Are you concerned about your lethargy?
There’s a difference between being lazy and feeling lethargic. Laziness is feeling unwilling to do anything; a decision to avoid physical or mental exertion and a choice to loaf around instead. There’s no harm in being lazy every now and again – in fact, it’s healthy to practice mindful laziness and to schedule regular downtime. Lazy time can give you the space you need to think and time to relax, reducing your chances of burnout. This is beneficial to your overall general wellbeing and helps you manage your anxiety and stress levels. Read more about the perks of laziness here.
Lethargy is a state of fatigue – a sluggish lack of energy and motivation. You may feel drowsy and less alert than you normally are. You may also feel like you’re:
- Struggling to get motivated
- Low on energy or struggling to concentrate
- Having trouble sleeping or can’t seem to keep your eyes open
- Physically and/or mentally sluggish?
If you can relate to these symptoms, you may be experiencing lethargy. You can try these self-care tips to help you fight tiredness:
- Eat little and often to boost your energy levels throughout the day.
- Make time to exercise – even just 15 minutes a day can increase your energy levels.
- Get plenty of sleep. We need around 8-10 hours of sleep every night to give our bodies the chance to fully rest and regenerate.
- Reduce stress where you can. Try meditation, yoga or spending time with friends to relax.
When Is Lethargy A Concern?
Being lethargic can simply be a sign that you aren’t getting enough sleep or are suffering from burnout, but it may also be a symptom of an underlying physical or mental condition. It’s also a common symptom of depression. It’s important to remember that the symptoms of depression vary from person to person, but some of the most common signs include:
- Feeling sad or hopeless regularly
- Changes to your sleep pattern, like sleeping too much or not being able to sleep
- Changes to your appetite
- Tiredness
- Feeling angry or irritable
- Wanting to be alone more often
- Feeling lonely or isolated
- Feeling sick or getting stomach aches
- Not enjoying things that used to make you happy
- Difficulty concentrating
- Anxiety or worry
- Suicidal thoughts
If you’re experiencing lethargy or any of these other symptoms, make an appointment with your doctor. It can help to make a list of your symptoms before your appointment to give your doctor as much information as possible. They will be able to offer advice and let you know about the different treatment options available to you. They might prescribe medication or counselling. Or a combination of the two might be a good option for your needs. Talking to your doctor about these things can be tricky but they are there to help you and they’ve heard from many people in a similar situation. So, they will understand.
Get more support for depression here.
