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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

How many usable hours do you have per day before you feel tired?

57 replies

Terrifiedofwastingmylife · 07/03/2023 21:52

I'm wondering what is normal. Have booked myself a blood test, as always low in stuff like ferritin and folate, and wondering if it's making me really tired. Have also started taking magnesium for better sleep. Have also booked myself an appointment with a doctor who has an interest in deficiencies.

A typical office day leaves me absolutely shattered. Pretty standard, up at 6.30am, home by 6pm, 45 or so minutes break for lunch. If I go out for dinner after, I am exhausted all the next day.

OP posts:

bugsinmybrain · 07/03/2023 21:54

Under one more days than not

However I do have a chronic illness

Needsomeadvice33 · 07/03/2023 21:57

Last 2 years 1 or 2, since discovering I have coeliac disease and being afew months gluten free its up to about 4.

Enthrallingstory · 07/03/2023 22:00

How old are you OP?

Sofitella · 07/03/2023 22:00

Following, I’m the same, it’s a bit worrying

Original poster

Terrifiedofwastingmylife · 07/03/2023 22:02

I'm 38. It feels too young to be constantly tired.

OP posts:

Okunevo · 07/03/2023 22:02

Depends what I am using the hours for. I find going out to dinner if it's a social occasion much more exhausting than cooking a bolognese from scratch on a weeknight. I could get home and assemble IKEA furniture until 10pm, stopping for cheese on toast for dinner, no problem.

GuineaPigPosie · 07/03/2023 22:04

I don't remember the last time I didn't feel tired

Cupofteaaa5 · 07/03/2023 22:04

Depends how much sleep I've had the night before. If I've had a good sleep (8 hours) I've usually got enough energy to get me through a whole day no problem. I start to get tired in the evening, but not excessively so.

Rosebud1302 · 07/03/2023 22:06

I was actually debating writing a similar thread. I am only 32 but I am ALWAYS tired. Sometimes worryingly so. I do have a 4 year old and a fairly busy/manual job some might say but I just don't think it's normal to be this tired all the time :(

CouldIHaveThatInEnglishPlease · 07/03/2023 22:08

I find sitting in front of a computer screen all day more exhausting than being actively busy. So I would find an 8hr office job utterly draining.

the more I move, the more awake I feel. Are you making sure you are taking screen breaks and getting fresh air throughout the day?

FatCatt · 07/03/2023 22:09

I have autism ADHD and take stimulants.
I work approx 10 hours 5 days a week. I get around 7 hours sleep on weekdays. My commute is about 30 mins each way. I get home and usually can’t cope with anything more than a wash and to eat tea that is made for me.

At the weekend I need around 14 hours sleep each day to not feel like I’m dying. I usually manage a walk for an hour or two

FatCatt · 07/03/2023 22:10

Forgot to add I’m 24

user143677434 · 07/03/2023 22:11

It depends on how busy and stressful the day has been. I travel a lot for work, and have some days where all I have done if got the train home from London (6 hrs door to door, having been away all week) and that has left me utterly exhausted until the next day. Similarly if I have to do a big presentation - I might sleep for 12 hours afterwards.

Other days I can be up at 6:30, drop the kids, go to the gym, 10 hours at the desk, cook the dinner, clean the house, and I am only just tired enough for bed at 11.

pinksquash13 · 07/03/2023 22:11

I've got a baby that keeps me up at night and generally feel fine until 3pm, then I'm good for nothing. Pre kids I'd last well until 9pm. When I'm feeling tired (again pre kids) I'd prioritise a nap at the weekend, check I'm getting out the house for fresh air and check I'm eating balanced meals and not just snacks. I'd be interested to know what Dr says.

blueshoes · 07/03/2023 22:12

I don't really feel tired and can survive on quite little sleep. I would say I have 17 hours usable time per day. I am mid-50s, dcs are teens (so leave me alone for the most part) and I have a desk-based job.

blueshoes · 07/03/2023 22:14

blueshoes · 07/03/2023 22:12

That is only on the days I WFH. When I have to commute to work, I'd be shattered by 10 pm, so only 13 hours usable time.

Hibye23289 · 07/03/2023 22:22

I am 33 and I am always tired but I do blame myself for not drinking enough water. I get more than 8 hours sleep at night hut I always feel tired, not physically tired but I have always been a yawner and sleepy, my family laugh at how easily I can fall asleep, I am always napping i even nap on my lunch break at work!! I would love to not always feel the urge to fall asleep, when the kids were babies I felt terrible from being so tired but obviously that comes with being a parent but I have friends with babies and they don't seem to be as tired as I was, not a competition just surprising!

bumpytrumpy · 07/03/2023 22:26

I'm pretty full on 8am - 8pm. For an hour before and after that I'm tireder and slower but still doing stuff. After 9pm I'm on the sofa or in bed.

coffeecupsandwaxmelts · 07/03/2023 22:28

I have a physical job and a physical hobby so often come home exhausted but I sleep well afterwards

I walked 20km at work yesterday - that's an extreme example but most days I walk 12-14km. I start at 8.30am, home by 3pm most days.

On weekends I do pretty much nothing and have a lot more energy!

GreenMarigold · 07/03/2023 22:38

Normally around 15. I get up at 6, get kids ready then 7 hour day (easy wfh/office job) with a run at lunchtime, then dinner, kids bed and busy doing things around house. Read myself to sleep at 11.

However if I have an intensely sociable day - a party or in person event where I need to be talking to people - I will quite often come home and crash for an hour. That’s the only thing that makes me tired really.

RotundBeagle · 07/03/2023 22:43

Something doesn't sound right.

I start at 6am and usually finish at 4pm but can fairly often end up working 6am-6pm. I then drive 45 mins home and do a 90 min gym workout. I only struggle in the gym if I've had less than seven hours sleep but even the I get it done - I just have less mental drive in the last set of squats etc.

applespearsbears · 07/03/2023 22:45

OP I'd be really tired after a day like yours. I've always been sleepy and need a lot of sleep though, had lots of blood tests but nothing picked up.

mrsm43s · 07/03/2023 22:45

I'm knocking 50 and have an autoimmune disease.

When I'm having a flare, I'm up at 6.30, 1.5 hr commute, 8 hour working day, 1.5 hours home (home by 7pm), eat dinner (prepped and cooked by DH), in bed by 9. Not really fit for much after arriving home at 7ish tbh.

When I'm NOT having a flare, I'm up at 6.30, 1.5 hr commute, 8 hour working day, 1.5 hours home (home by 7pm), cook dinner, clear up after, have time to chat/watch tv/hobby/socialise - in bed, tired from a day well spent, at about 10.30/11ish.

Cupofteaaa5 · 07/03/2023 22:48

RotundBeagle · 07/03/2023 22:43

Something doesn't sound right.

You work 12 hours, drive 45 mins, then do a 90 min gym workout? Are you a superhuman?! That's incredible.

FrangipaniBlue · 07/03/2023 22:51

Normal day for me would be:

up 6/6.30am
7.5hrs work desk based from home
1-3hrs training (gym/swim/bike/run)
1hr dog walk
make dinner/wash up/possibly an hour housework depending what needs doing
bed by 10pm (scrolling MN for an hour)

I would be particularly "wiped out" but would be ready for bed.

Being exhausted from doing just a day in the office isn't normal surely?

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