The Psychology of Work Fatigue

Fatigue describes feelings that go beyond general tiredness and is instead categorized as a prolonged state of mental and physical exhaustion. In our professional lives, work fatigue creates its own unique challenges, the effects of which may be further reaching than we think.

Scientists aren’t yet certain what causes work fatigue, but most of us have experienced some symptoms of this phenomenon at one point in our career. When faced with feelings of fatigue, the best place to start is by looking at our own sleeping habits. On its own, tiredness is usually resolved after a couple nights of quality sleep, whereas work fatigue can set in even for individuals with healthy sleep patterns. Even just a few nights in a row of less than optimal sleeping conditions can make us irritable, unfocused, and low energy. From there, maintaining hydration and good nutrition helps fuel our body while meditative habits and positive self-talk keeps our minds calm yet sharp. Reprioritizing our daily tasks, both in and out of the office, can help us see our responsibilities more clearly and reduce excess stress from even the more demanding activities.

Ready to take control of your energy once again? This infographic details the experiences of work fatigue, recognizing the symptoms, and we can rebalance our situation.