Is everyone you know exhausted?

[Crunchymum]

I have an autoimmune condition and am prone to bouts of insomnia so my perception of exhaustion is a tad off so I've been doing a bit of a straw poll of friends and family.

I don't know anyone who isn't exhausted. I have asked people of different ages, locations, health levels, people without kids, people who have very healthy lifestyles (comparatively at least. I'm not talking about Olympic athletes)

My retired FIL, who has afternoon naps, says he is exhausted.

Is it a sign of modern times? A direct result of Covid? (are we all just mentally burnt out?) Too much tech?

Or is it just my circle of friends and family?

Yes

Normally I'm not too bad. But today, yes! And most of my friends have small kids ( mine is older) so permanently tired.

I have chronic fatigue and people tell me they're exhausted (especially after this last year!) However there's degreea of it arent there. Some people say they're exhausted but can manage a full time job and cook a proper meal in the evening. Im sure they feel tired but I wouldn't be physically capable of this due to exhaustion!

I feel like this. I think personally it’s partly the strain of the last 18 months . Now things seem to be improving and life is beginning to return to normal, we realise we are totally exhausted from it all. That and not having had a proper holiday. It’s also adjusting to more people,, more noise, more demands.

I am. I’ve been exhausted for years. I know my best friend feels exhausted much of the time. I don’t know that many other people

Yes I think it’s a direct result of the pandemic. People have got used to not doing much and to staring at screens for even longer so actually getting up and doing something feels like much harder work!

I'm not exhausted

This is a quiet time for me at work, so I'm enjoying spending time with my DC and getting a bit of decluttering done that I don't usually have time for.

At the moment I am exhausted with residual long Covid (the fatigue comes and goes). Most days I am not too bad though.

I'm not and no one I know is! No one has young kids though, I have an 8 year old so not that exhausting any more. None of us WFH either so life has pretty much been the same during the pandemic regarding working as normal.

@GiantToadstool

I have chronic fatigue and people tell me they're exhausted (especially after this last year!) However there's degreea of it arent there. Some people say they're exhausted but can manage a full time job and cook a proper meal in the evening. Im sure they feel tired but I wouldn't be physically capable of this due to exhaustion!

I have fibromyalgia and Vitamin B12 deficiency which I have injections for. I hold down a ft job and cook etc but rest sometimes at weekends, evenings, holidays and take medication. Just before my b12 is due I can feel like I'm walking through mud but I keep going. I think some people can be totally exhausted but still function.

I feel exhausted but have more physical energy than ever to burn off. I think it’s just cumulative stress from the past 18 months. To people on the outside I probably look like I’m living my best life but it’s really not. I’m just totally mentally drained and feel a bit adrift.

I suspect a lot of people are feeling exactly the same.

@Bbq1 I really hope to get to the point you are at some time. Hopefully. Life's pretty tough with it right now.

I had a nap today and still feel tired. Part of it is peri menopause I think. But also I’m just bloody bored! Travel seems too complicated/risky. No one I know is really mixing still. My job is fine. It was wfh before covid and continues to be so. I don’t mind that. But the weather is crap again. I made the garden so nice this year and I want to spend time in it! I’m beyond bored of Netflix and prime, but feel too tired to do anything but flop in the evenings. So I think part of me feeling exhausted is just a lack of motivation.

@GiantToadstool

I have chronic fatigue and people tell me they're exhausted (especially after this last year!) However there's degreea of it arent there. Some people say they're exhausted but can manage a full time job and cook a proper meal in the evening. Im sure they feel tired but I wouldn't be physically capable of this due to exhaustion!

This!

I have chronic fatigue also, and frankly it's a completely different level of exhaustion from normal, every day tiredness. Yes, every one I know is claiming to be exhausted at the moment. I do think it's been a long, hard 18 months or so - but I also think the word is over used.

@MadMadMadamMim Yes all this! I hate not being able to function. Or knowing if I have a day where I do function, the next day will be a write off. Not to negatate people's real feelings od more exhausted than usual/exhausted with life but actual debilitating fatigue is completely different.

I had wondered with the awareness of long covid if there would be more help for others like us with fatigue.

(I had just been thinking of starting a thread on easy to manage healthy meals for when you cant function/stand up for long/brain foggy.)

I used to roll my eyes at people who claimed to be permanently exhausted - then I hit perimenopause, insomnia, night sweats, aching... Some days I feel like putting match sticks in my eyes to keep them open. Hoping HRT brings some relief!

I am. There's nothing wrong with me either but I am worn out and I've no idea why.

Apologies, I didn't means to cause any offence. Particularly to anyone with Chronic Fatigue and Long Covid.

As I say I have autoimmune arthritis and I've had points where the exhaustion has meant I can't look after my kids (they spend a lot of time with my lovely MIL)

I am medicated but the trade off is that the medication makes me feel exhausted too. So at least one day a week is a complete write off (I manage my life around being out of action for this day!)

I can certainly feel the difference between general level of fatigue, post medication fatigue and having a flare.

It just seems so common and widespread. People seem so physically withered?

I was asked by the nurse if I often feel tired. Well, yes. But so does everyone else I know. I haven't been sleeping well recently, which adds to it.

@Crunchymum that’s a valid point about medication. My mum has to take some tablets and I always used to joke with her that she has been tired for 60 years. It turns out that the medication causes fatigue. Even hay fever suffers can get exhausted through taking anti -histamine tablets.

Very very tired and low energy. No health issues that I am aware of other than still having periods age 54 and menopause stuff. Just decided to give up alcohol (day 2 ) and cooking all meals from scratch which I do mainly anyway. I have been drinking way too much wine. Hoping that will make the difference. Don’t want to continue dragging myself through the day. Also going to try and take a daily walk in the fresh air. Basic stuff but hoping it helps.

I'm the kind of tired sleep doesn't help

Not really. Yes when the kids were really small. But I generally get a good amount of sleep these days working from home has certainly helped There is obviously the odd day when they have bad nights. I am fitter than I was because I have more time to work out.

I'm OK. I've spent a lot of the last year listening to my body, and resting/sleeping when I feel like I need to. It's been a privilege to be able to do that.

I don't have small children, a commute, a stressful job, unwell parents, or any long-term conditions that cause tiredness.

I'm taking it while I can - I see the menopause right round the corner.

Yes, I'm tired at the moment but have been overdoing it on the work front. I've learned to pace myself as I've got older but it's gone awry just recently.

We all seem to be working harder and longer. The 9 to 5 just doesn't seem to exist anymore it's more like 8 to 7 (and some!). Both parents working, more hobbies, socialising, going over and above for Christmas and Birthdays.

I don't remember life being this mad when I was younger. Everyone started and finished work at the same time and took an hour for lunch. There was no elf on shelf, Christmas Eve boxes and Christmas bedding and pyjamas. I don't buy into that stuff, but seriously, the world has gone mad.