Difference between chronic fatigue and temporary fatigue

Being well rested every day is important!

Fatigue seems to be the new disease of the century. Let's just ask someone how they are, and the most common response is often: "I'm fine, tired, but fine." Non, it is not OK ! We must not let fatigue become commonplace, we will end up getting used to it even though it is not a “normal” state. Let's be clear, it is not "abnormal" to be tired, it is however abnormal to consider fatigue as part of our daily life. Especially since we can remedy it by simple and natural means.

In addition, fatigue can cause many more or less disabling inconveniences: headaches, muscle pain, a state of extreme weariness which can sometimes lead to depression! Without forgetting that “when we are tired, we are sometimes tiring” for those around us.

To properly treat fatigue, it is important to determine the cause:

• Chronic fatigue is defined by fatigue persisting for more than 6 months, not explained by traditional reasons and not improving with rest. Alongside the symptom of intense fatigue, other more minor symptoms can be added: muscle pain, headaches, difficulty concentrating, etc. Some people can also feel a real “slump” or depressive state. Persistent fatigue can also be explained by an underlying illness (hypothyroidism, depression, significant obesity, infection, etc.) or by taking certain medications. If the fatigue is significant and long-lasting, it is advisable to refer to a doctor who can determine the cause and find the most appropriate treatment.
• In contrast, temporary fatigue , as its name suggests, is a state of fatigue that can last up to 6 months. In this case the fatigue can be physical, due to lack of sleep for example, or moral, due to constant stress at work or exhausting daily worries. It is then possible to use, among other things, natural products, such as essential oils or food supplements to help your body get rid of this feeling of exhaustion. It is important to add that this type of fatigue can also be due to a poor diet and a lack of vitamins and minerals, so it is important to reconsider your diet and possibly consult a doctor or nutritionist.

Fatigue is therefore considered normal if it follows a period of stress, sport, intense work or short nights: a good night's rest, a few natural treatments and a vacation are generally enough to get rid of it!

Symptoms of fatigue

The symptoms of temporary or chronic fatigue are well known:

• Lack of strength in the morning even after a good night's sleep
• Decreased energy in general
• Difficulty concentrating
• Sad mood, less enthusiasm and joy of living
• Every little effort costs you a lot of energy
• Little motivation to move or leave the house

Daily fatigue is tiring! We feel tired, exhausted and often we don't really know why. Fatigue is often a warning signal from the body: something is wrong! Most often it is “normal” fatigue, due to too intense physical activity or a bad night's sleep. Nothing alarming and nothing a good night's sleep can't fix.

It is therefore important to identify the fatigue we are facing in order to fight effectively and quickly against this state of weariness. Understanding fatigue is essential to successfully treating it. There is no point taking essential oils that will help you sleep well if you already sleep like a log. What you are missing in this case is perhaps just a little tone and energy.

Different types of temporary fatigue:

• Physical fatigue: After an intense day of sport or after helping a friend move, we feel tired and muscle pain may occur. This is good fatigue, physical fatigue -> see our recipes at the beginning of the file.
• Psychological fatigue: due to stress, overwork, an ever-increasing expectation to do things quickly and well, this psychological fatigue is more difficult to treat. You must succeed in reducing sources of stress and learn to relax.
• Fatigue due to sleep disorders: This may be sleep apnea, non-restorative sleep or insomnia (see our file: Insomnia? How to sleep well with essential oils).
• Fatigue due to “bad” eating habits: Our diet plays a vital role in our health. You must not lack any essential vitamins and have a balanced intake of proteins, carbohydrates, etc. Good eating habits are essential to have tone and energy on a daily basis.
• Asthenia: great fatigue felt without specific causes

In the event that fatigue is temporary, due, for example, to an intense period at work, precautions should be taken and a day of rest should be planned in order to regain all the necessary strength. But if you feel that, for several months in a row, you are tired and lacking strength, it may be a warning signal that your body is sending you.

The causes of fatigue and poor sleep are sometimes trivial, but there are situations where medical follow-up is necessary. If you think your fatigue is caused by lack of sleep, consult our special insomnia file at the bottom of this article. Here are the main causes of fatigue that you can easily get rid of on your own (sometimes with the help of certain essential oils): Stress, lack of sleep or disturbed sleep, lack of vitamins, unbalanced diet.

Chronic or persistent fatigue, pay attention to your health!!

As we have already mentioned, if you suffer from chronic fatigue it is then necessary to consult a doctor!

Here are the main problems that can manifest themselves:

• Thyroid problems
• Anemia
• All kinds of infections
• Depression
• Obesity

In any case, if after having rested properly you do not feel any improvement, consult a doctor to find the cause of this persistent fatigue.