Do you do everything right – get to bed early, have one of those wave sound machines, wake up according to your sleep cycle – but still wake up exhausted in the morning?
One of these hidden causes may be to blame…
1. You’re low on magnesium.
If you skimp on leafy greens, beans and nuts you may be low in magnesium, a mineral important for a good night’s sleep.
“Magnesium is a crucial mineral our bodies need for the function of GABA receptors,” says Carolyn Dean, author of 30 books including The Miracle of Magnesium. “This calming neurotransmitter enables the brain to ‘switch off’. Without it, we remain stressed and tense, our thoughts race and we don’t get a restful night’s sleep.”
The recommended daily allowance (RDA) for magnesium for women 19 to 30 years old is 310 milligrams – that’s just two cups of leafy greens or (even better) three squares of dark chocolate.
2. You eat too much fat.
Eating at the drive-through on a regular basis does more than wreck your waistline; it can also cause sleepiness, according to a study published in the journal SLEEP. The study links a higher fat consumption with increased daytime sleepiness, regardless of the total amount of sleep you get at night. Stick with a healthy, low-fat diet if you want to get through the day without a nap.
3. You skip breakfast.
It's called 'the most important meal of the day' for a reason. Skipping breakfast means you're starving the body of essential fuels to get you through the day and this will slow your metabolism. Going sans brekkie can lead to a range of health problems, including weight gain and low blood sugar.
To fuel up your body for the day, make sure you include protein-rich foods in your breakfast, including eggs, peanut butter and plenty of fruit.
4. You’re out of sync with your internal clock.
Traveling across several time zones and working the late shift have one thing in common: They disrupt the body’s natural clock. This can cause you to feel tired even if you get enough sleep, says Allen Towfigh, board certified sleep medicine doctor and neurologist based in New York City.