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The SITS Girls

The Secret to Success is Support

Ask the Expert: Why Am I Tired?

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Joining us today is Jen Mitchell, a long-time SITStah and registered nurse.  We’ve asked Jen to help us with our Ask the Expert series, crafting posts around health topics for women, children, mental wellness, whatever topic our community is interested in.  It’s our way of getting your questions answered, but by a seasoned professional in the field.  To learn more about Jen, head over to the forum.  You can also leave your own health related question for her, which she will answer in an upcoming post.

caffeine effects
Credit: Susannah Ireland / The Times

Question: Caffeine.  It is vital to my survival.  How much is too much?  And if you must do soda, is “Diet” the way to go? (I often think of my Diet Coke as a healthy alternative, but maybe it is not?)

The alarm goes off. You reach over and smack the snooze bar for just a few more sweet moments of sleep. And just as you are getting back to sleep, it goes off again.

A child comes into your bedroom and begins to tap your forehead until you open an eye. You open both eyes to prove to the child that you are awake, hoping that this will in fact make the child go away.

The dog or cat pounces on your bed, kneading and pawing you until you turn over, but they don’t stop. They get right up in your face and blow an ever so sweet smell of animal breath right in your nose followed by a big sloppy kiss.

No matter how you wake up in the morning, getting out of bed is tough. But even tougher is actually waking up.

I am not a morning person. I fumble and stumble and walk around in a zombie state. Like millions of people worldwide, I need caffeine to function. My brain just will not start going until that coffee touches my tongue.

Caffeine is a stimulant that tricks our brains into not up-taking a chemical called adenosine, which is responsible for making us tired or drowsy.

Have you ever had a morning when you were really, really tired and, no matter how much coffee, soda or other caffeinated beverages you consumed, nothing worked?  You were still as tired as when you first woke up and your brain refused to get going?

Instead of getting yet another cup of coffee or soda, try drinking a large glass of water.

so tired

“Why”, you ask?

Well, it has to do with how caffeine works. Caffeine is a stimulant that opens up blood flow to all of the organs, getting them more of the oxygen rich blood they need to function. This includes the kidneys, which in turn causes them to make more urine, which causes you to pee more, which causes mild dehydration and, ultimately, makes you tired. The more caffeine you ingest, the worse this is going to get.

Darn viscous cycle.

There have been many, many studies done on this very subject, but the evidence is inconclusive as to how true this phenomena is. In other words, science won’t confirm or deny whether caffeine causes dehydration.

I am not here to try and disprove science, but I am here to tell you what works for me. The more caffeine I ingest, the more tired I feel, unless I drink water. The mornings that I am super tried are the ones that I have had nothing to drink but coffee. I just keep slamming back the caffeine hoping for a jolt, but all I get is another trip to the bathroom. So I drink a large glass of water and with in a few minutes, BAM! I am bright eyed and bushy tailed. Source via phentermineonline.com the phentermine online website.

This may all be in my head (or kidneys), but it works and I encourage you to try it. If nothing else, you will have consumed one of the eight glasses of water you are supposed to drink for the day and maybe be just a little more awake.

Its a win-win in my book.

This post is part one of a two part series on caffeine. Next time, Jen will address how much caffeine is too much and what that could mean for your body.  If you have a question about your health, then please ask in the SITS forum.

Resource sites:

 

About Francesca

Francesca has an extensive background in content marketing, public relations, and social outreach. She oversees all Operations at Sway Group, including our robust metrics capabilities. Prior to joining the online world, Francesca oversaw viticulture and oenology at various wineries in both California and Italy, and managed regulatory affairs and facility approvals at the biotech company, Genentech. Francesca has been featured on CBS Sacramento and Food Blogger Pro’s podcast. She has also hosted an AMA webinar and spoken at Social Media World.

Reader Interactions

Comments

  2. Madison says

    I don’t drink coffee because the caffeine will trigger a migraine. On the other hand I drink Coke. If I don’t have a little caffeine every few days I will get a migraine that lasts until I break down and give it caffeine.

    It’s too bad I can’t drink coffee. I love the smell. I used to work at Starbucks – how’s that for irony? I even have soap with coffee in it.

    I do drink a lot of water.

  3. Leah Rubin says

    I love this! I can’t do caffeine because it makes my heart race– in a scary way! I’m a big fan of water, but still love an occasional caffeine-free Diet Coke!

  5. Rene W. says

    I know I don’t drink enough water… I try using crystal lite which helps, but I am so bad. I know this is why I’m always tired.

  6. PatriciaD says

    I just woke up this AM with a huge migraine and after taking aspirin, acetaminophen and finally drinking a cup of caffeine (I mean coffee) it FINALLY went away…but it took that last ingredient to get it to go. I struggle with this obviously when I have these headaches. Any thoughts?

    • Jen says

      Caffeine helps the acetaminophen and aspirin cross the blood brain barrier faster meaning that it will get into your system faster and help you get rid of your headache. This is why its one of ingredients in Extredrine.

  9. Ginna says

    I did not know that! Every time I feel tired at work, I would go get a cup of coffee, I will start drinking more water. Drinking more water was one of the items on my 101 in 1001 but I haven’t quite made it to drinking 6-8 glasses day.

  11. Rachel {at} Mommy Needs a Vacation says

    #1: I am so psyched that Jen is doing his series here with the SITSahs!
    #2: She has just confirmed that what I do every day is okay! Start with coffee, drink water…and then finish the day off with wine! What she didn’t say I could drink wine everyday? Oh! That is in a different post! Smashing!

    • Jen says

      You know, it has been said that I glass of wine every night is good for the heart, one glass.

      And I am going to leave it at that. 🙂

  12. Shelley says

    I have heard that water is key! Caffeine is definitely addictive & it’s hard to force yourself to avoid caffeinated beverages in favor of water, but maybe I should try. I might even end up with fewer headaches.

  14. Jamie R. says

    I have GOT to try this! I’m always tired. :). But, I think it is mostly because I have a 20 month old and a 3 month old. I definitely don’t drink enough water, though.

  15. Mrs.Mayhem says

    Interesting stuff! Coffee and diet soda are mentioned but not green tea (my first choice in caffeine). Because green tea has some health benefits, is it okay to drink? (Probably still need to drink more water during the day, I’m guessing.)

    • Jen says

      I know that there are multiple benefits to drinking green tea. I don’t know what they are exactly but I will make sure to look into this and include it in my next post. 🙂

  17. Annah says

    Does this community *ever* talk about anything other than vapid/insipid stuff? Yawn. Every post is redesign this, or scrapbook that, or teddy bears and candle wax bla bla bla. Is this all women bloggers write about? Um, I don’t think so.

    Where’s the backbone!?

  18. Mommyof2Girlz/Steph says

    Awesome post I usually have one of two cups of coffee first thing then drink literally bottles of water the rest of the day. I’m am very interested in seeing if water first thing instead of coffee will work for me. I also heard that eating an apple when you wake instead of coffee works better too? Any truth to that?

    • Jen says

      Honestly, I have never heard of that but I have heard that smell citrus like orange or lemon first thing in the morning will help wake you up better and faster that coffee. I don’t know the science behind this but that might be something worth looking into. 🙂

  19. Jeannie Spiro says

    Great post. I’m a Health Coach and I’m so glad you’re tackling the water/caffeine topic. We simply don’t get enough water in during the day. It’s essential for weight management/loss and healthy functioning bodies.

    I’m always amazed to find that my clients need me to remind them to drink more water and reduce the caffeine and (eliminate diet drinks…a process over time). To me it’s just second nature and I love how I feel and look because I drink enough.

    When my clients first come to me they usually describe their morning the same way: coffee/sweetener/creamer and a carbohydrate. Never any water…first thing we add in is the water and then we tackle to rest 😉

    Thanks for posting this.

  20. Grams says

    I’m a former Diet Coke addict who gave up carbonated drinks more than 4 years ago. I don’t miss them. I took a sip of my husband’s Diet Coke a while back and thought how awful it tasted. I used to drink a minimum of three 20-ounce Diet Cokes every day. However, they will have to pry my coffee mug out of my cold dead hands. However, I do limit that to two cups a day. Otherwise, I don’t sleep. I drink water all day long. I carry around an insulated glass full of water like I used to carry my Diet Coke bottle.

    • Marie Cole says

      I needed to leave another comment because my commentluv didn’t seem to be working…so thought this was a good time to say “good morning” to you all! 🙂

  23. Ginny Marie says

    Definitely am going to try this! I knew caffeine was dehydrating, but in my morning rush I always forget to have that water with my coffee.

  24. Beth says

    Oh, I heart my diet iced tea in the morning. I’ve never reached for a water first, though. Perhaps I should try cause I do feel the fatigue especially later in the day.

  25. Eva Gallant says

    Great info!

    Goodmorning, SITStahs! Hope everyone is having a good weekend. If you need a chuckle, visit my Saturday Silliness blog this morning!

  26. julia says

    great post. i will typically have a cup of coffee, and then before i allow myself to have another cup, i must drink a glass of water first!

  27. Pattyann says

    The big thing that I have found with drinking more water throughout the day is that it makes me less hungry and I can lose weight. I am thinking that anything that helps me to lose weight is definitely a good thing!! I do not like the taste of water, but have found that a little lemon or orange can go a long way to making it something I don’t mind. Another trick is as simple as a crystal light. The more I drink in water throughout the day (and especially when I am starting to get hungry) the more weight I lose. I have lost 40 lbs so far and have 30 more to go to reach my goal.

    • Jen says

      You are so right, water is great for weight loss and getting the full feeling. Congrats to you on your weight loss accomplishment.

  28. Kelly says

    I will try to be better about reaching for water instead of my diet sodas…… Although, I do generally drink several liters of water a day. First thing I do when I wake up in the morning is drink about a half liter of water. I just really like soda…. Not necessarily for the caffeine… haha

  32. SuzRocks says

    Way to go Jen! I remember when you were orienting me to the MICU when I was an extern- good grief, like 8 years ago. My time flies!

  33. Michelle says

    Amazing! Im super tired in the morning, but I think thats because I have poor sleeping habits. I dont really drink much soda and its rare I drink coffee. I do know that if I drink a glass of cold water, there is no going back to sleep for me.

    -M-
    michelletherib.blogspot.com

  34. Bibi says

    I must have a huge glass of water first thing in the morning otherwise I feel tired. The water wakes up all my senses….then I have my cup of coffee after breakfast.

    I noticed that when I get sleepy around 2pm on some days coffee makes it even worse.

  35. Julie says

    I think I’m tired because I’m turning 50 next month. Or as I prefer to think of it….Forty Ten.

    I live for caffeine. 🙂

  36. RocketGirl says

    This is why I limit myself to one cup a day! Any more than that and I get jittery and feel exhausted. Nothing worse than feeling tired AND wired.

  37. Shana says

    I’ve been drinking a ton of water this week and I still feel like I want to crawl under my desk and take a nap. I think the answer to being so tired is just to try to get more sleep! If only I could add a few more hours to the day. Thanks for the advice.

  38. Lindsey Whitney says

    Great post. I know it’s something I have to force myself to do during the day. Or it ends up being 2:00PM and I’ve had 4 cups of coffee and 0 cups of water. Not good.

  41. Theresa says

    What, coffee makes you tired? OMG, what will I do now? What if I drink water and take caffeine pills at the same time?

    • Jen says

      Well, coffee doesn’t make you tired its the dehydration because of the caffeine in coffee. Drink them together and you should get the jump start you are looking for. 🙂

  42. Angie says

    I literally just finished a conversation with my sister about needing to drink more water, then I filled my water bottle and came to my computer …. this is the first post I came to! I’ve got the message, loud and clear.

  43. Living the Balanced Life says

    Water is a big deal. Many women are fatigued just from minor dehydration. Make sure you are getting enough water all throughout the day, although you may want to cut back a bit in the evening so you are not up 3 times a night going to pee!
    Bernice

  44. Amy von Oven says

    I had to go off caffine due to some medical issues, all I drink now is water, and it is SO true. i feel so much better. I have energy and my body feels great! 🙂

  45. Date Girl says

    That makes sense! I have been trying to drink more water throughout the day and I have been feeling more energetic. I didn’t realize they were connected!

  47. Jade @ No Longer 25 says

    This is a great series, it’s so true that so many people who feel tired are dehydrated, I’m not a fan of drinking cold water but I drink a lot of green tea which always makes me feel better. Although I do love that first cup of coffee in the morning, that’s usually the only one I have!

    I also don’t sign up to the drinking 8 glasses of water a day idea, if someone can show me the scientific evidence that this is true I may change my mind – otherwise I refuse to send myself to the bathroom so many times!

    We do need the water it’s just that we get a lot of it from food. Anyway, don’t get me started on that one, I’m not a healthcare professional, just a scientist who wants to see all the evidence before making my own conclusions.

    Have a great weekend,
    Jade

  48. Cristina says

    It takes a lot of determination to tell yourself to drink water instead of caffeine, but you start feeling BETTER when you finally take the plunge for a few days.

  49. Cheryl says

    I believe it! But it will take time for this to work. You won’t wake up tomorrow after having had your coffee or soda for years and drink whatever and feel alive. It’s a process that takes several weeks. But I tried it and it worked for me.