Lifestyle

Getting sick is a fairly routine occurrence for many people, even though the causes of the illness can vary greatly. It’s common knowledge that being exposed to extreme temperatures or being around other sick people can make you sick, but there are several other factors you might not have considered. Sometimes, getting sick can be caused by more than not washing your hands.

Your body is a combination of systems that need different components to run properly. Knowing what to avoid or change can mean the difference between feeling great and taking another sick day. Here are nine lifestyle factors that can contribute to ill health.

1. Not Enough Sleep

Not getting enough sleep is a surefire way to put your health in jeopardy. Sleep is vital for your brain and body to rest and recover from the day’s events. Lack of sleep can result in depression, weight gain and even digestive problems, among other things.  Strive to get a minimum of seven hours of uninterrupted sleep each night.

2. Low Activity Level

It’s been documented in multiple places that a mostly sedentary lifestyle will result in poor health. Sitting at your desk all day at work or at home means you aren’t getting the most use out of your body’s abilities. Poor physical health is not a standalone condition and is tied to your mental status, too. Low levels of activity can lead to lowered psychological health and mental disorders.

3. Stress

Handling everyday matters doesn’t just affect your mental health. Stress can also have damaging physical symptoms when left unchecked. Being constantly stressed or overly anxious triggers your immune system to malfunction and that makes it easier for you to get sick.

4. Low Vitamin D

Our bodies need a combination of nutrition and vitamins in order to function. Vitamin D is one of the most important factors needed to keep our immune systems working. You can get this vitamin from foods like fish, eggs and certain vegetables. If your vitamin D levels are too low, you can use a supplement to raise them. Just be sure to test your levels and check with your doctor beforehand.

5. Poor Nutrition

Using food to take care of your body is essential for good health. Eating high levels of processed foods, sugars and other toxic material throughout the day can drain your body of energy and nutrients. This means your immune system will not get the fuel needed to keep you healthy.

6. Poor Environment

Where we live can also have an influence on our health. Environmental factors like clean water access and overcrowding can also be damaging. However, noise pollution is often overlooked but one of the main contributions to poor health. Increased noise from roads, either traffic or construction, can lead to damaged hearing as well as mood changes like irritability.

7. Too Much Caffeine

When we feel tired but can’t go to bed, there are a number of outlets we can turn to. Energy drinks and coffee are used to give a temporary boost so you can get through the day. However, having too much caffeine can be extremely harmful to your nervous system. Being over-caffeinated can result in feeling jittery and being unable to sleep.

8. Too Many Germs

Germs are everywhere, there’s no getting away from them. However, you can protect yourself and your health by making sure to wash your hands regularly. We touch many surfaces throughout the day that may not be the cleanest. As a result, our hands pick up various germs and bacteria that can further spread when we touch our faces. Wash your hands multiple times throughout the day and if you can’t, use hand sanitizer.

9. Social Relationships

Foods aren’t the only things that can be toxic in our lives. Sometimes, our interpersonal relationships can cause added stress and strain to both our physical and mental health. Whether it’s a romantic relationship on the rocks or a blowhard boss, interacting with people can be taxing. Work on maintaining positive and beneficial relationships, both at work and in your personal life. It might be difficult, but consider removing any toxic or overly anxious personalities from your social circle in order to maintain your own health.

You hit snooze on your seven different alarms before getting up, then you enter the midday slump right after lunch and then you drowsily drive home. Probably, if this is your daily routine, you think this is normal. The stress and energy requirements of work and socializing will make you tired.

Chronic fatigue can sometimes mean more than just skipping your nightly requirement of sleep. It can be a sign of an underlying serious illness. Here are 10 things to consider if you’re always feeling tired.

You Don’t Move Enough

It’s called a sedentary lifestyle and it describes how most of us go through the day. We spend numerous hours just sitting, whether at work or at home. It might seem surprising that sitting can make you tired but it can. It puts stress on your body and can cause back pain, muscle soreness, headaches, and even neck pain.

Cancer

Ongoing exhaustion or weakness that doesn’t get better with rest can be a sign of cancer. If you’re always tired and can’t do things at your normal pace for more than two weeks, that’s a warning sign that something terrible is wrong.

Thyroid Disease

Those who have to live with thyroid disease can end up being tired because of a hormonal malfunction. Hypothyroidism is the condition where your body doesn’t produce enough of the thyroid hormone needed for daily energy use. Hyperthyroidism means that your thyroid gland is producing too much. Both will leave you feeling exceptionally tired as well as making you feel weak, too warm or thirsty.

Diabetes

Diabetes is characterized by unsteady blood-sugar levels and insulin deficiencies. Both of these can contribute to your energy level or lack thereof. Sugars, also known as glucose, will build up in your body when it isn’t used. So while your body may have the energy stored, you’re still feeling fatigued.

Depression

One of the hallmark symptoms of depression is fatigue. It’s thought that this comes from the hormone imbalances that cause depression. This mental disorder is known to steal away your energy and make it seem nearly impossible to do anything—even getting out of bed might be hard.

Mold Exposure

The dangers of mold to your health are common knowledge but it can also contribute to your tiredness level. Mold is one of the most common household allergens and can cause fatigue. Inhaling mold is a surefire way to damage your respiratory health. Your body is receiving a limited amount of oxygen which means you’ll feel tired or have difficulty breathing while trying to sleep.

Anemia

Anemia is a blood disorder that can make you feel drained. It develops when your body lacks the red blood cells needed to carry oxygen throughout your entire body. Less oxygen means less energy and it also means your internal organs can’t work as efficiently. Typically, menstruating women are at risk to suffer this condition. However, it does affect some men and can remedy with either iron pills or eating iron-rich foods.

Poor Sleeping Habits

Of course, if you don’t sleep enough, you’re going to be tired throughout the day. But it’s not just about how long you sleep. The quality of your sleep is also important. Your body and brain need to enter deep stages of REM sleep in order to process memories and replenish energies. In order to get there, you need anywhere from 7 to 9 hours of uninterrupted snoozing.

Adrenal Fatigue

Adrenal fatigue and chronic fatigue syndrome are hormone imbalances that severely impact your ability to function. Your adrenal gland releases cortisol and adrenaline, both of which maintain your energy levels. They also react to high-stress situations and can leave you stiff, sick, cramping or cause insomnia.

Poor Diet

Food is the fuel we need in order to get through the day. If you find yourself eating too much of the wrong foods or not enough, this could explain your tiredness. An unstable diet can cause disruptions in your sleep cycle, mood regulation and also lower your motivation. Most of the foods we get for convenience lack the healthy nutrients we need not only for our bodies but also for our minds.