The ringing of the alarm clock gives you the signal that the day is starting. Yes, but here it is you have difficulty waking up in the morning. And worse, you’re as tired in the morning as if you hadn’t slept. How can we explain such a feeling? “There are two main types of causes for fatigue on waking. Causes related to our lifestyle. You should know that we are all sleep deprived! And then causes related to an illness: sleep apnea or syndrome restless legs, explains Doctor Beaulieu, a sleep specialist.
You have a stressful lifestyle and spend too much time on screens
It is true that, with a few exceptions, our way of life is not at all restful. Social pressure requires us to always be in the performance. We must be efficient, be good parents, we must be irreproachable at work, and by dint of pulling the rope, we can be completely in spite of ourselves sleep deprived. Even if the duration of sleep remains close to everyone, we sleep an average of 6h55 per night. This represents a little less than the minimum duration of 8 hours. Again, we are programmed to sleep for a certain amount of time and we can be fine with 5 hours of sleep. However, on average, it takes 8 hours for a good recovery. It can therefore follow a persistent fatigue on waking.
In this scenario, ask yourself: what is the way to achieve 8 hours of sleep per night? “It is essential to question the quality and duration of your nights. You have to be ready for a certain discipline. Such as keeping screens away and sleeping in a peaceful environment, among other things. But often, people are not ready hear it or do it”, laments the specialist.
You snore (you have sleep apnea)
Apart from this hypothesis (stress), there are causes linked to a pathology. sleep apnea, in addition to being a cardiovascular and metabolic risk factor, causes micro-awakenings, and sometimes, is accompanied by other daytime sleepiness-type signs. In this case, fatigue on waking can appear and develop. Sleep is not of good quality. Obviously, it is essential to explore this track with a doctor.
You have restless leg syndrome
Another possible explanation: restless leg syndrome. Legs that move on their own during sleep cause micro-awakenings that we are rarely aware of. “They don’t wake you up but the brain wakes up. In fact, sleep is fragmented and has nothing to do with recovery!”, adds the doctor.
Fatigue on waking can also come from reflux problems such as GERD (gastro esophageal reflux disease). In any case, if this fatigue lasts and does not resolve itself with substantial hours of sleep, a basic biological assessment must absolutely be carried out.
Sometimes it can also be a sign of depression. Along with diet and physical activity, sleep remains a pillar of health. And any trouble shouldn’t be taken lightly.
Thanks to Doctor Philippe Beaulieu, sleep doctor in Paris.
Read also:
- 4 weeks to finally get rid of fatigue
- Fatigue: 9 habits to adopt to regain tone
- Fatigue: 9 tips to stop collapsing at the end of the day
- 12 tips for falling asleep (fast)
