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Why Am I So Tired?

Take this quiz to find out!

Yawn! No matter how much coffee you chug, it can be a real struggle to stay awake and alert throughout the day. What gives?

Tiredness (a feeling of low energy) and sleepiness (a desire or ability to sleep if allowed to do so) can be caused by a number of factors, including stress levels, sleeping habits, diet, lifestyle, and underlying medical conditions. At the end of the day, only a medical professional can diagnose why you’re feeling exhausted—but this quiz may help you narrow things down.

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Questions Overview

1. It’s 2 AM. What’s keeping you up?
  1. Everything I still have to get done at work.
  2. That’s funny—I’m lucky if I get to bed by 3 AM.
  3. My stomach. I think I ate a little too close to my bedtime…
  4. Huh? I’m already asleep.
2. What’s the last thing you think about before falling asleep?
  1. “I can’t believe how much I have to get done tomorrow.”
  2. “I wish I went to bed sooner. I'm gonna be SO tired when I wake up.”
  3. Maybe I shouldn’t have had that cup of coffee after dinner…”
  4. I can’t remember—I fall asleep right away.
3. What do you want more than anything?
  1. To scream into the void.
  2. To take a nap.
  3. To binge the latest show on Netflix.
  4. I don’t really want anything—life’s already pretty good!
4. What are your workout plans for the day?
  1. I might hit the gym if I don’t drown in these deadlines.
  2. I’ll try to go for a walk if I can find the time.
  3. I don’t think I’m gonna exercise today.
  4. I’m aiming to do my regular 30-minute workout.
5. What are you missing the most of in your life right now?
  1. Relaxation. I wish I could put life on pause!
  2. Routine. I wish my daily life had a little more structure.
  3. Spirit. It’s hard to find the energy to do things.
  4. Nothing! I feel pretty content with where I am.
6. Your alarm just went off—what’s on the menu for breakfast?
  1. Coffee, coffee, and more coffee. Maybe a blueberry muffin, too.
  2. I might grab a Pop-tart if I can find the energy.
  3. Anything and everything, if I happen to remember to eat.
  4. A bowl of my favorite cereal.
7. When do you get to bed each night?
  1. 11 PM, but I don’t fall asleep until the early morning.
  2. 1 AM? 2 AM? It depends on the night.
  3. I try to go to bed at a decent time, but I’m not always successful.
  4. Whatever time lets me get 7-8 hours of shut-eye.
8. With 1 being “not stressed” and 10 being “very stressed,” how are you feeling?
  1. 11. I wish my mind didn’t race so much.
  2. 7. I wish I’d gotten more sleep last night.
  3. 5. I wish I had more energy.
  4. 2. I don’t have any major complaints.
9. What’s your go-to drink?
  1. Coffee. I really need to wake up and get started on my to-do list.
  2. Red Bull. I could really use some wings right about now!
  3. Coke or Pepsi. Nothing like a sugar rush to get you through the day!
  4. Water. Clear pee is happy pee!
10. You just clocked out for the day. How are you spending your evening?
  1. Finishing up the work I couldn’t get done during the day.
  2. I might take a nap. Who cares if it’s 7 PM?
  3. I’m getting caught up on my favorite show.
  4. I might take a relaxing stroll around the neighborhood.
11. Describe your sleep schedule in 1 word:
  1. Turbulent.
  2. Inconsistent.
  3. Okay.
  4. Great!
12. What’s the last thing you do before going to bed?
  1. Think about everything I have to do the next day.
  2. Chat with friends until the early hours of the morning.
  3. Eat a snack.
  4. Take a warm bath or shower.

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Tips & Tricks for Beating Tiredness

After a while, exhaustion can start to feel like an inevitability—but it doesn’t have to be! There are plenty of ways that you can hack your lifestyle and sleep schedule so you can start feeling more alert, focused, and ready to face the day.

  • Exercise each day. Believe it or not, a consistent exercise regimen can help you feel more energized. You don’t have to run a marathon or anything—even a quick, 15-minute stroll around your neighborhood can help you feel more alert. As you get a little more active, set a goal to work out 30 minutes a day for 5 days a week.
  • Schedule frequent meals and snacks. Set a reminder for yourself to munch on healthy snacks and meals throughout the day (once every 3-4 hours is ideal). The more consistent and healthy fuel your body has, the less tired and sluggish you’ll feel.
  • Get at least 7 hours of sleep if you’re an adult. There’s no getting around it: every adult needs at least 7 hours of shut-eye to feel energized and alert the next day. If you’re between 14 and 17 years old, you need to get at least 8 hours of sleep every night.
  • Do relaxing activities to keep your stress levels down. Relaxation means different things for everyone—for some, it might mean curling up under a blanket with a good book; for others, it might involve a fun night out with friends. Find activities that help you relax and unwind, and make time for them throughout the week.
  • Wean yourself off caffeine for a month. We know, this is a really big ask—but according to medical professionals, removing caffeine from your diet completely is an effective way to fight tiredness. Slowly wean yourself off your favorite caffeinated drinks for a few weeks, and then see how you feel after a caffeine-free month.
  • Limit alcohol before bed. There’s no denying that alcohol can make you feel sleepy; unfortunately, it doesn’t allow you to get a quality night’s sleep. Try cutting back before heading to bed, or saving your drinks for a night when you don’t have to be alert in the early morning.
  • Stay hydrated throughout the day. Dehydration and tiredness go hand in hand—so, if you drink more water, you might feel more refreshed. As a general rule of thumb, aim to drink 11.5 cups (2.7 L) each day if you’re a woman, and 15.5 cups (3.7 L) if you’re a guy.
  • Visit a therapist. Therapy is a great way to vent about your worries, anxiety, and other mental health challenges in a safe place. Schedule an appointment with a therapist and see if you feel a little less fatigued after your session.
  • Talk with your doctor to see if something else is making you tired. Fatigue is a side effect of countless health conditions, including anemia, chronic fatigue syndrome, depression, fibromyalgia, thyroid conditions, multiple sclerosis, sleep apnea, and more. A medical professional can help you figure out what’s causing your fatigue, and help you come up with a treatment plan.

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Any medically related content, whether User Content or otherwise found on the Service, is not intended to be medical advice or instructions for medical diagnosis or treatment, and no physician-patient or psychotherapist-patient relationship is, or is intended to be, created.

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