Sleep Talk Blog, Health & Wellbeing
Why Do I Wake Up Tired Every Day?
Why Do I Wake Up Tired Every Day?
If you wake up tired every day, you probably aren’t getting enough quality sleep. For your cells, body and brain to repair and rebuild during sleep, you need to spend adequate time in stage 3 and REM sleep.
Poor sleep is a common problem, with over a third of adults sleeping less than seven hours per night, which makes you tired.
There are so many reasons your sleep could be limited, from an uncomfortable mattress to anxiety, stress and insomnia. Some people are just bad sleepers, and some have children to contend with; such is the spice of life.
Understanding sleep stages
There are four stages of sleep:
NREM stage 1
Non-rapid eye movement (NREM) stage 1 is the transition between being awake and asleep, similar to daydreaming. Your brain slows down, and your body relaxes, but you do not fall asleep and are easily woken.
NREM stage 1
During NREM stage 2, you become unaware of your surroundings. Brain scans show that memory consolidation occurs in the brain during this stage as your body slows down and prepares to enter deeper sleep stages.
NREM stage 3
NREM stage 3 is the deepest sleep stage before REM, also known as delta sleep. During this stage, your body begins physical repairs. This sleep stage is crucial to your health, and getting too little can make you feel tired.

REM sleep
Rapid eye movement (REM) sleep is the most profound sleep state, during which your brain activity lights up, you dream, and your body rebuilds at an enhanced rate. Without REM sleep, you will feel exhausted when you wake up.
Disrupted sleeping stages
Disrupted sleep is a natural part of life, such as getting up to use the loo or waking up because something startles you. This disruption does not ordinarily cause a problem, but it can interrupt deeper sleep stages.
Coming out of sleep stage 3 and REM sleep rapidly, and spending too much time awake before going back to bed, can stop you from falling into deep sleep again. You’ve probably experienced this after getting up to use the loo.
Thankfully, disrupted sleep is rarely a problem, and most people get a good night’s sleep the next night. However, if you wake up tired every day, it’s essential to get to the source of the problem to improve your health.

Possible things impacting your sleep
Here are some possible reasons your sleep isn’t as good as it should be:
Your mattress is uncomfortable
Is your mattress comfortable? Being unable to get comfortable will disrupt your sleep. Uncomfortable mattresses are one of the most overlooked elements of poor sleep because it’s easier to replace pillows, duvets and bedding.
Your room is too hot/cold.
According to the Sleep Foundation, the ideal temperature for sleep is 65 degrees Fahrenheit (18.3 degrees Celsius). You can maintain this temperature in your bedroom with a smart thermostat and a portable air conditioner in summer.
You are stressed and anxious.
Stress and anxiety are directly linked to poor sleep; anxious and stressed people find it more difficult to fall asleep and get less sleep. If your racing thoughts, worries, and stress keep you up, your GP should be your first port of call.
Electrical noises
Electrical noises like the quiet buzz of a TV on standby and an extractor fan in an en-suite bathroom can impact your sleep. In sleep stage 1, sounds can startle you, keeping you from entering deeper sleep stages. The solution: turn things off!
Blue light before bedtime
Blue light from your smartphone and television stimulates your brain and suppresses the release of the sleep hormone melatonin. Turn your smartphone and TV off an hour before bedtime, or use a blue light filter or warm screen colour tone.
Sugary foods and caffeine
When consumed six hours before bedtime, caffeine negatively affects sleep, while sugary foods impact rest when eaten three hours before bedtime. Eat whole foods like almonds and avoid junk food if you need a snack...