Fatigue is frequently described as a lack of both physical and emotional energy and motivation. Read on to understand the different types of fatigue and how you can cope with them.

In our fast-paced modern society, it is typical for people to grow tired or even fatigued. Many times, you may find yourself rushing from one task to the next, with little time to ground, balance, and soothe your soul.

It’s not always possible to pinpoint the exact cause of a lack of energy. If you’re feeling exhausted all the time or for no apparent cause, it could be an indication of fatigue.

Fatigue is a state of intense exhaustion that is accompanied by other emotions such as apathy, cynicism, and impatience. It is defined as a sensation of weariness, exhaustion, or a lack of energy that persists despite rest. People may experience weariness in their bodies or minds (physical or psychological fatigue).

Fatigue is usually caused by one or more of your behaviors or routines. Fatigue is a common and crucial reaction to physical activity, poor dietary habits, emotional stress, boredom, or a lack of sleep. However, in some circumstances, exhaustion is a symptom of an underlying medical problem that necessitates medical attention. 

Fatigue can be of different types of impacts, read on to know more details.

What is fatigue?

Fatigue refers to a general sensation of a lack of energy. It’s not the same as feeling drowsy or sleepy. When you are tired, you lack motivation and energy. Sleepiness is a symptom of weariness, but it is not the same thing. People who suffer from fatigue have one or more of three major symptoms. These differ from person to person. They are as follows:

Physical symptoms include:

• Feeling tired or exhausted.
• Sleep disruptions and pattern changes (either too much or too little)
• Headaches, muscle tension, and bodily aches
• Appetite changes
• Problems with the stomach and digestive system
• Colds that are unexplained or occur frequently
• High blood pressure or irregular heartbeat

Emotional symptoms include:

• Feeling uninterested in routine tasks
• A lack of motivation both at work and at home
• Irritation and moodiness
• Being easily irritated by others
• Cynicism, uncertainty, and pessimism
• A constant sense that something bad is about to occur
• Feeling constantly overworked or stressed

Fatigue is frequently a symptom with a gradual onset, which means it appears gradually and worsens over time. Most people who suffer from fatigue are unaware of how much energy they waste. They can only determine this by comparing their ability to do tasks from one time to the next.

What are the types of fatigue?

Social fatigue

This exhaustion might occur after chatting with someone (or many people) for an extended time. Fatigue may arise following in-person communication, particularly when going out or driving to meet up, which demands more energy. Responding to text messages or comments on social media can also produce exhaustion. Furthermore, video calls are a novel mode of communication that necessitates an entirely new degree of effort, particularly for individuals who are not technologically proficient. Setting up a call and being on television could make someone anxious. Social fatigue can leave us feeling overwhelmed, worried, and exhausted, affecting our energy levels.

Emotional fatigue

Emotional weariness refers to prolonged feelings of grief, anger, depression, or frustration. It’s like when we’re sad, cry a lot, and our eyes hurt afterward. The body is harmed because so much energy is expended to experience those feelings, which might leave us exhausted.

Physical fatigue

This type of weariness is caused by physical exercise. It can occur as a result of taking a shower, preparing a meal, or running. Many people enjoy the sensation of physical exhaustion after engaging in activity since it might have benefits such as improved sleep.

Pain fatigue

Pain could have contributed to a poor night’s sleep, resulting in weariness the next day. Expressing your grief to someone else can be exhausting, resulting in emotional exhaustion. The mental side of pain can sometimes make us feel melancholy and so weary. When every movement hurts, finding the energy to move becomes increasingly difficult.

Mental fatigue

This is the result of using a lot of mental energy. Doing puzzles, problem-solving, and answering questions are some examples. More cognitive symptoms, such as brain fog, are prevalent after this activity. In my experience, if I perform these types of activities late at night, my brain has a difficult time shutting down.

How can you cope with fatigue?

Take a breather.

Rest and recharge time can help alleviate feelings of mental weariness.

A break could imply any of the following:

• Emptying your schedule of non-essential duties.
• Reserving an hour of time for yourself each day, leaving your workplace during lunch for a leisurely meal, walk, or other nonwork activity.
• Setting aside an evening or two each week to have dinner or see a movie with friends.

Attempt to get more sleep.

Quality sleep promotes more than simply physical wellness. It is critical for general health, including mental and emotional well-being. Getting the recommended 7 to 8 hours of sleep per night can assist with both mental and physical weariness. How can you ensure a better night’s sleep? Avoid spending too much time in bed throughout the day, which you may be tempted to do during times of mental tiredness.

Exercise

When you’re already not feeling well, finding the motivation to exercise may be more difficult than usual. Nonetheless, regular physical activity can improve your mood, energy levels, and cognitive function, not to mention your overall physical well-being. You don’t even have to engage in a complicated or high-intensity activity to gain benefits. If you’re able, modest exercise, such as a brisk half-hour stroll, can still improve your mood and make you feel calmer and more relaxed.

Be realistic about how much you can accomplish.

Many of us in the modern world never get to the bottom of our to-do lists. They never seem to end. Accepting that you will never complete all of your tasks can be extremely liberating. Remind yourself that there are always opportunities to do more and achieve more in a world full of possibilities. Overall, this is a good thing since if you can’t do something now, chances are another comparable (or better) opportunity will come along later.

Try something new.

We don’t typically make time as grownups to play or explore new things. While you probably can’t envision adding another thing to your plate, it’s worthwhile to push yourself outside of your comfort zone. Trying new activities might provide an energy boost, especially if it’s something you’ve always wanted to do. If the new task is difficult or complex, you may even enter flow, which is well known as an antidote to burnout.

Practice what you love

Inadequate relaxation and leisure time can lead to burnout or stress-related weariness. Work pressures, “few vacations or leisure time,” and working overtime are all associated with stress-related weariness. It is critical to take some time off because stress can lead to weariness. Hobbies, such as going for walks or reading a book, are wonderful activities to indulge in during downtime.

Fatigue can make it difficult to get out of bed in the morning and inhibit a person from carrying out their daily responsibilities. It can be caused by a mental or physical health condition, medication use, chronic pain, or various other factors.

Take a break and give yourself permission to rest when necessary. Avoid pushing yourself past your limits by sticking to a healthy action plan.