A person tired of everything could be described as burnt out, emotionally exhausted, jaded, disillusioned, or experiencing anhedonia (inability to feel pleasure), often linked to conditions like depression or chronic stress. Common terms include "burnt out," "drained," "resigned," or "world-weary," reflecting deep mental fatigue and lack of motivation for things that once brought joy.
3 Types of Burnout and Coping Strategies
Hypersomnia is any condition that makes you feel extremely sleepy during the day. This happens even though you get a healthy amount of sleep (or more than enough). Everyone wishes they could take a midday nap once in a while. But hypersomnia is more serious.
Myalgic encephalomyelitis, also called chronic fatigue syndrome or ME/CFS, is a long-term condition that can affect different parts of the body. The most common symptom is extreme tiredness. The cause of ME/CFS is unknown. ME/CFS can affect anyone, including children.
Common causes of tiredness and fatigue include: not getting enough sleep or finding it hard to get to sleep (insomnia) an unhealthy lifestyle (such as having an unhealthy diet and not getting much exercise) stress, depression and dealing with life challenges, such as bereavement or looking after a new baby.
Vitamin and mineral deficiencies, including B2, B3, B5, B6, B9, B12, C, D, iron, and magnesium, are among the most common causes of unexplained fatigue. Vitamin D deficiencies affect over 50% of the global population, and approximately 12.5% have iron deficiency anemia.
The four Ps are problem solving, planning, prioritising and pacing. The aim is to think of the four Ps at the beginning of each day or week to help you manage your energy levels.
A common medicine prescribed is the stimulant modafinil (Provigil). This medicine can help you stay awake during the day. Possible side effects of modafinil are headaches, dry mouth, nausea, diarrhea, loss of appetite and weight loss. Armodafinil (Nuvigil) also can treat idiopathic hypersomnia.
The 40s and 50s
Both fluctuations can result in lower energy levels, feeling lethargic, and less muscle mass. Again, the 40s and 50s impact people differently, with some noticing fewer effects than others. However, during this stage, people will usually notice they're "getting old".
Symptoms
Fatigue red flags signal potentially serious issues beyond normal tiredness, including unexplained weight loss, persistent fever, night sweats, shortness of breath, chest pain, severe headaches, confusion, or new neurological/joint problems alongside exhaustion. Other signs include fatigue worsening with activity, significant cognitive/mood changes, or lack of energy despite rest, suggesting conditions like infection, autoimmune disease, heart problems, cancer, or mental health issues, warranting prompt medical evaluation.
Some decline in energy is to be expected with age, but intense and life-altering fatigue is concerning. Aging doesn't have to completely impair you or prevent you from living your life to the fullest. You shouldn't accept these signs and symptoms as a normal part of the aging process.
Mental fatigue, also called cognitive fatigue or emotional exhaustion, is a state of persistent tiredness that stems from ongoing mental and emotional strain. It goes beyond the typical stress you might feel from a busy day or week. Unlike the temporary effects of a long day, mental exhaustion compounds with time.
The "42% rule" for burnout suggests dedicating roughly 42% of your day (about 10 hours) to rest and recovery activities like sleep, hobbies, exercise, and socializing to prevent mental and physical exhaustion, countering the "always on" culture that leads to burnout. It's a science-backed guideline emphasizing that sustainable success requires balancing intense work with sufficient downtime for your brain and body to recharge, not just a quick nap.
Understanding Burnout
Burnout is specifically characterized by feelings of extreme exhaustion, cynicism towards one's job, and a sense of ineffectiveness. Unlike a nervous breakdown, burnout is specifically related to one's professional life and cumulative workplace stress.
What are the 12 stages of burnout?
Physical decline often begins when people enter their 50s, according to data from the Physical Performance Across the Lifespan Study (PALS), a collaboration between the MURDOCK Study and Duke Claude D.
You also might crave certain foods. Fatigue: Feeling exhausted often or constantly is possible with vitamin C deficiency (scurvy). It can also happen if you have anemia from a lack of vitamins B6, B9 and B12.
Self-help tips to fight tiredness
Hypersomnia means excessive sleepiness. There are many different causes, the most common in our society being inadequate sleep. This may be due to shiftwork, family demands (such as a new baby), study or social life. Other causes include sleep disorders, medication, and medical and psychiatric illnesses.
Meet Our Hypersomnia Disorder Team
Depending on your needs, your care team will include providers like: Neurologists. Pulmonologists. Otolaryngologists.
Doctors may recommend carnitine supplements (such as Carnitor) to treat excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS).
Dietary suggestions for fighting fatigue
Fatigue becomes worrisome when it lasts over a couple of weeks without relief, disrupts daily activities, comes on suddenly without a clear cause, or is accompanied by "red flag" symptoms like unexplained weight loss, shortness of breath, fever, unusual bleeding, severe headaches, or chest pain, indicating a need to see a doctor promptly. It's crucial to seek medical advice if rest, good nutrition, and stress management don't improve your energy levels.
Fatigue indicators to include: time of incident, number of days into shift pattern, number of hours into shift, number of rest days in previous 14 day period, rest in previous 24 hours, amount of sleep in previous 72 hours, work activity, commute time.