Everything You Need to Know About Morning Fatigue

Have you ever woken up in the morning and felt more tired than when you went to bed? Have you wondered why you bothered to go to bed in the first place? Refreshing sleep is crucial to our health and well-being. Find out what is going wrong right here!

If all is well with your body and mind, you should feel refreshed after a good night’s sleep. If this is not happening, it may be a sign that something is wrong. The fist person to talk to about this is your family doctor. They can run some tests to find out what is happening with your body and if you have any underlying conditions that could be causing your fatigue.

Symptoms of morning fatigue

• A dizzy feeling when you get up
• A dry mouth
• Vague muscular pains
• Discomfort in the gastrointestinal tact (abdomen or stomach)
• Felling chilled
• Low blood pressure in the mornings (Hypotension)
• Eye dryness
• Extreme tiredness first thing that improves as the morning progesses

What causes morning fatigue

It is important to note that we all suffer from morning fatigue in some form from time to time. There are often very good explanations for this – the most obvious one being not getting enough sleep. However, for some people, morning fatigue goes on for longer and there is no obvious explanation. If you have unexplained morning fatigue for a period of longer than two weeks then there may be several underlying causes. Morning fatigue is not, in itself, an illness. Rather, it is a sign that something else is going on.

Cardiac problems

Doctors often cite the first few hours after waking as the danger period for cardiac problems. They frequently talk about the so-called “syncope” – this is an episode of low blood pressure, which occurs due to reduced blood circulation to the brain. This needs to be investigated by a medical professional. If your morning fatigue has become a daily occurrence, and you feel dizzy with a lack of energy, you need to get it checked out by a doctor soon.

Thyroid problems

There is a condition called hypothyroidism where the body has a deficiency of thyroid hormones which changes the ways in which the body functions.  A lack of the thyroid hormone makes the metabolism slower, and this lowers an individuals capacity to perform at their best. They feel very tired and apathetic – the fatigue is often at its worst in the mornings.

Emotional issues

It is suspected that your response to mornings is a true reflection of your physical and emotional well-being. Many of us are not ‘morning’ people. We dislike having to face the prospect of the working day, child care responsibilities and all the hundreds of other things that we have to get done. If you are not feeling emotionally stable this can all be too much. No wonder we feel tired!

Depression is a clinical illness that is characterized by muscular pain, extreme fatigue, apathy, and general sadness. Your morning fatigue could be a sign of a more general psychological illness such as depression.

Poor diet

Diets can have a profound effect on how we feel. But many people set off on very strict diets, often because they want to lose weight. They do not think about the effect that this can have on the body. It is possible to cause a severe nutritional imbalance by adopting an inappropriate diet. It can happen to people who have just become vegetarians or vegans or who are excluding certain elements from their diet. Metabolic imbalances can occur and may cause fainting spells or even hydroelectrolyte disorders if the sodium and potassium levels in the body are altered.

Help your morning fatigue

•  If morning fatigue continues for two weeks contact your doctor and get it checked out.
• Take care of your emotional health. Ask yourself why you cannot face your day. Do something about isssues that are bothering you. Turn to family, friends or professional organisations for support. Find something that you like doing – and do it every day!
• Take care with your diet. Make sure you are getting the nutrients that you need. Try to eat a varied diet and drink plenty of water.
• Do not skip breakfast – it really is the most important meal of the day! Cereals are a great breakfast food and preferable to a fry up! Breakfast is a great time to get the fibre you need from oatmeal, apples, strawberries or blueberries, and nuts.
• Don’t make yourself rush around first thing! Get things ready the night before.
• Drink ginseng, ginger or maca infusions at breakfast for vitality and energy.