Feeling tired may be a normal way of your body telling you to slow down. The human body needs rest and at least 8 hours of sleep to keep functioning normally. If you miss out on sleep, feel stressed at work, or perform excessive strenuous activities, your body may not be getting the amount of rest it needs, leaving you feeling tired.

Can tiredness be a sign of something serious?

If you feel tired all the time, and are unable to perform your day-to-day activities, you must consult a doctor to check for underlying disorders such as diabetes mellitus, hypothyroidism, heart diseases, malignancy etc.

Which food items help boost energy?

Certain food items, like almonds, dates, bananas, sweet potatoes, boiled eggs, brown rice, cheese, etc., are good sources of instant energy. Drinking coffee or other caffeinated beverages may also help boost energy when feeling tired. However, care must be taken not to consume excess caffeine as it may interfere with the sleep schedule.

Can daily exercise help combat tiredness?

Yes. Performing light exercises such as walking can help boost energy levels. It is well known that endorphins (a type of hormone) are released after workouts. These endorphins help you feel good and boost your energy. You can add different forms of exercises, such as yoga, aerobics, walking, etc., to your daily routine to feel fresh and energized.

How to overcome tiredness associated with anemia?

Tiredness and fatigue are common symptoms of anemia. To overcome tiredness due to anemia, it is essential to treat the root cause which is low hemoglobin levels. Anemia caused by nutrient deficiencies can be treated by taking a diet that is rich in iron, vitamin C, vitamin B-12, folate, and other essential micronutrients. There are other causes of anemia which are generic, not deficiency related, such as sickle cell anemia or thalassemia. Patients with such types also benefit with a wholesome diet and other techniques listed earlier.

How much sleep is essential to overcome tiredness?

Human body needs 6 to 8 hours of sound sleep at night for normal functioning. At night, while we are asleep, the body carries out its repair and rejuvenation work. A chronic lack of sleep may hamper the body’s natural processes and leave you feeling stressed and tired. Hence, it is important to get at least 6 to 8 hours of sleep daily during which your body can get rest and leave you fresh and recharged the next day. In order to get a sound sleep at night, you must avoid daytime napping and drinking caffeinated beverages such as coffee very late in the evening.

Tiredness

Written By Dr. Sakshi JainMS, BDS

Reviewed By Dr. Rajeev Sharma

MBA, MBBS

Last updated on: 24 Feb 2026 | 03:33 PM (IST)

Overview

A feeling of tiredness can be described as feeling sleepy, weak, low on energy and lacking the motivation to perform daily activities. It can occur due to poor lifestyle habits, psychological factors or some underlying health conditions. Generally, it has been found that women report tiredness more often than men.

Tiredness can be acute and may be relieved with a good night’s sleep. However, when tiredness lasts for several weeks, it can lead to chronic fatigue. It is essential to seek medical care when tiredness starts interfering with day-to-day activities, as it may be a symptom of some underlying health condition.

Along with medications to treat the underlying cause, alternative therapies play an important role in overcoming tiredness. These include meditation techniques, massage, yoga, ayurvedic and some home remedies.

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Overview

Key Facts

Symptoms

Causes

Risk factors

Diagnosis

Prevention

Specialist to visit

Treatment

Home-care

Complications

Alternatives therapies

Living with

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