New Health Axis
6 signs of fatigue and how it disrupts your work life
Jun
6 signs of fatigue and how it disrupts your work life
Do you feel tired, worn out or out of energy most of the time? It might be fatigue which has been an important topic of discussion for quite some time now. Fatigue can be described as a feeling of overtiredness and lack of energy which prevents a person from effectively performing his daily tasks. It reduces attentiveness and as a result, makes a person less productive.
You can feel tired as a result of lack of sleep, prolonged physical or mental activities, irregular work hours, excessively long shifts, poor diet, lack of exercise etc. If you are not prone to any of the above but still feeling worn out, then you might be experiencing fatigue which needs special attention. There is a thin line between being tired and being fatigued. But you know what the real challenge is? Once you cross that line, it’s not easy to get back.
There can be serious impacts of fatigue on one’s personal as well as work life. It makes a person bleak and dull, keeping them drained and depleted throughout the day. This is an issue of common concern and that’s why before proceeding any further, it is important to know the signs of fatigue. Here are some of them –
Abnormal daytime sleepiness
It is among the most common symptoms. Constant yawning, dropping heads at unusual times and not feeling refreshed on waking up are some general indicators of being fatigued. It is a result of accumulation of sleep debt and acute sleep deprivation.
Reduced alertness
Low energy levels and tiredness contribute to the feeling of brain fog and affects one’s ability to think clearly. As a result, tasks which require concentration and activeness become harder to perform. This is a typical sign that one is fatigued.
Impaired judgement
If someone who is competent and known to have good decision making power starts to make poor choices and frequent errors, it might be a sign of fatigue.
Low or reduced immunity levels
One becomes susceptible to illness with increase in fatigue as it wears down the body and has negative effects on its defence system.
If you are often experiencing the usual cold, cough, flu, sore throat and other illnesses, it can be a sign of persistent fatigue.
Irritability
When one is fatigued, little things irritate them. The emotions one feels are often wrong if they are worn out most of the time. Before chalking out this symptom to fatigue, you must combine it with other factors mentioned above and watch out.
Loss of appetite
Short term appetite loss is not a matter of concern but when it becomes an ongoing thing, it may be a warning sign that one is suffering from fatigue. It can be concerning if found together with the other symptoms mentioned above.
The symptoms vary from person to person but those mentioned in the list above are among the most common ones. Other symptoms may include headaches, dizziness, aching muscles and short-term memory problems. If you are able to relate with these signs, you might be close to the edge. So, keep reading!
How fatigue disrupts work life
The effects of fatigue on professional life are real and tangible. If someone is working whilst fatigued, they are not only posing a safety risk for themselves but also their coworkers and compromising the efficiency of their organisation. There can be many reasons for workplace fatigue, such as –
- Long commuting hours
- Insufficient breaks
- Irregular and prolonged working hours
- Graveyard shifts
- Excessive physical or mental activity
- Stress
Recognising the causes of workplace fatigue is extremely crucial to improve organisational efficiency.
The side-effects of fatigue can have some dangerous consequences on work life. Here are some of them –
- Impaired judgement
- Poor decision making
- Increased errors
- Injuries/accidents
- Increase in absenteeism
- Significant loss of productivity
The journal of occupational and environmental medicine found that those who work for 17-19 hours continuously without sleep not only exhibit impaired performance levels but also have half response speed as compared to well-rested workers.
Now that we all know that inefficient fatigue management strategies can have disastrous impacts on work life, it becomes imperative that employers understand their duty of providing a safe, healthy and a productive working environment to their employees. It is beneficial for their wellbeing as well as organisational efficiency. Industries such as transportation, mining, manufacturing, construction and healthcare are more prone than others. They must have extra fatigue management strategies in place which should be well implemented on a regular basis. Although employers have a vital role to play in this, employees themselves must also understand and know how to maintain the necessary work-life balance.
Preventing fatigue
If you are thinking preventing fatigue is only about refueling yourself with proper sleep, you need to read on. It’s not always that simple and easy. Here are some important tips –
- Exercise – It might seem the most difficult task to move your body when you are weary but trust me exercising gives you more energy in the long run. Break up with long hours of sitting and sedentary behaviours for fighting fatigue.
- Stay hydrated – One might feel tired and exhausted because of dehydration. Make sure you are drinking plenty of water and keeping your body hydrated.
- Supplementary support – If you are suffering from fatigue which is an overwhelming feeling of tiredness, you can also opt for supplements to improve your energy levels. It might not be possible for everyone to always consume a well-balanced diet, exercise regularly and get enough sleep due to the demands of today’s lifestyle. Fortunately, you can turn to supplements for a quick dose of energy boost. Vogue wellness Voq-10 is the best supplement for the purpose and your go-to solution for fatigue related issues. It is a powerful combination of Coenzymeq-10 and omega 3 fatty acids to keep you energized throughout the day. Afterall, you can afford a lazy morning but not a whole lazy day.
Other well-known supplements to help you keep up the energy levels are Chargin capsules (an advanced formulation of ashwagandha, mulethi, giloy and other useful herbs) and AndroYoung(CoQ-10). Vogue Wellness has a comprehensive range of such supplements to support you on your journey of battling with fatigue.
As is the case with all supplements, remember to check with your doctor before you start to take any of these.
- Sleep properly – A good night’s sleep is essential to bounce back with fresh energy. Because sleep debt is the most common cause of fatigue, it’s no surprise that sound sleep is the most common solution to it.
- Balanced-diet – A well-balanced diet can be a key part of your fatigue management plan. Aslo, eat small portioned meals throughout the day instead of larger meal portions. This practice is known to improve overall energy levels.
Apart from all the measures mentioned above in the list, I would like you to believe that most of the time, it is all psychological. Stress drains out a lot of energy, so try to incorporate some relaxing activities into your daily routine. Find time to do what you enjoy the most like listening to music, reading a book etc. Also remember that laughter is the best medicine. Believe in it and it will work. So relax, hang out and have lots of fun as these are the best energy boosters around.