Many of us have likely experienced this feeling: the mere thought of work makes us tired, we feel sleepy before we even get a chance to rest, and we’re exhausted as soon as we start working. Even though we try to motivate ourselves to be persistent and give our best, our bodies just won’t cooperate.
This “tired all the time” feeling isn’t due to a lack of willpower or laziness; it could be a sign that your body is lacking energy. There’s a certain kind of “hidden tiredness” that’s quietly accumulating without you even realizing it, leaving you feeling drained even though you’re not necessarily overworked.
“Tiredness” is a sign that your body is “low on battery”
“Tiredness” and “feeling tired” are two different concepts. “Tiredness” refers to the actual depletion of the body’s energy, while “feeling tired” is a signal that your brain sends out to warn you about this condition.
The human body is like a battery, constantly in a state of “charging” and “discharging” energy over a 24-hour period. When energy is discharged at a faster rate than it’s charged, the body falls into a state of tiredness.
This feeling of tiredness acts like a battery indicator: the more energy you have, the less tired you feel; the less energy you have, the more pronounced the feeling of tiredness becomes. When your energy levels dip low, your body sends a distress signal to your brain, demanding a reduction in workload and an immediate “recharge.”
The danger of hidden tiredness: Not realizing you’re tired
Typically, the feeling of tiredness accurately reflects the state of your body. However, similar to the sensation of pain, tiredness is subjective and can be “deceived.”
When your body continuously endures a state of “high energy discharge and low energy recharge,” it gradually becomes “used to” the feeling of tiredness and raises its threshold for fatigue.
Many people, after a night of pulling an all-nighter, tend to reach for coffee or milk tea to stay alert. However, the caffeine, nicotine, sugar, and high-fat content cause a rapid increase in dopamine, temporarily exciting the brain and blocking the feeling of tiredness from the body.
In reality, this is just a state of “fake alertness.” Your body is still experiencing serious fatigue, but your brain isn’t aware of it. Maintaining this “low energy-high performance” state will lead to accumulated tiredness and may even cause long-term harm to your health.
The feeling of tiredness is similar to pain—it’s a signal that protects your body from harm. Those who lose the ability to feel pain are at a high risk of injury, and those who become “numb” to the feeling of tiredness are pushing their bodies to the brink of collapse.
4 signs that you’ve fallen into hidden tiredness
Brain fog and difficulty concentrating: If you’re experiencing a foggy brain, diminished cognitive flexibility, memory decline, and difficulty maintaining attention, these could be signs of “brain fog,” a common manifestation of hidden tiredness.
Irritability and loss of patience: When your body is tired, your mood is more likely to fluctuate. You may find yourself getting angry or annoyed over minor things. Your patience and enthusiasm for work may also diminish, even for tasks you once enjoyed.
Sudden nodding off and waking up in the middle of the night: If you find yourself dozing off easily while working, commuting, or watching TV, it’s a sign that your brain is demanding rest. Additionally, waking up in the middle of the night for no apparent reason reflects sleep disturbances caused by accumulated tiredness.
Bad breath, body odor, acne, and herpes outbreaks: Prolonged tiredness slows down your metabolism, leading to bad breath and unpleasant body odor due to toxin buildup. Meanwhile, a weakened immune system results in acne, infections, and even herpes outbreaks.
How to combat hidden tiredness
Increase “charging”: Getting enough deep sleep is the most effective way to restore energy. Prioritize quality sleep as an essential part of your life.
Reduce “discharging”: If you can’t increase your rest time, reduce your energy expenditure. After a stressful day at work, allow yourself to unwind properly.
Note that relaxation doesn’t mean playing video games or scrolling through social media, as these activities also deplete your energy reserves. True relaxation involves engaging in activities that require minimal thinking, such as taking a leisurely walk, enjoying nature, or simply standing up and stretching.
In conclusion, to avoid hidden tiredness, it’s crucial to learn how to let go of stress and maintain a relaxed state of mind.
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