Fatigue is also known as tiredness. It is an extreme tiredness resulting from mental or physical exertion or illness. Although physical and mental fatigue are different, the two often exist together - if a person is physically exhausted for long enough, they will also be mentally tired.
It is very common and can affect work and social life. Causes of fatigue can be psychological, physiological and physical.
Culprit: Fatigue
Fatigue can make it tough to concentrate, even when you have few distractions. Studies suggest too little sleep can sap your attention span and short-term memory.
Fatigue is a symptom, rather than a sign. A symptom is something the patient feels and describes, such as a headache or dizziness, while a sign is something the doctor can detect without talking to the patient, such as a rash.
Some of the signs and symptoms of fatigue:
- Aching or sore muscles
- Apathy, lack of motivation
- Chronic (long-term) tiredness
- Difficulty in concentrating
- Dizziness
- Hand-to-eye coordination may be impaired
- Headache
- Impaired judgment
- Indecisiveness
- Irritability
- Loss of appetite
- Moodiness
- Poorer immune system function
Fatigue Fix:
Most adults need 7-9 hours of sleep per night. Instead of burning the midnight oil, make sleep a priority. This will help you get more done during your waking hours. Also, pay attention to which times of day you feel most alert. Then you'll know when to schedule your most intense tasks.
Some of the fixes:
- Improving your sleep habits and ensuring adequate sleep
- Exercising regularly and balancing rest and activity
- Drinking plenty of water
- Eating healthily to avoid becoming overweight or underweight
- Proper time management: Setting realistic expectations for workload and schedule
- Taking time to relax, perhaps trying meditation
- Identifying and dealing with stressors by, for example, taking time off work or resolving issues if any in relationship.
A lifestyle in 3 words:
Health is wealth.