There is no set definition of burnout, but it is a more severe version of tiredness. Everyone is tired before bed, early in the morning, after a particularly hard workout, or when they’ve been concentrating on something mentally difficult for too long, but you shouldn’t be exhausted all the time. Express.co.uk spoke to nutritionist Clarissa Lenherr from biohacking platform bioniq to find out why her tiredness could be a sign of something more serious.
Humor changes
Excessive exhaustion or tiredness can affect your mental health and mood as much as your body.
Clarissa said: “Have you noticed that your mood changes a little more than usual? Do you have feelings of detachment, anxiety, or even depression?
“If the answer is yes, then these could be caused by exhaustion.
«When we’re tired, we have less energy to respond to stressors, which can lead to heightened emotions and responses.»
If you have noticed that these feelings have lasted for more than a month, Clarissa recommends contacting your local GP.
Still tired after eight hours of sleep.
You need seven to nine hours of sleep a night for your body and brain to function properly.
If you get enough sleep each night but don’t feel refreshed or energized and still feel sluggish, you could have a problem.
Clarissa said: “Also, if you’re not getting enough sleep because you’re having trouble falling asleep, or if you fall asleep but wake up in the middle of the night, this can contribute to your feelings of sleep. exhaustion.
“Everyone deserves a good night’s sleep, but lack of sleep is a common problem. It can cause stress, which in turn can affect your energy levels and mood.»
The expert advises introducing some sleep hygiene practices to optimize your sleep, such as avoiding caffeine too late, reducing the use of electronics at night and unloading blue light blocking filters, as well as incorporating stress management into your bedtime routine. bedtime.
weight changes
If you’ve gained or lost weight dramatically along with your tiredness, you’re probably exhausted or have another underlying problem.
Clarissa said: “A bad night’s sleep can affect our weight, and when our bodies and minds are exhausted, we may find that our appetite changes too.
“For some, cravings for high-energy foods increase in response to a lack of energy. These energy-dense foods tend to be fast-acting carbohydrates, sugar, and caffeine, and prolonged consumption of these foods can lead to weight gain.
«Conversely, if you’re constantly tired, your appetite may decrease, which can lead to unwanted weight loss.»
See your GP to discuss the problem and rule out other conditions, such as an underactive thyroid, which can lead to weight gain, fatigue, low mood, and mental fogginess.
Clarissa added: «Check your thyroid markers like TSH and T4 and rule out nutritional deficiencies that may be affecting your hunger and satiety.»
brain fog
If you experience brain fog on a regular basis, your brain is exhausted!
Clarissa explained: “When your brain is exhausted, it becomes more difficult to think, reason and concentrate.
«Brain fog goes beyond the occasional tip-of-the-tongue sensation and is often a collection of symptoms including loss of clarity, memory changes, lack of focus and concentration.»
The nutritionist suggests getting tested if this lasts more than a couple of weeks, as brain fog can be the result of an underactive thyroid, hormonal imbalances, gut health issues, and nutritional deficiencies.