Q: I get plenty of sleep, but I’m always tired. What’s going on?. Figuring out why you’re tired often requires a little detective work, said Dr. Shannon Sullivan, a sleep medicine specialist at Stanford University.. On the one hand, your sleep routine might just need a few tweaks. But certain health conditions or medications could also be to blame.. The good news, Dr. Sullivan said, is there are ways to identify and treat the source of your fatigue, which can often help you feel better.. “It’s a part of medicine with a great deal of hope,” she said.. Are you really getting enough sleep?. The first thing you should do is review your sleep habits, Dr. Sullivan said. Have you recently strayed from your normal sleep schedule? Have you been stressed?. If not, your sleep routine might need some sprucing. Make sure you’re getting at least seven hours of sleep every night (some people need more) and try to go to bed and wake up at the same times every day. Much like a toddler’s naps, your own sleep will be better when it’s consistent, Dr. Sullivan said.. If you have a regular afternoon coffee or an evening glass of wine, try skipping it. And avoid scrolling on your phone or snacking just before bed. All of these activities can lower the quality of your sleep. The timing of your meals can make a difference, too; aim to finish dinner at least two to three hours before bedtime.. We are having trouble retrieving the article content.. Please enable JavaScript in your browser settings.. Thank you for your patience while we verify access. If you are in Reader mode please exit and log into your Times account, or subscribe for all of The Times.. Thank you for your patience while we verify access.. Already a subscriber? Log in.. Want all of The Times? Subscribe.
