It's hard to function when you are tired, something that every parent, college student, full time employee and business owner can tell you

It's hard to function when you are tired, something that every parent, college student, full time employee and business owner can tell you. One of the biggest contributors to chronix exhaustion is not getting enough sleep, followed closely by not getting a good night sleep.

Frequently, the stress in our daily lives is carried over into our nights, causing difficulty falling asleep, restlessness, fitful sleep and bad dreams. Therefore, one of the best ways to get a better night sleep is to reduce your stress level. There are plenty of ways to reduce the amount of stress in your life, and to manage the stress you can't get rid of. One of those ways is by paying attention to your diet.

For many people, their "go to" when they are tired is caffeine. While caffeine does stimulate your system and make you feel more awake, the stimulation doesn't last. This is where the "crash" in the afternoons comes from. A healthier alternative is to fuel your body with foods known to support energy levels, such as whole grains, natural fruits and vegetables, plain nuts and lean meats.

In fact, it's a good idea to avoid caffeine as much as possible if you are struggling with stress induced chronix exhaustion. While a cup of unsweetened green tea offers many health benefits as part of an overall healthy diet, a 20 ounce bottle of sweetened green iced tea has few if any health benefits. This is because of the high levels of sugar, which is many people's second "go to" when they are tired.

Like caffeine, sugar stimulates your system and makes you feel more awake. And like caffeine, when the sugar is digested by your system, you experience a "crash". These "crashes" that come after caffeine and sugar stimulants wear off happen almost daily for many people, and are the main contributor to many people's chronix exhaustion. (Not to mention weight gain, which is another topic altogether.)

If you are struggling with chronix exhaustion, and also have a great deal of stress in your life, find ways to reduce your stress levels. And while you are doing that, instead of reaching for that plate of cookies or that Mountain Dew big slam, reach for a cup of plain tea and a bag of plain almonds instead. And plan your meals similarly. When your body has the nutrients it needs, and not a lot of junk that it doesn't, it can do a better job of helping you fight stress and stay healthy.