Could it be the caffeine?

Amy_B

I am teaching summer school half days right now as opposed to full days during the school year. This means I drive home (45 minutes) at noon each day. By 1:30 or earlier, I feel exhausted! I don't have this feeling normally during the school year. I have been drinking 2 cups of coffee on average each morning, both times with creamer and a bit of sugar. Could this be causing my crash later in the day? It's gotten to the point that I either need a nap in the afternoon or another cup of coffee. I don't know that I want to give up coffee completely, but should I at least limit it to one cup/day. Any other ideas as to what might be causing this?

(Note: I have been having allergy issues lately, but I'm not sure the two would be related.)

FitToBeFab

I learned about sleepy hygiene in one of my classes, and I know that if you nap around the same time of day for several days, your body will get used to it, and expect to be sleeping at that time.

Are you having lunch before or after you get home? You might just need that extra boost of blood sugar mid-day.

Those are just my thoughts. :happy:

KiriKiriKiri

It very well could be the allergies and it also could be the caffeine. People tend to think that caffeine will boost your energy and while it does, it can also cause the adverse reaction after awhile...a crash, in essence. Have you had your Iron checked? That is also another possibility as well... tough call. Quitting caffeine can be such a bummer with the headaches and exhaustion at first, but I (personally) felt a million times better once I was off the stuff. It's different for everyone though. Best of luck to you!!!

Precious_Nissa

You may just need vitamins...maybe an increase of iron or fiber will give you that extra boost....its easier to get tired in summer time because heat is simply exhausting.....

Amy_B

I generally eat a snack about halfway through the summer school day during the kids' break time. It's been something usually with carbs and protein if I can help it. I then eat lunch when I get home around 1pm.

I wasn't taking naps before summer school, so my body wasn't used to napping. I only rarely took naps on the weekends before then.

I do take a multi-vitamin daily, but I probably need to get my iron checked. Could that cause fatigue?

I don't know that I want to give up coffee completely because I like it so much. Maybe I could just limit it or eventually switch to decaf, but I'm not too fond of that idea.

thanks!

sandara

Low iron can definitely cause fatigue. I was coming home from work and going to bed every day before I found out my iron was low. Also had other signs I wasn't aware of. Restless legs, leg cramps, and food cravings. It's important that you do not increase your iron withoug having it checked. High iron can cause serious problems also.