When you wake up in the morning after a full night’s sleep, you’re supposed to feel completely rested and ready to start the day. Instead, many people experience the feeling of waking up tired - and staying that way.

While there is a phenomenon called sleep inertia, where you feel tired while your body transitions from sleeping to waking, it’s only supposed to last for 15 minutes to an hour. If you continuously wake up exhausted and can’t seem to find your pep, there may be an underlying issue in your health or sleeping environment that is interrupting a truly restful sleep.

Below are 5 reasons why you wake up tired, and how to counter them.

There are certain nutrients that support the human body’s Circadian rhythm, which is the official term for our natural sleep cycle. If you’re having trouble getting up in the morning, you may not be entering or staying in the stages of deep sleep that are essential for you to get a good rest. The reason for this imbalance could be a lack of vital nutrients such as Vitamin D and magnesium. Check your levels and consider taking supplementary vitamins. 

Blue light, such as the type of light emitted by electronic screens, have been scientifically proven to impede the secretion of melatonin. Melatonin is the human body’s sleep hormone, and it helps regulate our Circadian rhythm. Try keeping the tv off while you’re trying to sleep, and don’t look at your phone or tablet after you’ve decided to bed down for the night.

Caffeine is a powerful stimulant that can help you get that energy you need in the morning. But paradoxically, it can also prevent you from storing energy for the following day. Furthermore, it can keep you awake at night and steal a good night’s sleep away from you. Healthline recommends you stop drinking or consuming caffeine at least 3 to 7 hours before you plan on going to bed. 

One reason you might be waking up tired is that your bedroom is not an ideal environment for sleeping. Does your room get a lot of light from street lights, headlights, or the moon at night? Consider also if you hear a lot of noises at night, and if they keep you awake or jolt you out of sleep. Then there’s the temperature: do you find yourself sweating a lot, or shivering under the covers?

These are all environmental factors you have the power to change. Get some room darkening curtains or blinds, and perhaps some earplugs or a soothing noise machine to block out the sounds that bother you.

If you have trouble sleeping at night, and are also feeling aches and pains in your neck and shoulders, your pillow might be the culprit. A pillow that is old, thin, and worn out will not provide adequate support for your head. Believe it or not, it can also bring pain to the rest of your body, as well, making it even harder for you to fall asleep.

For less pain, better blood flow, and better sleep, you should try an Ecoden pillow. This pillow’s shape is unique because it’s contoured to fit your neck’s natural shape. It cradles your head and neck, providing you with the support your body needs to stay perfectly aligned throughout the night. The better aligned you are, the more comfortable you’ll feel. And the more sleep you’ll get.

You can purchase an Ecoden pillow here and experience the life-changing effects of a good pillow for yourself.