Five things that tire you out

MANILA, Philippines – If you often feel sluggish, addle-brained or just plain worn-out even at the start of your day, these 5 things identified in an article on WomensHealthMag.com may be the culprit.

Read on to find out how you can eliminate these 5 stress-makers from your life.

#1- Dehydration

Even just moderate dehydration, which takes away 3% of your body weight, can make you feel exhausted and mess with your concentration. Keep yourself hydrated by faithfully following the 8-glasses-of-water-a-day rule and bringing a jug of water wherever you go. After exercising, replenish your system with water.

#2- Cell phones

Can’t sleep without your cell phone by your pillow? Perhaps it’s time to change that habit. Checking your phone before sleeping increases brain activity when you worry about a text you just read or just finished a game app. This makes it harder to doze off and get a good night’s sleep for the activities of the next day.

A 2011 poll by the American National Sleep Foundation (yes, there’s such a thing!) revealed that 20% of 19 to 29-year-olds are awakened by a call, text or email more than one night a week.

Aside from phones, keep away other electric gadgets that emit an artificial blue light. This light can suppress the sleep hormone melatonin.

#3- Medication

Unknown to many, lots of drugs have energy-draining side effects. These include some types of antidepressants and beta-blockers used to prevent migraines and treat high blood pressure. If the medicines you take tend to make you feel lethargic, ask your doctor to recommend an alternative. If there is none, take your meds right before you tuck in for the night.

#4- Over-exercising

While working out is usually effective in decreasing stress levels by eliminating the stress hormone cortisol, working out beyond a certain level can actually do the opposite. Though it varies from person to person, prolonged exercise like running for more than 30 minutes at a steady pace can increase cortisol production. To keep cortisol at bay, go for interval training in which bursts of intense activity are combined with strength training.

#5- Low iron

Iron is critical to the delicate balance in our body that helps it function properly. This mineral brings oxygen to all parts of the body and removes waste from your cells. Not getting around 18 milligrams a day will wear out your body as it struggles to function despite the lack of irons.

Staying with a low-iron diet can cause iron deficiency anemia. If you often feel tired, take a blood test and ask your doctor if you should be taking any supplements. –With reports by Pia Ranada/Rappler.com