Daytime sleepiness makes you feel like you’ve woken up on the wrong side of the bed.
Your eyelids feel heavy. Body sluggish. The mood dampened. And no amount of alarm seems to get you out of the deep pit that is your bed. Not even a cup of coffee seems to help when you finally complete the impossible mission. It’s official – you suffer from excessive sleepiness.
Yes, excessive sleepiness is one kind of sleep disorder. It simply means that you are having difficulty staying alert or awake and the desire to sleep during the day is persistent.
Sleepiness is often confused with fatigue, but the key difference is that fatigue is a feeling of overtiredness and sluggishness while struggling to fall asleep.
Common Causes of Excessive Sleepiness
The most common cause of Excessive Sleepiness is disrupted sleep and poor lifestyle habits, such as:
- Irregular sleep schedules
- Waking up to use the washroom multiple times a night
- Smoking
- Lack of exercise
- Exposure to blue light before bedtime
Excessive sleepiness may also be a sign of an underlying health condition. For example, sleep-wake disorders, sleep apnea, restless legs syndrome, anxiety, chronic pain, or hypothyroidism could be the root cause.
How You Can Overcome Excessive Sleepiness
Lifestyle changes can be beneficial. These include:
- Eating a balanced diet
- Limiting caffeine and alcohol intake
- Regular exercise
- Creating a cool and dark sleep environment
- Taking a warm bath before bedtime
- Sticking to a sleep schedule
If you’re still struggling with Excessive Sleepiness after making these changes, it may be time for you to speak to a doctor. Medical professionals can help pinpoint the issue, and you will soon be on your way to improving your sleep hygiene and feeling rested and energized throughout your day.