Fatigue vs. Tiredness: You know they’re actually different, right?

Feeling tired is a normal part of life, but have you ever felt completely worn out, like your body and mind just can’t seem to recharge no matter how much you rest? Well, that is not simply tiredness, that is actually fatigue and it's a whole different ball game than just being tired. Understanding the difference between tiredness and fatigue can help you figure out what's really going on with your body and how to start feeling better.

Let’s break it down together—because let’s be honest, we’ve all been there!

Tiredness vs. Fatigue: What’s the Real Difference?

We all know that feeling of being tired. You’ve had a busy day, maybe you didn’t sleep as much as you wanted, or you’ve been running around non-stop. But after a good night’s rest or a power nap, you’re ready to take on the next day. That’s tiredness—the kind of exhaustion that comes and goes. It’s natural, and it’s usually nothing to worry about.

Fatigue, on the other hand, is a different beast. It's that deep, heavy, relentless exhaustion that doesn’t just go away after a good night’s sleep. It can be overwhelming and affect your physical, mental and emotional well-being. Even after hours of rest, you still feel drained and can’t muster the energy to tackle your to-do list.

Here’s how to tell the difference:

Tiredness: You feel sluggish after a long day and a good sleep or nap does the trick. You wake up feeling refreshed and ready to go.
Fatigue: You feel exhausted even after a full night’s rest. Tasks that should be easy, like getting out of bed or focusing on work, feel like huge hurdles. Your energy seems to be in permanent vacation mode.

What Does Fatigue Feel Like?

Fatigue isn’t just about feeling “tired.” It’s like your body is constantly running on empty and no amount of sleep can fill it up. Some of the common symptoms of fatigue include:

Physical Exhaustion: Even simple tasks like making the bed or walking up the stairs feel like you’ve run a marathon. Your body feels heavy, weak and drained.
Mental Fog: Brain fog is real. You struggle to focus, remember things, or make decisions. It feels like your brain is moving in slow motion.
Sleep Issues: Even though you’re always tired, you might have trouble falling asleep or staying asleep. When you finally do sleep, it feels unrefreshing, like you never truly rested.
Mood Swings: Fatigue can take a toll on your emotions. You might feel irritable, frustrated, or even down about it and it can be hard to get excited about things you used to love doing. It can zap the excitement out of almost anything.
Physical Aches and Pains: Some people with fatigue also experience unexplained muscle aches, headaches or dizziness. Heavy eye lids and eye twitches are also common.

What’s Going on in Your Body When You’re Fatigued?

When you're fatigued, your body isn’t just tired—it’s dealing with something deeper. There could be a few reasons why your body feels like it’s stuck in a constant state of exhaustion:

Chronic Stress: If you’ve been dealing with stress for a long time, your body’s adrenal glands (which help manage stress) can burn out, leaving you with a sense of perpetual tiredness that doesn’t improve with sleep.
Thyroid Issues: Your thyroid plays a huge role in regulating your energy. If it's underactive (hypothyroidism) or overactive (hyperthyroidism), it can lead to feelings of extreme fatigue. Women are particularly susceptible to thyroid imbalances, especially in the years after giving birth.
Nutrient Deficiencies: Lack of essential nutrients like iron, vitamin D and B12 can leave you feeling drained. A deficiency can result in fatigue because these vitamins and minerals are crucial for energy production in the body.
Sleep Disorders: Conditions like sleep apnea or insomnia can prevent you from getting restful sleep, which only adds to the cycle of fatigue.

How Fatigue Impacts Your Daily Life

Living with fatigue isn’t just physically exhausting—it can completely mess with your day-to-day life. It’s hard to focus on work, care for your family or even find the energy to enjoy your favourite hobbies. Simple things like getting groceries or exercising might feel like insurmountable tasks and create a sense of dread or anxiety. Over time, this can lead to feelings of frustration, isolation and even guilt, because it might seem like you’re not doing enough or being productive.

Emotionally, fatigue can feel like a dark cloud hanging over you. You might become more irritable, anxious or disconnected from others. When you're fatigued, it’s hard to find joy in the things you once loved. It can even lead to more serious mental health issues, like depression, if not addressed.

One of the hardest parts of dealing with fatigue is not always getting the support you need when you turn to your GP or healthcare provider. Often, when women express feelings of extreme tiredness or fatigue to their doctors, they don’t always get the level of care they deserve. Here’s why this can happen and what you can do about it:

Dismissal of Symptoms: Sometimes, fatigue is dismissed as a “normal” part of life, especially for women and mothers. Many doctors may attribute it to stress, poor sleep, or life demands without further investigation. This can leave you feeling unheard and frustrated, especially when your symptoms don’t improve with basic advice like “get more rest.”
Gender Bias: Research has shown that women’s health concerns, particularly those related to chronic conditions like fatigue or thyroid disorders, are often not taken as seriously. This bias can lead to longer diagnostic processes, or even the misinterpretation of symptoms. A longitudinal Danish study revealed that women experience significantly longer diagnostic delays compared to men1. On average, it takes 8-10 years for women to get a diagnosis of autoimmune disease. This makes it harder for women to get the proper tests or referrals they need for conditions like hypothyroidism or sleep apnea.
Underlying Conditions Overlooked: Many women experience fatigue as a symptom of a deeper health issue, such as thyroid imbalances, autoimmune conditions, or hormone disruptions. Unfortunately, these conditions may not be explored unless you advocate for yourself. If your fatigue persists despite trying lifestyle changes, it may be time to ask for specific tests, like thyroid function or vitamin levels, to uncover any underlying issues.
Emotional Impact: If you’re constantly told that your fatigue is just a part of being a woman or a busy person, it can take an emotional toll. You might feel like it’s “just in your head” or that you’re being dramatic, which can lead to anxiety and even depression. It’s important to have a doctor who listens, takes your concerns seriously and works with you to find a solution.

Fatigue vs. Tiredness: What Causes Each?

So, what’s the root cause of fatigue compared to simple tiredness? While tiredness usually stems from short-term physical exertion or lack of sleep, fatigue tends to be triggered by more complex issues. Here are some common causes of each:

Tiredness is often caused by:
- A long day at work or school
- Poor sleep habits or too little sleep
- Stress or emotional strain
- Physical exertion (like exercise or manual labor)
Fatigue, however, might be caused by:
- Chronic Stress: Ongoing emotional or physical stress can drain your energy.
- Thyroid Issues: If your thyroid is out of balance, it can result in persistent fatigue.
- Nutrient Deficiencies: Lack of iron, vitamin D, or B12 can cause energy levels to plummet.
- Sleep Disorders: Conditions like insomnia or sleep apnea can prevent restorative sleep.
- Chronic Conditions: Autoimmune diseases (like lupus or fibromyalgia) can contribute to long-term fatigue.

What Can You Do to Recover from Fatigue?

Fatigue is no fun, but the good news is that there are steps you can take to start recovering and feeling better. If you’re dealing with persistent fatigue, here are some tips to help you get back on track:

Get Restorative Sleep: Sleep is key to recharging your energy. Aim for 7-9 hours of quality sleep each night. Make your bedroom a calming space, avoid screens before bed and create a relaxing bedtime routine.
Manage Stress: Chronic stress is a major cause of fatigue. Try stress-reducing techniques like deep breathing, yoga, or meditation. Even taking short breaks throughout the day to breathe deeply or go for a walk can help reset your stress levels. You may need to set some boundaries with people here to prioritise your peace.
Improve Your Nutrition: Focus on a balanced diet rich in vitamins and minerals. Include plenty of leafy greens, lean proteins, healthy fats and whole grains. If you suspect a nutrient deficiency, talk to your doctor about supplements.
Exercise Gently: While it might sound counterintuitive, light exercise can actually help reduce fatigue. Walking, stretching, or yoga can boost your energy and improve your sleep.
Address Underlying Health Issues: If your fatigue persists, it’s important to consult a healthcare professional. They may run tests to check for thyroid issues, sleep disorders, or other conditions that could be contributing to your symptoms. Ensure that you get a Full Thyroid Panel and also test inflammation markers such as C-Reactive Protein.
Stay Hydrated: Dehydration can contribute to fatigue, so make sure you’re drinking plenty of water throughout the day.

Fatigue is more than just being tired—it’s a sign that something isn’t quite right in your body. Whether it’s chronic stress, a nutrient deficiency, or an underlying health condition, it’s important to listen to your body and take action. The road to recovery may take time, but by prioritising rest, reducing stress and nourishing your body, you can start to regain your energy and vitality. We deserve to not just survive, but to thrive!

Don’t ignore your body’s signals—take small, positive steps each day to recover and reclaim your energy. You deserve to feel vibrant and alive again.

Remember, you’re not alone in this! 🌿

Westergaard D., Moseley P., Sørup F. K. H., Baldi P., Brunak S., Population-wide analysis of differences in disease progression patterns in men and women. Nature Communications. 10, 666 (2019).