causes of fatigue you don’t know about.)
