Beating fatigue in the workplace

Do you feel like the job you love is wearing you down? Feeling tired before going to work in the morning and drained in the evenings? If so, you might be suffering from work-related fatigue. But don’t worry: we have some simple tips that can help you regain your strength, prevent fatigue and take on challenges in your stride!

6 symptoms of work-related fatigue

Recognizing symptoms is the first step on the road to getting back to your usual top form! If you’ve noticed that you are not your best self in the workplace, it’s important to take a closer look at the signs. Read on to see if you recognize any of these 6 symptoms:

You are having trouble focusing for extended periods of time.
You miss details and allow mistakes to slip by.
You are finding it hard to follow conversations and pay attention in meetings.
Your decision-making becomes erratic.
You have problems absorbing, analyzing and retaining information.
Your workplace relations suffer as you become irritable and closed off.

Quote - recognizing symptoms is the first step to getting back to top form.

If any of these symptoms sound familiar, it’s time to ask the important question:

Why am I so exhausted?

Causes for extreme tiredness are different for every person, and are often connected with work. When it comes to fatigue, people in all lines of work are equally susceptible: manual workers can suffer from physical tiredness, while an office worker can become mentally exhausted. In the US, over two-thirds of all employees report fatigue symptoms. Listed below are some preventable causes of fatigue you may recognize:

You use electronic devices at night, affecting your sleep cycle and putting additional strain on your overworked eyes. Maybe you don’t get enough sleep and try to “catch up” on weekends, or your sleep has become restless.
You overload your body or mind with constant work or exertion, and you do not rest enough to regenerate your energy. Overtime, Irregular hours, night shifts, monotony, poorly lit working environments and stress can all lead to constant fatigue.
Your diet is unbalanced, or you eat at irregular hours. Maybe you are dehydrated from drinking too much coffee and not enough water. You may be suffering from vitamin or mineral deficiencies.

Any of these sound familiar? Now that you’ve identified possible causes for your fatigue, let’s look at some tips.

6 tips to help prevent fatigue at work

Don’t worry: effects of fatigue are reversible! All it takes are some changes to your lifestyle that gradually reduce stress and work-related exhaustion. Read on to learn 6 simple tips that can help your extreme tiredness.

Beating fatigue in the workplace

Exercise to rest your body and mind. Every hour, take a minute to stretch your legs and walk. Even simply stepping away from your tasks will relax your body and mind, but walking will help you preserve your mental energy.
Relax your fatigued mind with humor. Share a moment with your colleagues. Stop working for a minute, crack a joke, laugh together. Think of it as fun and free stress relief.
Enjoy the sunlight! Use the opportunity to get out of the office at lunchtime. Let sunlight give your body a healthy dose of vitamin D. Try to find a spot near your workplace where you can see trees or open water – both sights can reduce stress and mental fatigue.
Get comfortable at your workstation! Make sure your sitting arrangement or work environment is safe, ergonomic and comfortable, has natural light and good ventilation.
Enjoy a healthy work-life balance. Work should never cause you excessive fatigue or stress. Don’t be afraid to talk to your supervisor about reducing your workload to reduce your fatigue.
Eat well to live well! You need to provide your body with positive fuel so you can release your positive energy. Eat regularly, vary your diet and make sure it includes sufficient quantities of vitamins and minerals. You can also take a Berocca^® every day for a little boost of nutrients essential for your body and mind.

If you find that your fatigue persists despite of these steps, make sure to consult a doctor.