It’s Wednesday morning, three days until the weekend. You’re already as exhausted as a marathon runner at the finish line. The only thing you want to do is to lie down and do nothing. Just relax.
“What happened to me? Why am I always tired? Why do my colleagues finish dozens of tasks while I can only turn on the laptop and make some coffee? I’m already on my fifth cup of coffee today.”
Do you feel the same? If tired out is your typical state, this quiz and mental age test can help you understand why. Take a moment to dive in and uncover what’s draining your energy.
“Why am I always tired?” Short quiz
1. How do you feel when you wake up in the morning?
A. Like, I haven’t slept at all — just physically and mentally exhausted.
B. Already thinking about the day’s challenges.
C. A bit heavy-hearted or anxious, even if I’ve slept well.
D. My body is tired and in pain, like I’ve run a marathon overnight.
E. Already dreaming about some coffee. I can’t wake up without it.
2. How often do you struggle to fall asleep or stay asleep?
A. Almost every night, it’s like my brain won’t shut off.
B. Rarely, and just in case I’m stressed to the max, thinking about tomorrow and how I should reply to that late boss’s email.
C. Often, because my thoughts keep racing and spiraling and I feel overwhelmed.
D. Sometimes, mostly because of physical discomfort and pain.
E. Quite a bit, especially after late caffeine or alcohol.
3. How can you describe your work-life balance?
A. I don’t even think about it — I’m too tired.
B. It’s tough, as I’m constantly juggling work and personal life.
C. Sometimes my anxiety makes it hard to manage everything.
D. I need too many sick leaves, so I can’t cope with all the tasks.
E. I’m quite a good worker on weekdays, but on weekends, I grab a few cocktails in the bar and forget about everything.
4. How’s your energy level throughout the day?
A. I’m constantly running low on energy.
B. I start strong, but stress because of the number of tasks wears me out.
C. My energy dips quickly, often due to constant worries and anxiety.
D. If I didn’t have to deal with constant pain, everything would be easier.
E. Everything is fine when I don’t forget to eat and work out a little bit.
5. How can you describe your diet?
A. I eat, but it doesn’t seem to help my energy.
B. I eat on the go and can even forget about my lunch while working.
C. Sometimes, my appetite is low, and I forget to eat. But sometimes I overeat to cope with overwhelming emotions.
D. My stomach often hurts or bloats, mostly feeling uneasy.
E. My diet is inconsistent. I love processed food.
6. How often do you skip meals?
A. Rarely, but it happens when I’m too tired to cook.
B. I’m too busy or stressed at work, so it happens pretty often.
C. Sometimes, because I don’t have much appetite.
D. I try not to skip them as I feel sick almost immediately.
E. Frequently, I just grab a cup of sugarish coffee or quick, processed food.
7. How often do you drink coffee or alcohol to get through the day or week?
A. Occasionally, but I notice it affects my sleep.
B. I often need caffeine to keep up with my busy work schedule.
C. Sometimes, but I feel much more anxious later.
D. I avoid them because of health concerns.
E. Frequently, even though I know it’s not helping my energy.
8. How do you typically spend your weekends?
A. Catching up on sleep because I’m always tired.
B. Trying to get ahead of work or household chores.
C. Trying to relax, but I often feel mentally drained.
D. Resting, mainly because my body needs it.
E. Sometimes, unwinding somewhere in the club; otherwise, staying at home and eating something processed but tasty.
9. How active are you?
A. Not very. I’m usually too tired.
B. I try to stay active, but I often feel too busy or pressed for time.
C. Physical activity helps me cope with anxiety, so I want to be more active than now.
D. It’s always incredibly hard for me to train. I try to take walks when I can.
E. I’m not very active — there are just so many other things that capture my interest.
10. How do you feel about your overall health?
A. I think my sleep is the main issue.
B. Stress from work is definitely taking a toll on me.
C. I worry about my anxiety the most.
D. I have physical health issues that need attention.
E. I know I need to improve my lifestyle choices to feel better.
Results of “Why am I always tired?” quiz
Have you already noticed some patterns in your answers? Maybe you even got some ideas on why you feel so exhausted.
Now, it’s time to uncover the truth and find out what happens.
Count how many times you chose A, B, C, D, and E. It might be helpful to jot down your totals on a piece of paper or in a notebook.
What did you choose the most? You’re ready to find the answer to the question, “Why am I so tired all the time?”
Note that there can be more than one reason. The letter you picked most often shows what’s wearing you out the most, but the other letters you chose also play a role in how you’re feeling.
Mostly A
You’re likely to have some sleep problems.
You wake up at night and can’t fall asleep again. Your mind is racing, and various thoughts go through your head. Nightmares and weird dreams are your constant companions. The minutes tick, and you hear the alarm. Should you wake up? Already?
Feeling related? This is only one of many variants of how sleep problems might feel.
People may say, “You just need some good sleep.” And in some cases, it can help. Here are some of the most obvious answers to the question, “Why do I wake up tired?”
- inconsistent sleeping schedule
- insomnia or persistent lack of sleep
- drinking too much water before bed and waking up a few times at night
- during daytime sleep affecting nighttime sleep
But what if counting sheep really helps? You sleep all night and still face the question, “Why am I so tired even after sleeping 8 hours?” Then, maybe you face some of the following:
- restless legs syndrome
- sleep apnea
- rapid eye movement sleep behavior disorder (RBD)
- narcolepsy
- bruxism
- snoring
- and many more.
How to help yourself:
- Review your sleep routine. Caffeine, alcohol, big meals, and exposure to blue light before bed can make it difficult to fall asleep. Opt for relaxing time like reading a book or meditation to sleep like a baby afterward.
- Get moving. Morning fatigue can emerge from a lack of physical activity. So, if you stay active during the day, the chances you sleep well at night and wake up refreshed are much higher.
- Visit a doctor. If you suspect yourself having the symptoms of a sleep disorder, please contact your healthcare provider. This may become the first step to a more fulfilling life.
Mostly B
Pay attention to the level of stress & work-life balance.
One more meeting. And a few emails. And an urgent task you needed to pass last Friday. Oh, no, you didn’t manage to finish it even over the weekend. Too many tasks? Or is it because you aren’t productive enough?
Stress and racing against the clock follow you wherever you go. Probably, even before taking the “Why am I so tired?” quiz, you have already noticed how the constant rush affects you.
In fact, it can stem from the work-life balance or, rather, imbalance. But stressful situations at home, financial worries, or household responsibilities can affect you as well.
How to help yourself:
- Take some “me” time. When was the last time you watched a movie without a hurry? No, really, can you even remember it? Sometimes, to recharge our batteries, we need to slow down and rest. This is an integral part of self-care.
- Be efficient, not just busy. Excessive productivity might seem like the new “religion.” TikTok, Instagram, LinkedIn — we see people doing stuff and posting about it everywhere. If you start feeling guilty, remember that you do enough. Working smarter, not harder, can help you stop feeling like you’ve run a race every evening.
- Stick to a 28-day well-being plan. Take a free test from Breeze and get personalized recommendations on how to restore your energy and find your inner spark.
Mostly C
You might experience severe anxiety.
What if I lost my job tomorrow? How would I cover my bills? And if my boyfriend decided to leave me too, how would I cope without his help? What if I ended up losing everything I’ve worked so hard for?
Anxiety. Being trapped in a constant loop of overthinking is just too much for you.
Anxious thoughts may arise from permanent stress, overwhelming responsibilities, childhood traumas, uncertainty about the future, and fear of failure. All people experience stress from time to time, so there’s nothing wrong with this feeling.
But if you feel burned out all the time without a particular reason, it might be a symptom of an anxiety condition. Particularly, the answer to, ”Why am I always tired and have no energy?” may be one of the following:
- generalized anxiety disorder (GAD)
- social anxiety disorder
- panic disorder
- depression
- obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
- post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
Here’s what Nicole Arzt, LMFT, states about persistent tiredness, “The mind and body are closely connected. We hold stress and tension within the body, even if we aren’t necessarily aware of it. This means you may “feel tired” and resonate with fatigue long before realizing you’re struggling with other mental health concerns. Therefore, if you feel constantly tired, it’s worth getting a mental health evaluation to rule out any other symptoms.”
How to help yourself:
- Tap into professional support. “Why am I so tired?” quiz doesn’t aim to identify mental health conditions or diagnose anyone. However, if you feel that something is weighing you down, consulting with a licensed therapist will be the best option.
- Embrace mindfulness and meditation. Whether you live with a mental health condition or just worry about everything, relaxation techniques can help you restore your energy.
Mostly D
When was the last time you checked your physical health?
Oh, what a busy month! You’re planning a trip to Sri Lanka, an important job meeting, and a birthday party. Thrilled and slightly overwhelmed. But then… You just find yourself in bed with a high temperature or a nagging headache. It’s the fourth time this year your plans are ruined.
Has this ever happened to you? It feels like your body has no power to continue and the question, “Why am I so tired lately?” remains unanswered. Pains come from nowhere and you feel sick quite often.
This is what can drain your emotional and physical battery:
- anemia
- diabetes
- heart diseases
- flu
- chronic fatigue syndrome
- autoimmune disorders
- and many more.
How to help yourself:
- Consult with your healthcare provider. Seems obvious but yes. If you really have some health problems, only a doctor can answer your question, “Why am I always tired?” Take care of yourself, your energy is worth the effort.
- Embrace the fact that you’re doing enough. When you experience symptoms of the illness, pushing yourself to the boundaries isn’t the best idea. Instead of doing more, try to focus on internally regrouping, as it will help you feel better much faster.
Mostly E
Lifestyle habits can make you feel out of steam.
Partying at night and sleeping all day. Your morning starts with a cup of coffee and the evening is impossible without a glass of wine. No need for breakfast or dinner, you can grab something in McDonalds. And one more coffee. Just to feel more energetic.
Only you can decide how to live, what to eat and drink, and when to go out. But while some habits can boost your energy up to the full, others may leave you 1% charged.
While there’s nothing wrong with all described above, when it turns out to be your permanent lifestyle, it can leave you running on fumes. Here’s what can make you wonder why you’re always tired:
- lack of physical activity
- dehydration
- alcohol misuse
- caffeine overdose
- smoking
- digital overdose
How to help yourself:
- Think about what makes you feel tired all the time. Listening to your body is key. Go through the list above and check what triggers your fatigue. Then, take a closer look at your daily habits and note what’s impacting your energy.
- Change your lifestyle step by step. To feel better, you may need to switch for more healthy habits and turn the page for a brighter chapter. It might be tough at first, but the rewards will be well worth the effort.
“What if none of these causes fit me?” We asked Nicole Arzt, LMFT, “Unfortunately, emotional and physical fatigue are multifaceted issues. You may not “fit” in any one experience, and that’s also typical. It may still be worth evaluating your current sleep schedule and making small lifestyle changes to see what changes. Consult with a mental health provider if you need additional support.”
Yahoo! You’ve done a great job. Use the results of the “Why am I so tired?” quiz to take a step toward a more fulfilling and energetic life. It’s time to set out on a path to happiness.
