I'm so tired!

deeDawntee, RN · Aug 11, 2007

I'm a nursing student, and I'm tired ALL the time. I need some energy! By diet is decent, I kind of exercise, I get at least 7 hours of sleep, and I take a multivitamin. I take One a Day Womens. Someone suggested I try One a Day All Day Energy. Anyone ever try it? Does it work? Anybody have any ideas how I can get more energy?

The stress of being a nursing student and all that effort required in studying and being under scrutiny is definitely an energy drainer. I would say the first think you have to do is to NOT beat yourself up for being tired. It is a normal response to the extra stress. Is 7 hours of sleep enough? Is there a day or two a week when you can sleep in a little longer?

Now, that being said, I would highly recommend that you make an appointment with your Doctor, just to be sure that all of your labs are OK.

How are your emotions, do you feel that you are stressed out? If so there is a lot you can do to manage anxiety.

Is there anything that you can do for yourself that you know will recharge your batteries? Like a walk in a beautiful park or maybe even a little retail therapy? or a massage, or a good movie, or go horseback riding, or go to the spa??

llg, PhD, RN · Aug 11, 2007

7 hours is not enough for a lot of people. You may need more. If getting more sleep doesn't help, then you should see your doctor before you start relying on drugs to give yourself more energy. You might have mononucleosis or some other medical reason for your extreme tiredness.

A few years ago, when I was 48, I dragged myself around all summer -- feeling tired (but not sick) all the time. I blamed it on menopause. When I had some lab work done for something else, they discovered I had mono. What I thought were mild hot flashes in the afternoons were actually a fever. It can happen at any age.

santhony44, MSN, RN, NP · Aug 11, 2007

The suggestion that you get a check up is a very good one. There may be something physical causing the tiredness.

Ditto the suggestion about sleep!

Also, be very careful about taking any kind of OTC "energy booster." I've seen them cause tachycardia and elevated blood pressure, which could be dangerous. Besides, many of them either contain megadoses of some vitamins, or just lots of caffeine!

SuesquatchRN, BSN, RN · Aug 11, 2007

Find a way to take a weekend off from studying and sleep.

My last week of nursing school I was in the car on a highway and thought to myself, "If I just close my eyes I'll fall asleep...."

Sleep.

Eirene, ASN, RN · Aug 11, 2007

i was so there a few quarters ago. nothing seemed to help.

and then one day after class, instead of picking up my little boy from daycare (it was 12), i went home and took a mid-day nap. what a refresher! i woke up, studied a bit, and then went to pick up my little guy at 5. i went back to bed at 11 (like normal) and slept all through the night-- hard.

i do that now when i start to feel drained and overly tired. it really does help.

edited to add:

i also start out the day with a smoothie energy booster full of vitamin c.

1 c. frozen strawberries

1 med. banana

1/3 c. oj

1.5 c. light vanilla soymilk

PeachyERNurse, BSN, RN · Aug 12, 2007

Thanks everybody for your suggestions. I meant to say I average about 7 hours of sleep per night, but sometimes I do get 9 or 10 and still feel tired. I'm definitely gonna go to the doctor to make sure everything's ok.

diane227, LPN, RN · Dec 11, 2008

Are you depressed? Lack of energy is one symptom of depression. I had this for a long time and was finally diagnosed with depression. My medication really helps me a lot.

Chixie · Dec 11, 2008

I have to have a 30-45 minute sleep most days-it helps no end and it means im a much nicer person Ive also found eating berries and nuts helps me with tiredness

Natingale, EdD, RN · Dec 11, 2008

I nap in the daytime, and it really does re energize my battery when Im running low. It feels SOOOOOOO good let me tell ya.

chnc1024, ASN · Dec 11, 2008

Your profile doesn't state if you are male or female... Could you be pregnant? With all 3 of my kids I was dog tired at first...

Good Luck!

Chancie

ChristineN, BSN, RN · Dec 11, 2008

I was absolutely exhausted in nursing school. I was going to school full-time, while working full-time. I was at the hospital 7 days a week for either work or school. I got very little sleep, and it wasn't uncommon for me to fall asleep in class (I never did on purpose, I was just so exhausted from trying to stay afloat). Even when I went to my dr for a checkup, they thought there had to be something wrong, but all my labs came back normal (she was mainly worried about Hyperthyroidism).

I know it's hard, but try to get away from studying and school for a while. Read a novel, spend time with friends, etc. It might make you feel alot better. :)