Can't seem to figure
out why you're always so tired? Sometimes it's not just about
getting enough sleep or chugging caffeine ... There may be other
things sucking the verve right out of you!
Click through below to see what could be keeping you yawning --
you'll find the unexpected culprits in your closet, your medicine
cabinet, on your computer, even at work. With a few quick fixes,
and you'll have the energy to party all night, all summer
long. |
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Procrastinating. Your to-do list
seems endless. You're too tired to tackle it, but since you
feel guilty about having tons to do, you never relax.
Quick fix: Set aside weekly blocks of time
to stay on top of simple chores. You'll have more time and
energy for the bigger pains in the
butt. |
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Boozing it up. Not only does alcohol
make it harder for you to sleep, red wine, beer and fruity
cocktails have elaborate ingredients that can trigger low-level
allergies. That can easily equal fatigue. Quick
fix: Switch to a simpler mixer (like G&T or rum &
cola) and see if you feel better the morning
after. |
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Popping pills.
Taking a drug at the wrong time can leave you too amped up or super
drowsy. Allergy meds and antidepressants can make people feel
fidgety or dazed, and what's fine for a friend may be sapping your
energy (even if it's not a listed side effect). Quick
fix: Switch up when you dose or ask your
doc. |
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A breakout or cold sore. An Ohio State
University study found that women with blemishes were at risk of
exhaustion. Why? Self-consciousness impacts your social and sex
life, which bums you out and drains you. Quick fix: Hit a
makeup counter to learn how to conceal like a pro or see a derm for
a long-term fix. |
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Too much outdoors. Anything that makes
breathing difficult can cause fatigue. Smog and ozone levels tend
to be higher on hot summer days, leading to inflamed lungs and
health issues like hay fever and asthma. Quick
fix: Exercise indoors, limit outdoor time and close car
windows on sticky, smoggy days. |
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Too much indoors
(sigh). It's known as "Air-Con Fatigue" -- when your teeth start
chattering and your hands go numb from your arctic office. It
triggers your body to produce more heat consuming energy, leaving
you beat. Quick fix: Walk around regularly, wear
layers, sip tea or call your building
maintenance. |
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A heavy purse.
Carrying your life in your bag strains your shoulders and back
which leads to overall fatigue. And slouching under the weight will
compress your lungs, meaning less oxygen to your entire body
(yawn). Quick fix: Once a week, dump the stuff you
don't need to carry (i.e. 6 shades of
lipstick...really?). |
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Swimming. You're
not just tired from burning all those calories. According the
National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, chlorinated
pools can cause sinus issues. Sinusitis is linked with Chronic
Fatigue Syndrome. Quick fix: Rinse nasal passages
with saline solution or use the steam room
post-dip. |
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Checking e-mail.
A London University study says e-mail addicts undergo a 10-point
crash in their IQ (smoking pot only sheds 4 points) -- equal to
missing a whole night's sleep. Quick fix: Set your
preferences to only check for new emails hourly, and turn off
notifications so you're not sucked back in. |
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Gaining five pounds. Weight gain =
energy drain. An extra 5 pounds on your frame makes you expend
about 2 percent more energy, so your body has to work harder to get
you through the day." Quick fix: Stay active, keep
your weight steady and get moving. |