Discover nine simple ways to address excessive sleepiness, also known as hypersomnia, by adjusting your sleep schedule, bedroom habits, and daily routines for improved energy and well-being.
Do you feel tired all the time, like, no matter how much you sleep, you’re still dragging? We’ve all been there, right? It’s the worst. We’re talking about excessive sleepiness, or hypersomnia, which is more than just your run-of-the-mill Monday morning blues. That said, we’re gonna dive a little deeper into this and see what we can do about it.
Note: We’ll explore this topic further.
Treating Excessive Sleepiness
Okay, so, there’s like, a bunch of ways to deal with being super sleepy all the time. We’ve noticed that it’s not a one-size-fits-all kind of thing, ya know? So, here are some ideas; things you can try:
1. Get Enough Sleep Each Night
Make sure things are chill in the evenings before you go to bed so you can get the rest you need and feel better in the morning. Um, you know, like, get your clothes ready for the next day and prep your lunch and dinner.
2. Keep Things Associated With Activities Other Than Sleeping Out of the Bedroom
The bedroom should be just for sleeping. Seriously. It shouldn’t be a place for, like, watching TV or working on your laptop, because that can totally mess with your head.
3. Regulate Your Biological Clock
You gotta work *with* your body’s natural clock, its circadian rhythm, if you wanna feel less sleepy. That’s really important in tackling excessive sleepiness. We’ve noticed; trust us. You can do this by changing little things:
- Go to bed and wake up at the same time every day.
- Try to expose yourself to sunlight early in the day because that can help reset your sleep cycle. Maybe, set your alarm 15 minutes earlier each day.
- Spending a full week in nature can help reset your circadian rhythm, because, it’s really easy to mess it up with our modern lives.
- Also, avoid things that mess with your internal clock, like artificial light.
4. Schedule Your Daily Tasks
Eating your meals at consistent times can help your body get into a routine, which means you’re gonna be more energetic and less likely to crash. That said, this’ll help if you’re feeling kinda blah or sleepy.
So, yeah, try to schedule other things in your day a couple of hours before you go to sleep at night, too.
5. Commit to Practicing Regular Exercise
Just 30 minutes of exercise every day can seriously boost your sleep and give you more energy throughout the day. We’ve noticed. Plus, exercising in the sun can be really beneficial, especially if you struggle with getting enough sunlight, so get out there for 30 minutes a day.
6. Adjust Your Daily Schedule According to Your Sleep Hours
If you’re not getting those 7-8 hours of sleep each night, try to move some of your morning tasks to later in the day, or, um, do some stuff in the evening when you are more alert.
7. Don’t Go to Bed When You Feel Sleepy
There’s a difference between feeling tired and feeling sleepy. Like, if you just can’t keep your eyes open or your head feels heavy, that’s sleepy. If you just have a headache, that’s tired. See? Two totally different things.
8. Avoid Napping Late in the Day
That can mess with your sleep at night. It can make it harder to fall asleep and totally ruin any progress you’re making to get more and better sleep.
9. Do a Sleep Test if You Suspect You Are Stressed
This can help you figure out what’s causing your tiredness. Is it work? Is it your relationships? Is it something else entirely? Also, steer clear of sugary snacks that might make you sleepy. If you absolutely need something sweet, try to avoid them since they can cause highs and lows.
Also, if you’re someone who needs a nighttime snack, it’s best to skip it, because, that could have some adverse effects and negatively impact your attempts to deal with being super sleepy.
Healthy Causes of Excessive Sleepiness
Sometimes, being super sleepy can be caused by health stuff. So, if you think that might be the case, it’s important to talk to a doctor, especially if you have things like:
- Trouble sleeping at night.
- Problems staying awake, or staying focused on, things.
- Anxiety, or trouble breathing.
- Unpleasant, vivid, dreams.
In general, the conditions below can increase the likelihood of you having one of the following diseases:
- Insomnia.
- Sleep apnea.
- Restless leg syndrome.
- Sleepwalking.
“I used to feel like I was in a constant fog, always tired no matter how much I slept. I tried a few of these tips, and honestly, sticking to a consistent sleep schedule and getting some sunlight in the morning made a huge difference. I’m not 100% perfect, but I definitely feel more awake and energized during the day now!”
“I always thought my constant tiredness was just part of being a busy parent. But after cutting out late-afternoon naps and being more mindful about my caffeine intake, I’ve noticed a significant improvement in my energy levels. It’s still a work in progress, but I’m moving in the right direction!”
Myth & Facts
Myth: You can “catch up” on sleep on the weekends.
Fact: While sleeping in on weekends can provide temporary relief, it doesn’t fully compensate for chronic sleep deprivation. A consistent sleep schedule is key for long-term energy and health.
Question: What if I’ve tried everything and I’m still tired?
Answer: If you’ve implemented lifestyle changes and are still experiencing excessive sleepiness, it’s time to consult a healthcare professional. There could be underlying medical or psychological factors contributing to your fatigue.
So, yeah, we hope this helps!
For me personally, just getting that extra hour of sleep has done wonders. It’s crazy what a difference it makes, right?