If you’re reading this at your desk, then you might find yourself nodding off partway through —which is exactly why you should read on.
According to the Association of the American Family Physician, up to 20 per cent of adults are affected by excessive daytime sleepiness. Aside from the inconvenience of feeling tired all the time, this can be dangerous: excessive daytime sleepiness is associated with a poor overall health, and a generally higher risk of car and workplace accidents.
There are a variety of possible reasons why you’re struggling to keep your eyes open at 3 p.m., but not all of them are necessarily serious or difficult to fix. And while caffeine is revered by many for the boost of alertness it can provide, you don’t have to guzzle coffee to get through your day either. If you’re having trouble with excessive daytime sleepiness, try these 12 tips which range from simple to larger lifestyle shifts but could help you solve the problem without medication or major changes to your schedule.
And if tips like these just aren't helping, talk to your doctor about your difficulties with daytime fatigue. There could be an underlying cause: stress, depression, a sleep disorder, anemia, sleep apnea, even thyroid problems. Your physician can help you figure out what might be behind your energy issues, and point you towards specialists if necessary.
