You've just finished another workday and instead of feeling accomplished, you feel exhausted. Sound familiar? You're not alone. Many people end their workday exhausted, both mentally and physically, wondering how to have energy after work to "get on with life."
According to the Workplace Health Report, 61% of employees have difficulty being productive due to fatigue.
But why do we feel tired after work? What is the cause of this fatigue at the end of the day that makes us want to go to bed?
The answer isn’t as simple as “work hard.” There’s a deep connection between how we feel after work and our overall mental and physical health. That’s where a healthy work-life balance comes into play. Finding the right work-life balance is critical to overall well-being.
Let's explore ways to turn that after-work slump into an energized afternoon to tackle whatever comes next.
Disclaimer: _The purpose of this article is to provide information on productivity tools and strategies. It is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment of any health condition.
Understanding the causes of fatigue
Fatigue is not the same as being tired. cayman islands number data It's that feeling of heaviness that makes even the simplest task seem like a mountain to climb. And prolonged fatigue leads to burnout .
The three main causes of burnout and how they manifest:
Physical fatigue: Low energy levels; feeling tired when performing work-related tasks
Emotional exhaustion: Lack of emotional energy to interact with coworkers or clients
Cognitive fatigue: Slow thinking and inability to make decisions
The relationship between fatigue and burnout is a vicious cycle. As burnout progresses, energy reserves become depleted. This poor performance can lead to feelings of inadequacy or guilt, which further fuel the cycle of stress and burnout. Breaking free from this cycle requires addressing both the burnout and the result of fatigue.
One of the most common causes of fatigue is lack of sleep. We all know the “zombie-like” feeling we get when we haven’t gotten enough sleep. Lack of sleep affects everything from mood to physical energy. It can lead to long-term fatigue, when prolonged rest doesn’t fully relieve physical or mental tiredness.
Lack of sleep affects every aspect of life. It can weaken the immune system and contribute to weight gain, high blood pressure and even heart disease.
However, did you know that emotional heavyweights like chronic stress, pain, and depression can drain your energy faster than physical exertion ? Stress keeps your body in a state of heightened alert, constantly primed to react to challenges. Pain and depression drain our energy and cause physical and mental fatigue.
Read also: Signs that you are overworked
The different types of fatigue
Fatigue manifests itself in different ways. Let's break it down.
Physical exhaustion
Physical exhaustion is the most common type of fatigue. It occurs when your body is overworked and does not have enough time to recover.
You may experience muscle aches, weakness, muscle soreness, a general lack of energy, and trouble concentrating. It's as if your body is screaming for a break and saying, "Enough!"
This fatigue is common in people who perform physically demanding jobs or exercises without leaving enough time for restful sleep and recovery.