Nobody likes to feel tired. This feeling puts limits on us, prevents us from doing, urges us to lay down our arms and rest. However, beyond the unpleasant feeling, fatigue is a essential physiological phenomenon. “It is a warning signal that tells us that it becomes necessary to rest”, explains Dr. Adrian Chaboche, general practitioner. “It allows us to limit our physical or intellectual activity, so as not to risk an accident, a fracture or a burnout.“, adds Dr. Grégoire Cozon, immunologist.
But if we must absolutely listen to the messages it sends us, there is no question of undergoing it. To get out of it, it is often enough to correct some of our (bad) habits. Find truly restorative nights, answer the nap call, bring vitamins on your plate, move more, tame your stress, breathe deeply, let go, allow yourself little moments just for yourself, without obligations… It is not very complicated to overcome this temporary tiredness. Our plan should allow you to replenish your vitality in less than a month.
When the fatigue never ends
But not all fatigue is created equal. When it comes to the end of a long day at work, of dotted nights spent caring for the youngest, of a marathon or an extended evening with friends, fatigue is completely normal. “But if it lasts more than three weeks, it is necessary to consult, to see if this does not hide something more serious”, warns Dr. Chaboche. Because fatigue can also be a symptom of countless diseases, such as hypothyroidism, depression or fibromyalgia.
It is also at the forefront of the long Covid, which poisons the lives of very many people. More than 10% of those who contracted the virus would still have symptoms three months later. Sometimes the cause is quite different. Fatigue, intense, does not pass, whatever we do. And if it is accompanied by pain, difficulty concentrating or headache, it may be the chronic fatigue syndrome, a misunderstood disease, sometimes denigrated, but which nevertheless causes very real suffering for the people who are affected by it. The path to well-being once again involves a simple decision, that of going for a consultation.
Read also:
- Despite long nights of sleep, do you (often) have trouble waking up? here’s why
- Do you sleep badly? What lack of sleep does to your body
- Is weight gain linked to lack of sleep?
