Fatigue is a feeling of tiredness, exhaustion, or lack of energy. It's your body's way of signaling that you need to slow down and rest. We all experience fatigue, but it becomes problematic when it's severe, lasts a long time, or gets in the way of daily life. There are two main types of fatigue:
- Physical fatigue - This refers to tired muscles and an overall drained feeling after physical exertion. It's normal to feel physically tired after exercise, a long day of physical labor, or not getting enough sleep. The key is that it usually goes away after adequate rest.
- Mental fatigue - Also called brain fog, this manifests as difficulty concentrating, reduced motivation, struggling to process information, and lowered productivity. Mental tasks like studying, working, or planning can drain mental energy reserves.
- Lack of sleep - Not getting those 7-9 hours can severely impact next day energy levels.
- Poor diet - Nutrient deficiencies, blood sugar spikes/crashes, and dehydration sap energy.
- Illnesses - Infections, thyroid disorders, anemia, and other diseases often produce fatigue.
- Medications - Many prescription and over-the-counter drugs list fatigue as a side effect.
- Emotional issues - Stress, anxiety, and depression frequently cause exhaustion.