I Slept for 8 Hours — Why Am I Still So Tired?

Experts recommend that adults get 7 – 8 hours of sleep every night. An adequate amount of rest can help with both your physical and mental health! But what if you make every effort to comply with that advice and still feel tired in the morning? There are a few possible explanations for your problem. In this blog post, you can learn about some of the most common.

You Have an Undiagnosed Sleep Disorder

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a common sleep disorder that causes breathing disruptions throughout the night. Every time you stop breathing, your body goes into panic mode, and you experience micro-arousals that kickstart your body into breathing again. Even though you may not be aware of these episodes, they can still have a great effect on the quality of your sleep. Specifically, you might not spend enough time in the deeper stages of sleep, which can lead to feelings of exhaustion in the morning.

What you can do: Talk to your doctor and ask if you should undergo a sleep test. If you are diagnosed with OSA, you can begin treatment.

You Have an Irregular Sleep Pattern

Humans tend to sleep best when they have a consistent schedule for rest. If you work odd shifts at your place of employment or have other factors that make it impossible for you to stick to a regular sleep routine, you may be quite tired even when you manage to sleep for 7 – 8 hours.

What you can do: If your circumstances allow, try to go to sleep and wake up at the same time each day. In order to do so, you might have to talk to your boss about your work schedule.

There Are Environmental Disruptions

A clean, quiet, and dark environment is conducive to good sleep. If you are forced to try to sleep in a loud or bright environment, you might not be able to spend enough time in the deeper stages of sleep. You may find that you are tired no matter how long you sleep.

What you can do: Try to make your bedroom as comfortable as possible. You might deep clean it, invest in blackout curtains, and/or place sound-absorbing panels on the walls.

Your Lifestyle Does Not Support High-Quality Sleep

Do you like to enjoy an afternoon cup of coffee, or are you the sort of person who unwinds at the end of the day with an alcoholic beverage? These choices might feel good in the moment, but they can reduce the quality of your sleep.

What you can do: Avoid caffeine in the afternoon, and do not drink alcohol during the last few hours before bed. If you need help to unwind, try a cup of chamomile tea.

You Are Experiencing Stress and Anxiety

Stress and anxiety can affect your ability to fall asleep and enjoy high-quality sleep. You might have disturbing dreams, wake up frequently, or simply not get enough deep sleep.

What you can do: Set aside an hour or two before bed when you can relax. If you have severe stress and/or anxiety, you may need to change your circumstances or seek assistance from a mental health professional.

The quality of your sleep is just as important as the quantity! If you do not feel well-rested in the morning, take steps to address the problem so you can start getting the rejuvenating shuteye your body needs.

Meet the Practice

Drs. Kenneth Mogell and Yitta Garden are proud to provide oral appliance therapy for sleep apnea treatment. They have many years of combined experience and have already helped countless patients throughout Florida communities. If you suspect you have OSA, our team can advise you on your next steps. Contact our Boca Raton location at 561-353-5252.