THE “ALWAYS TIRED” FEELING…

Do you feel tired most of the time? Fatigue is so common that it is considered a disease. What is the reason behind feeling tired all the time? It is seen that when a person does something enjoyable after hours of work, such as play a game, swim, dance or go for any fun activity, almost at once, one’s tiredness vanishes.

One feels less tired when doing something that one enjoys than doing even easier tasks that one does not enjoy. Many persons get tired without exerting themselves at all. Even the thought of having to do certain things makes some feel tired.

Those who do the most strenuous work seldom complain of fatigue. They do feel tired, so they eat, rest and they get refreshed. If one continuously pushes one’s body day and night, that ‘always tired’ feeling appears. This nagging fatigue is an indication that one needs more rest and sleep.

But what if circumstances do not permit one to get sufficient sleep at night? Or what if one simply lacks the stamina and develops fatigue during the day? Many have found the solution, to have a short daytime nap. For some, a halfhour afternoon nap is equivalent to the three hours of night sleep. A daily nap removes feelings of fatigue and also helps some to drop off to sleep quickly.

Sometimes, a person may discover that no amount of sleep or rest relieves them of the ‘always tired’ feeling. If this is the case, it is best to have a physical check-up.

This ‘tired’ feeling is not imaginary. At times, it is due to mental strain. Fatigue, whether it is because of disease, physical exertion or emotional stress produces the same sensation of weariness. Boredom is also responsible for chronic stress. One tires quickly when one loses interest in work or other activities. A revival of interest in life through purposeful activity causes fatigue to vanish.

Negative emotions can drain us. Hating somebody is more tiring than labouring the whole day. Solving the matter that bothers and taking one’s mind off from oneself by doing something for others can be refreshing. Working behind a laptop can be exhausting mentally, and may lead to that ‘always tired’ feeling. But physical exercise can revitalize when it is not viewed as a drudgery.

Many, these days, are in serious ‘debt’. It adversely affects their health and life span. It causes immune suppression. This is called sleep debt which develops when a person does not get the amount of healthful sleep needed for well-being. What causes sleep debt? The 24/7 culture – operating 24 hours a day, seven days a week. This is changing the way one lives. A new wave of round the clock service providers are profiting by mocking the clock.

Also, many watch allnight television programmes and access the internet when they should be sleeping. Working overtime and round the clock takes its toll causing one’s efficiency to decrease and the potential for making errors increase. One doctor said, fatigue is considered a ‘status symbol’ by many. Since their condition worsens gradually, victims may not realize that they suffer from a serious sleep disorder. Some say, “I’m just getting old” or “I can’t cope with life so I tend to shut down” or “I’m tired all the time because I can never get the long rest I need.”

Machines are protected by warning labels. But our body does not have flashing red lights and alarms that tell us to stop or slow down. It gives warning signals in terms of mood changes, chronic tiredness and getting frequent infections. If one has these symptoms, it may be time to re-examine one’s life style. The body’s internal clock works only if one trains it. Going to bed and waking up at the same time each day restores lost vitality. Indeed, sleep is needed as much as proper exercise and nutrition.

Not all persons need the same amount of sleep. Temperament and nature of one’s activities have a bearing on how much sleep one needs. One can analyse oneself when deprived of sleep by asking these questions – ‘Am I tense all day? Do I keep working till bedtime? Do I eat large meals at night? Do I get irritated easily?’ Trying to be less sensitive and counting one’s blessings puts one in a better frame of mind that can help in having a sound sleep. To enjoy one’s days more, one must put sleep high on the list of priorities!

THE VIEWS EXPRESSED BY THE AUTHOR ARE PERSONAL

Rekha Kumar The writer is a leadership and personal development skills facilitator. [email protected]