Exhaustion
Information on Mental Exhaustion and Physical Exhaustion.
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What is Exhaustion?
“I’m exhausted!” Exhaustion has become a modern-day phenomenon. As worries, pressures, and responsibilities build up, we start to feel overwhelmed and mentally drained. Ongoing mental exhaustion can lead to physical exhaustion, a feeling of constant fatigue that leaves the body physically spent.
Diagnosing Exhaustion
Symptoms of physical and mental exhaustion include feeling constantly tired and worn out. Feeling exhausted can take a toll at all levels of life. We become less adept at our jobs. Our relationships suffer. Energy levels drop to an all-time low.
If ignored, exhaustion can lead to serious consequences such as burnout, depression and even lower immune system functioning. This makes our bodies more vulnerable to illness and infection, which leaves us even more exhausted—a vicious cycle.
Symptoms of Mental and Physical Exhaustion
- Anger
- Feelings of "burnout"
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Apathy
- Feelings of hopelessness
- Lack of motivation
- Difficulty concentrating
- Stomach pain
- Chest pain
- Headaches
- Body aches
- Constant fatigue
- Appetite changes
- Trouble sleeping
- Weight gain or weight loss
- Social withdrawal
- Poor work or school performance
Children & Symptoms of Exhaustion
Unfortunately, these days exhaustion isn’t limited to adults. More and more children are showing symptoms of mental exhaustion as well as physical exhaustion. When children are exhausted, they may exhibit the following signs:
- Hyperactivity (a result of being over-tired)
- Unusual crankiness and fussiness
- Impulsive and/or erratic behavior
- Yawning, rubbing their eyes, lying down
- Clinginess
- Whining, crying
- Inattentiveness and restlessness
Other Ailments Which May Occur in Conjunction with Exhaustion
- Depression
- Chronic Fatigue syndrome (CFS)
- Adrenal Fatigue
What Causes Exhaustion?
Symptoms of exhaustion are usually a warning that something is wrong physically or emotionally. It can be a signal that our lifestyle is in serious need of examination and change.
Often referred to as fatigue, exhaustion can have multiple causes—including some serious medical conditions. Don’t ignore constant fatigue if it interferes with your daily functioning.
Possible Causes of Adult Exhaustion
- Work. Long hours, high demands, difficult co-workers or bosses, and other factors can all add up to an exhausted, burnt-out body. While you may not be able to control all circumstances, it’s important to try to find balance. Practice stress-relieving techniques, exercise, eat right, and spend time with people or hobbies that you love.
- Stress. Stress is a top factor in exhaustion. We can’t eliminate stress from our lives, but we can learn to manage it.
- Seasonal or chronic allergies; hay fever. Allergy-related exhaustion is a common symptom from both prescription and OTC medications. Clogged nasal passages, sinus headaches and sore throats can also cause loss of sleep. Identify and remove as many allergy triggers as possible, especially in the bedroom – pillows, carpets, bedding—to achieve more restful sleep.
- High Blood Pressure. Since high blood pressure can be indicative of a dangerous health condition, it’s important to monitor this and seek professional advice if necessary.
Possible Causes of Child Exhaustion
Children, just like adults, can experience exhaustion. Some possible culprits include:
- Caffeine. Chocolate, soft drinks, tea and some children’s pain relievers unexpectedly contain caffeine.
- Television and other screens. Too much screen time can disrupt sleep-wake cycles and cut into the recommended 8+ hours of nightly sleep for children. Children are particularly sensitive to psychological stimulation, and disturbing content can lead to bad dreams and troubled sleep.
- Naps. Most children end naptime around age 4. If you notice a child who takes daytime naps is becoming less able to settle in at bedtime, revisit the nap schedule.
- Too much exercise late in the day. Try to space 4 hours between playtime/exercise and bedtime, so kids have time to wind down.
Help for Exhaustion
Because exhaustion can have so many causes, the first step in conquering physical or emotional exhaustion is to address the underlying issues. Consider lifestyle changes including better nutrition, regular exercise, and stress management. While taking these steps towards battling constant fatigue may feel difficult at first, your efforts will pay off.
A good quality health tonic for energy, such as Fatigue Fighter for Energy Support, may help overcome feelings of exhaustion.
If lifestyle changes don’t seem to help, or if you are showing additional symptoms, seek a professional assessment from your health care provider. In many cases, symptoms of exhaustion can be signs of an underlying psychological or medical condition such as depression or chronic fatigue syndrome.
References:
- Santos-Longhurst, Adrienne. “How to Treat and Prevent Mental Exhaustion.” Healthline. Accessed January 28, 2019. https://www.healthline.com/health/mental-exhaustion#Overview
- “Fatigue.” Mayo Clinic. Accessed February 5, 2019. https://www.mayoclinic.org/symptoms/fatigue/basics/causes/sym-20050894
- “How Tired is Too Tired?” WebMD. Accessed February 5, 2019. https://www.webmd.com/balance/how-tired-is-too-tired#1
- “Recognizing and Getting Help for Mood Disorders.” Johns Hopkins Medicine. Accessed January 28, 2019. https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/healthy-woman/mind-mood/recognizing-and-getting-help-for-mood-disorders
