Living in the modern world can be stressful and tiring for many people. Between balancing a career and family, not to mention maintaining friendships and still trying to find time for personal growth, life can get busy and exhausting. Sleep is vital to overall health, but studies show that more than 70 million Americans suffer from a sleep disorder. So how tired is too tired and when does normal fatigue from busy lives become something else?
15 signs of exhaustion and what to do when you’re counting sheep instead of Z’s.
Exhaustion can affect how your mind operates and can make it difficult to focus on normal life. Finding it hard to concentrate on simple tasks, being confused, or just generally feeling a lack of mental clarity could stem from being too tired. The good news is that maintaining a sleep schedule, exercising, and eating healthy can help a fuzzy mind repair itself. Reach out to a medical professional if your symptoms don’t improve, as the doctor will want to make sure it’s not anything serious, such as a concussion or multiple sclerosis.
It’s really difficult to reach for carrot sticks over sugary doughnuts even in normal circumstances; however, add in utter exhaustion to the mix and it would take a herculean effort to grab the healthy option. People tend to make worse food choices when they’re overly fatigued because lack of sleep can actually alter our hunger hormones and disrupt our circadian rhythms. If you find yourself stuffing your mouth with fried foods and irresistible sugary treats, it could be time to visit your doctor to see if there’s a way to curb the cravings.
Feeling constantly stressed is tiring in itself, but it can also lead to chronic fatigue. If you aren’t sleeping right because of the stresses of life, it’s hard to feel good during the day. Identifying the source of the stress will go a long way in helping alleviate the symptoms of fatigue. Also adding in yoga or light exercise can quiet your mind, leading to a better night’s sleep. Finally, make sure you talk to a healthcare professional if stress is negatively impacting your sleep, and your life.
Maybe the scale isn’t budging, or the time on your runs is slipping—it might not be caused by a lack of motivation, it could be due to fatigue. When our bodies are exhausted, it can be nearly impossible to gather the energy to exercise to our full potential. However, even small movements can actually combat fatigue and give you an energy boost that can snowball into feeling less tired in the long term. Before starting—or restarting—a fitness program, make sure you get the go-ahead from a medical professional
If you find yourself tossing and turning all night, it could not only make you more tired in the morning—it could be a sign of chronic exhaustion. It’s a cycle that’s hard to break and sleep deficiencies have many negative effects on our health and well-being. If you think you’re suffering from insomnia, talking to a doctor should be your first step, but you can also fix your sleep hygiene by making sleep a priority, avoiding screens before bed, and making sure your bedroom is comfortable.
Dry, cracked lips are not only uncomfortable, but also unsightly, and could even be related to exhaustion. If you’re feeling drained and no amount of lip balm is soothing your skin, you could be exhibiting signs of dehydration. Feeling fatigued from not being hydrated enough is more common than you’d think, with up to 75 per cent of Americans being chronically dehydrated. Drinking enough water during your day is a sure way to avoid moderate dehydration, keep energy levels up, and help keep your lips supple and smooth.
Snapping at loved ones and becoming irritable for seemingly no reason can be a symptom of burnout and emotional exhaustion. If you find yourself moody along with being bone-tired, it could be a sign that you’re too tired. According to a 2022 study by the American Psychological Association, nearly one-third of workers reported high levels of emotional exhaustion, which could result in becoming too burned out to function day to day. Seeking help from a mental health specialist might be a good idea if you just can’t shake the bad mood and it’s affecting your overall health and life.
Feeling under the weather happens to everyone—it’s a normal human experience to get sick once in a while. Most healthy adults catch a cold two to three times a year, but if you’re going through boxes and boxes of tissues on a regular basis and you feel more meh than fab, it could be a sign of exhaustion. Putting your body into a state of constant stress and exhaustion can easily lead to a worn-out immune system. Check with your doctor if you just can’t shake the sickness to rule out anything serious.
A feeling of tightness in your chest, not being able to get enough air in your lungs, and working harder to breathe are all signs of dyspnea, or shortness of breath. If you find this happening to you, it could be a sign of a condition like asthma, or heart and lung problems. It also could be a sign that you’re beyond exhausted and even showing signs of anxiety. If getting to the top of a flight of stairs is taking way too much effort, it might be time to book a visit with your healthcare provider.
Exhaustion can affect every part of a person’s life, and relationships can be at risk when a person is feeling particularly burnt out. Not only can it be a struggle to put emotional energy into the relationship, but it’s hard to find the energy to enjoy activities together. However, putting that effort into relationships pays off by boosting mental health, reducing rates of anxiety and depression, and even strengthening your immune system.
It’s your castle, your refuge, and your comfort zone. However, avoiding social interactions, neglecting your health and outside chores that need to be done—all so you don’t have to leave the house—might be a sign that you’re burnt out. Agoraphobia, the inability to leave a known environment, is a serious medical issue and sufferers should seek medical help. But even if you are just unable to muster the energy to emerge from your den, it could be a sign that you’re burnt out and isolating yourself from people and responsibilities.
Naps on a sleepy Sunday afternoon are sometimes what makes a weekend a relaxing one. But if you find yourself falling asleep at times and places that are inappropriate—like at the office, or while driving a car—it could mean that not only are you exhausted but also burnt out. There are many medical conditions that could cause excessive sleepiness and you should always get checked out by your doctor if you’re exhibiting symptoms.
Does your skin have a dull and dry look and your hair is not bouncy and shiny anymore? It could be from being exhausted. It’s extra hard to put effort into your appearance when you’re tired all the time, and stress can actually cause a loss of collagen and melanin in the skin. Getting enough sleep and ensuring you’re hydrated will go a long way in getting back that dewy glow and those luscious locks.
Not caring about your work responsibilities could have drastic repercussions when it comes to your career, but it’s hard to concentrate and put effort in when you’re too tired. Exhaustion can have a negative effect on your work life if you’re beyond exhausted. One study found that more than 60 per cent of employees feel burnt out and exhausted at work, which directly impacts their performance. Maintaining a healthy sleep schedule and re-evaluating why you’re feeling so burnt out could go a long way in creating change.
In very stressful times, many people will self-medicate to ease their problems. Burnout and intense exhaustion can cause many to overindulge in alcohol or other substances. According to the CDC, up to 17 per cent of adults binge-drink and six per cent report heavy drinking. However, turning to alcohol can often cause the problems to just deteriorate because many report worse sleep outcomes after a night of drinking. If you or a loved one is having issues with drinking or addiction, reach out to a trusted medical professional for help.
