Fatigue

If you find yourself in an ongoing state of tiredness, leading to mental or physical exhaustion you are probably suffering from fatigue.  You can feel fatigued – in your body (physical fatigue) or your mind (mental fatigue)…

Physical fatigue is an inability to function at your normal level. It is common in everyday life, but usually becomes noticeable during heavy exercise or activity. Mental fatigue, on the other hand, manifests in sleepiness. It can result from activity or inactivity such as working, mental stress, overstimulation or under stimulation, jet lag, depression, disease and lack of sleep. Another cause of fatigue is a poor diet. Eating the right food will ensure that you have sufficient energy to do your job.

Occupations that require an individual to work long hours or stay up overnight can lead to fatigue. The human body is designed to sleep during the night and the best sleep is night sleep. So if you are working night shifts and sleeping during the day, darken the room you are sleeping in and allow more time than normal to fall asleep.

Below are some tips to help you prevent fatigue:

• Choose a quiet, peaceful place to sleep and adhere to a routine
• Seven to eight hours uninterrupted sleep is adequate
• Avoid excessive consumption of alcohol – it affects quality of sleep
• Don’t drink coffee or tea or other stimulants before going to bed – they delay the need for sleep
• Maintain a basic level of fitness and ensure you exercise regularly
• Keep your weight in check – obesity contributes to sleeping disorders

Fatigue is a known risk factor in motor vehicle and workplace accidents so always see your doctor for diagnosis if you are suffering from chronic tiredness.

Source: http://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/bhcv2/bhcarticles.nsf/pages/Fatigue_explained