Fighting fatigue

Many people are feeling uncontrollably tired in these stressful times – here’s why

- JANE SURTEES

LIFE under the threat of the coronavirus is stressful. You may have lost your job and might be struggling to buy enough food for your family. Or, if you’re lucky enough to still be working, you may be battling to be productive as your home office is also a classroom for your kids.

The dire inequalities in our country have been laid bare in this time of crisis, for sure, but it’s also clear we all face an uncertain and confusing road ahead.

This disorientation causes stress, which takes its toll on us in many ways. One of the most common is fatigue, which can also be a symptom of something more serious.

WHAT IS FATIGUE?

“Put simply, fatigue is a constant feeling of extreme tiredness or weakness that can be physical and mental,” says Dr Lerato Motimele, a GP based in Johannesburg.

There are many stories at this time of people battling with an extreme lack of energy, demotivation, a lack of concentration and anxiety.

And many are experiencing weird dreams, poor sleep and exhaustion even after a decent night’s sleep. This is what mental fatigue feels like.

If you’re suffering from physical fatigue, you might find it hard to do activities that you normally wouldn’t even think about, like climbing the stairs.

“The most common type of fatigue affecting people is chronic fatigue, which is long term, resulting from extended periods of strain on the mind and body,” Dr Motimele adds.

There’s also something called acute fatigue, which is short term.

THE CAUSES