Are You Sleepy or Tired?

Are You Sleepy or Tired?

“I’m so tired!”

This is one of the most common phrases we say to one another, especially as we are navigating crazy work hours, family responsibilities, and social engagements. The real question, however, is: What do we mean when we say we are tired? Are we tired OR are we sleepy?

You may have a confused look on your face and think that these words and phrases mean the same thing. You are not alone. Many people confuse these two concepts, but the reality is that “sleepy” and “tired” have very different meanings. 

So let’s talk about the difference. Sleepiness is the desire to fall asleep. An easy way to think about sleepiness would be to think about the feeling you have right before you fall asleep. You may notice that your eyes get heavy, you yawn, your heart rate slows, and you start to nod off. When and why would someone experience sleepiness? The most common and routine feeling of sleepiness occurs each night around our bedtime. You may also be sleepy at different times of the day if you are not receiving the amount of sleep that you need, have an untreated sleep disorder such as sleep apnea, or are taking sedating medications for conditions such as the flu or the common cold. We may also feel a bit of sleepiness in the afternoon when we experience a natural circadian “dip”. This is often the sluggish post-lunch feeling many of us can relate to, which is completely normal, healthy, and brief.   

Tiredness, on the other hand, can be described as fatigue, lack of energy, and exhaustion. Imagine times when you come home from a difficult day at work, sit on the couch and don’t have it in you to get up and get things done. Perhaps you are drained physically, mentally, and even emotionally. When and why would someone experience tiredness (fatigue)? The answer to this question is complex. Many people experience fatigue either throughout the day or at different times during the day. The causes of fatigue are close to endless, and can be summarized into two major categories: Health conditions (both physical and mental) and lifestyle factors. Hundreds of medical conditions can cause fatigue. A few examples include hypo/hyperthyroidism, anemia, arthritis, chronic pain, cancer, congestive heart failure and diabetes. Mental health conditions such as depression, anxiety, chronic pain, and insomnia can lead to fatigue. A few general lifestyle factors that cause fatigue include too much or too little physical activity, too much screen time, dehydration, chronic stress, boredom, and too much caffeine. These lists are by no means exhaustive and are meant to provide a general sense of the possibilities!

It’s important to note that we can absolutely experience both sleepiness and fatigue simultaneously. The key is to understand the difference between the two and be able to identify when we are experiencing one versus the other. If we are sleepy, we want to prioritize sleep and ensure that we get the quality and quantity of sleep that we need and deserve. Sleepiness during the day can be very dangerous if we are driving, taking care of young children or operating heavy machinery. If we are fatigued, we want to assess our health and lifestyle to identify what may be causing it. Recognizing what we mean when we say, “I’m tired,” can be an excellent way to help us improve our quality of life. We don’t want to blame sleep entirely for our "tiredness" when there are many aspects of our lives we can work on to feel better, and we don’t want to blame fatigue when we would actually benefit from prioritizing sleep. 

**Please consult your physician and sleep doctor if you have questions or concerns about your fatigue and sleepiness levels.