Fatigue is described as feeling tired or exhausted, weary and lethargic. Fatigue can be both physical and mental, and it hinders our everyday lives. Sometimes we feel this way because we’ve worked hard – but other times, we feel fatigued and we don’t know why.
Mental fatigue means that we are listless. It causes us to feel sleepy, and makes it hard for us to concentrate. Sometimes it means we have a hard time getting out of bed, or going about our daily activities. It can sometimes be dangerous to our health, especially if the day includes operating a vehicle or other machinery.
Physical fatigue is an actual inability to perform daily tasks. It means we cannot do something, not just that we don’t feel like it. We have a difficult time lifting, moving, climbing or any other physical tasks.
Some other symptoms of fatigue include:
sore muscles, dizziness, irritability, loss of appetite, short-term memory impairment, apathy
What are the causes of fatigue?
That question of why are we fatigued can go unanswered for many people. There can sometimes be severe underlying issues associated with long-term fatigue, which is why it is always important to remain aware of your symptoms. But, some of the most common cases of fatigue are caused by stress.
There are times when a little bit of stress can jumpstart our minds and bodies, but often our levels of stress are too high and too frequent. Mental health issues such as anxiety, eating disorders, drug or alcohol abuse, and depression are major stressors in the lives of people all over the world.
Treatment of fatigue
When you are experiencing fatigue, it is good to take into consideration your medical history, any current illnesses that you may have, as well as your lifestyle. With stress-related fatigue, the key is to try and eliminate the stress! It is not always possible to eliminate our stressors entirely, but we can take some steps to lessen fatigue:
- Exercise regularly and in moderation
- Physically and mentally relax in the evenings to prepare for sleep
- Do not crash diet and try to eat at the same times each day
- Eating well-balanced meals
- Do not eat within two hours of going to sleep
- Trying to go to sleep and wake up at the same time each day
A detoxification can also help with increasing energy, reducing mood disorders and improving sleep. Read more information about detoxification here!
