This condition is familiar to far more people than it may seem. The results of the National Well-being Index (NWI) study initiated by “Eurovaistinė” show that a third of the population lacks energy daily: 14% feel tired, and 20% feel moderately so, according to the pharmacy network’s press release.
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Interestingly, two out of three Lithuanians rate their energy level quite favorably, but as many as 71% say they have sleep disorders, 38% do not exercise at all, and only 4 out of 10 people wake up alert and rested. This suggests that Lithuanians are quite well adapted to functioning even when they are not truly rested, compensating for the lack of energy in other ways – with coffee, rushing, or the habit of pushing themselves.
A phenomenon with a scientific name
Laziness is usually considered a character flaw, but sometimes the body deliberately “slows down” to protect itself. In medicine, a well-known phenomenon called “sickness behavior” is recognized. It is an evolutionarily preserved response of the body – energy is directed not towards activity but towards more important survival processes, such as immune defense.
“When we get sick, it is no coincidence that we want to sleep more, socialize less, find it harder to concentrate, and have a decreased appetite – the body tries to redirect energy from less important activities to survival priorities. At the same time, even dopamine and serotonin synthesis changes, so during inflammation we not only feel tired but also lose motivation and pleasure,” explains the geneticist.
This short-term, acute response – for example, when having the flu – is natural and even beneficial. The problem, according to the specialist, arises when this mechanism “gets stuck.” “This can happen due to poor-quality sleep, long-term stress, hormonal imbalance, inflammatory processes. The brain continues to ‘read’ the signal as if the body still has to fight an infection. So a person can feel tired constantly, even if at first glance there is no clear reason,” says Dr. V. Dirsė.
However, he emphasizes that it is important not to oversimplify and say that all fatigue is just a protective signal. Some conditions, such as chronic fatigue syndrome, are no longer about energy conservation but about its production disorder. Therefore, prolonged fatigue should always be discussed with a specialist to identify the true causes and seek solutions.
When is reluctance to do something laziness, and when is it an important sign?
According to the expert, this is one of the more complex practical questions because there is no objective “test.” However, Dr. V. Dirsė offers some guidelines that may help understand when to seek help. It is likely more a matter of motivation if:
- the reluctance is related only to a specific task – energy returns when the activity changes;
- there is still energy for enjoyable activities;
- the condition improves after a short rest or sleep;
- there are no other physical symptoms.
More attention should be paid to health if:
- fatigue does not go away even after full sleep or rest;
- there is a lack of energy for everything, even favorite activities;
- the condition lasts weeks, not just a few days;
- it started after illness, long-term stress, or lack of sleep;
- other symptoms appear as well: poorer concentration, muscle pain, sensitivity to cold or heat, changes in appetite or weight.
“A practical distinction can help orient. If fatigue is selective – I don’t want to do one thing but want to do another – we are more likely talking about motivation. If fatigue is global and I don’t even want to do what I usually like, it is worth looking more closely at health. However, this is not a diagnostic criterion – if the condition persists, a doctor’s consultation is needed, not self-diagnosis,” emphasizes Dr. V. Dirsė.
Where to start if fatigue does not go away?
According to the longevity science representative, if you constantly feel tired, you should first evaluate three basic things – sleep quality (not just duration), physical activity (even small, regular), and nutrition quality.
If fatigue lasts longer than a few weeks and does not depend on rest, it is important to consult a doctor. According to the geneticist, in such cases it is worth ruling out possible health causes – from thyroid dysfunction or iron deficiency to vitamin D deficiency, hormonal fluctuations, or chronic inflammation.
This is supplemented by pharmacist Ignas Popa: “When looking for the cause of fatigue, it is worth reviewing the medications used. Drowsiness and lack of energy can be caused by some allergy medications, anti-nausea drugs, sedatives, as well as some pain management drugs. It is especially important to be alert if fatigue started after beginning a new medication or changing its dose. Medications should not be stopped arbitrarily – it is first worth consulting a doctor or pharmacist.”
According to Dr. V. Dirsė, it is also important to reduce chronic stress, not just “rest more.” Sometimes the problem is not a lack of rest but constant nervous system activation (by caffeine, screens, information flow). Here, conscious disconnection intervals during the day are more effective than simply additional sleep.
He emphasizes – one should not immediately create a perfect recovery plan. A common mistake is trying to change everything at once (diet, exercise, sleep). It is much more sustainable to start with one small but consistent change (e.g., fixed sleep time), which allows feeling the effect and strengthens motivation for further steps.
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