Fatigue

What is fatigue?

Fatigue describes a physical and/or mental condition in which a person feels run down and weak.

Although physical and mental fatigue are different, they often occur together – if a person is physically exhausted for long enough, they will also experience mental exhaustion.

When someone experiences physical fatigue, it means that they cannot carry out the usual activities they used to do with the same intensity.

Mental fatigue, however, often leads to sleepiness and then one is not able to concentrate properly.

Fatigue is a non-specific symptom, i.e. it is possible that there are several reasons for its appearance.

Mental and physical fatigue

Physical fatigue and psychological fatigue are two different aspects of fatigue that can occur either alone or in combination.

Physical fatigue is related to the depletion of the body’s physical resources and may manifest as muscle weakness or reduced physical endurance.

Performing tasks that are not normally a problem, such as climbing stairs or carrying heavy bags from the store, require more effort when physically fatigued.

It can be caused by physical exertion, insufficient sleep, lack of physical activity or health problems.

Physical fatigue is usually temporary and can be overcome by resting and restoring the body’s physical resources.

Psychological fatigue, on the other hand, is related to the depletion of a person’s mental resources.

It can manifest as difficulty concentrating, delays in completing tasks and reduced efficiency in daily activities.

With stronger psychological fatigue, the person may experience a refusal to get out of bed in the morning or perform their usual tasks during the day.

It can be caused by prolonged mental stress, insufficient sleep, emotional problems or excessive brain strain.

In most cases, physical fatigue and psychological fatigue are interrelated and mutually reinforcing.

For example, prolonged physical activity can lead to psychological fatigue, and excessive brain strain can lead to physical fatigue.

It is important to realize that mental fatigue can be life-threatening, especially when the sufferer has to perform activities that require attention and reaction, such as driving or operating machinery. Insufficient attention and delayed reactions can lead to serious consequences and risks.

To overcome mental fatigue, it is important to take time to rest and restore brain resources.

Practices such as relaxation, meditation, exercise and healthy sleep can help reduce mental fatigue.

In addition, striking a balance between work and leisure, as well as managing stressors, can help prevent mental fatigue and improve overall well-being and performance.

Symptoms of the “fatigue” condition

Symptoms of fatigue can be physical, mental or emotional in nature.

Some of the possible symptoms of fatigue can be:

• Apathy and lack of motivation;
• Difficulty concentrating;
• Dizziness;
• Hallucinations;
• Hand-eye coordination may be impaired;
• Headache;
• Indecisiveness;
• Loss of appetite;
• Abdominal bloating, abdominal pain and nausea;
• Frequent mood swings;
• Drowsiness; >
• Short-term memory disorders – appearance of inability to organize thoughts and find the right words when speaking – brain fog.
• Blurred vision;
• Slow reactions in the presence of external irritants;
• Slowed reflexes.

Fatigue Treatment

Try to go to bed and wake up at the same time every day.

Keep the temperature in your bedroom at a comfortable level for you, neither too cold nor too warm

Your last meal of the day should be no less than 1 hour and 30 minutes before bedtime.

When bedtime approaches, limit your mental and physical activity. Take warm baths and listen to soothing music.

Clear your mind of anxious thoughts and those that stress you, keeping a journal is very helpful to free your mind from everyday problems.

If you eat three meals a day, try to eat at the same time each day and follow a well-balanced diet, which will improve your overall health and this will invariably have a positive effect on your sleep. .

If you are overweight, you must change your diet and increase your physical activity, as your goal should be to normalize your weight.

Drink alcoholic and caffeinated beverages in moderation.

You should aim to maintain physical activity as it is essential for optimal body and mind functioning.

However, if you have been physically inactive until now, it is important to start gradually and with lighter exercises to avoid overtraining and the risk of injury.

Starting physical activity with lighter exercises is particularly beneficial because the body adapts to the gradual increase in physical activity.

Through regular training and exercise, muscles gradually become stronger, more durable and able to perform more difficult tasks. It is important to be patient and give your body time to adapt and develop gradually.

Physical activity has many positive effects on our health and well-being. One of them is the improved quality of sleep.

Research shows that people who engage in regular physical activity have better sleep and are better at falling asleep and staying asleep.

It is important to be physically active, as it has been found that people who exercise regularly sleep better and tire less easily, and are therefore much more productive than other non-exercising people.