If you’re like a lot of people, you wake up tired every day. You might attribute this to being up too late, but even if you strive to sleep a solid eight hours, you may struggle with fatigue in the morning. Why is this? What causes you to wake up feeling tired, despite your best efforts to get enough rest?  

  • You might be sleeping too long. Especially if you’re trying to catch up with some sleep you’ve missed the previous night, you might sleep for too many hours. In fact, it’s not really possible to make up for lost sleep. Your best bet is to aim for a consistent sleep schedule, with seven to eight hours each night. If you’re chronically oversleeping, see your doctor: oversleeping can be caused by an underlying medical condition like heart disease or diabetes.  
  • Anxiety and depression may be keeping you awake. Most of us have been there: sometimes we toss and turn, unable to shut off our minds long enough to fall asleep. If this is happening to you frequently, you may be experiencing stress, anxiety, or depression. Look for ways to manage stress, seek support from family and friends, and consider talking to your doctor about what might be stealing your sleep.  
  • What you eat affects your sleep. If you eat too much fatty, fried, or processed food, it can cause indigestion, gastrointestinal problems, and heartburn, which can all disrupt your sleep. To sleep more soundly and feel better in the morning, eat a well-balanced diet, full of vegetables, fruits, proteins, and whole grains. Additionally, take care to stay hydrated during the day and don’t drink too much in the evening. Too many fluids before bed can cause you to awaken during the night to go to the bathroom. What’s more, dehydration can lead to muscle cramps, which can be particularly bad when you’re lying down and trying to sleep.  

  • You may not be getting enough exercise. Experts recommend shooting for 40 minutes of exercise at least four days a week, in order to stay healthy. You can walk, jog, do cardio or yoga, ride a bike, or swim- anything you enjoy, as long as it exercises your body. Regular exercise builds your energy during the day and helps you sleep more soundly at night. Just be careful not to exercise too close to bedtime, or you’ll risk disrupting your sleep.  
  • Use caution when taking sleep aids. Many sleep aids and supplements are available over the counter, which makes them very popular with people who are having trouble sleeping. Unfortunately, many sleep aids actually disrupt your sleep patterns, leaving you feeling drowsy during the day. One safe option is melatonin, a naturally occurring hormone that helps you feel sleepy, but make sure to talk to your doctor before taking any supplement or sleep aid. 
  • Restless legs syndrome (RLS) can cause problems when you’re trying to sleep. This common condition of the nervous system causes an overwhelming urge to move the legs, and it worsens at night. RLS can keep you tossing and turning at night, which makes it hard to wake up in the morning. RLS can be caused by things like iron deficiency, so if you think restless legs are keeping you awake, consult with your doctor to find a solution.  
  • Your sleep environment might be too distracting. If you live in the city, there may be traffic noise and light outside your windows keeping you awake. On the other hand, you may be providing your own distractions, using your cell phone, laptop, tablet, or television too close to bedtime. The best way to get a good night’s sleep is to turn your room into a haven, with no screens, blackout curtains to keep light from streaming in, and a cool, comfortable atmosphere in which to rest.  

If you’re looking for a good night’s sleep in Northern California, you owe it to yourself to check out Mancini's Sleepworld. Since 1969, the Mancini family has owned and operated their store in Sunnyvale, CA, selling brand name mattresses at fair prices and treating every customer with respect. Beginning an expansion in 1989, we now have 33 locations across the greater bay area, allowing for same day mattress delivery in most cases. To learn more about Mancini's Sleepworld, contact us through our website or call 800-647-5337.