Know the Difference Between Sleepiness and Fatigue

Getting insufficient sleep can leave you dragging through you day and sometimes even longer. You might think you have sleepiness and fatigue, which are actually two different conditions. Sleepiness, or drowsiness, is the extreme desire to sleep. Taking a nap or sleeping generally gets rid of this feeling. In contrast, fatigue is constant state of weariness that doesn’t go away with sleep. You may need to see a doctor for fatigue. you can know the difference between sleep and fatigue and get proper treatment by identifying the signs of sleepiness and observing the symptoms of fatigue.

Steps

Identifying the Signs of Sleepiness

1. Notice when you doze off. Your eyelids might get heavy during the day from a boring class or meeting or after a heavy lunch. Keep track of when you feel like dozing off. This can clue you into if you’re simply sleepy or sleep deficient. Common times people get sleepy include:
   • Sitting down in your office, classroom, or a meeting
   • Reading
   • Watching TV or a movie
   • Riding in a car for an hour without stopping
   • Waiting in traffic for a few minutes
2. Check for physical symptoms. Sleepiness can make your body uncomfortable. Watching for physical symptoms can help you figure out if you are drowsy instead of fatigued. Symptoms include:
   • Heavy eyelids
   • Trouble keeping your head up
   • Inability to keep eyes open
   • Frequent yawning
   • Slow reaction times
3. Watch for cognitive signs. Drowsiness can affect your brain’s ability to work at its best. Look for the following cognitive signs of sleepiness, which can alert you to nap or get a good night’s sleep:
   • Wandering thoughts
   • Inability to focus or pay attention
   • Difficulty making decisions
   • Inability to solve problems
   • Making many mistakes
   • Inability to finish tasks
4. Detect behavioral effects. Sleepiness can also affect your behavior, such as times you snap at someone because you need a nap. Watching for certain behaviors can let you know if you’re drowsy. Behaviors to watch for include:
   • Inability to cope with change
   • Inability to control emotions and behavior
   • Having mood swings
   • Feeling sad or depressed
   • Lacking motivation
   • Being impulsive
5. Consider underlying causes. Certain conditions or medications can make you drowsy. Being aware of these can alert you to potential problems or plan to get extra sleep at night. Underlying medical causes of sleepiness include:
   • Apnea
   • Insomnia
   • Narcolepsy
   • Taking tranquilizers, sleeping pills, or antihistamines
   • Long-term insomnia
   • Diabetes
   • Underactive thyroid, or hypothyroidism

Observing the Symptoms of Fatigue

1. Admit if you’re constantly tired. The big difference between sleepiness and fatigue is that fatigue is unrelenting exhaustion that isn’t relieved with sleep. Asking yourself, “Do I still feel tired and achy even after a good night’s sleep?,” can alert you to a more serious issue than not getting enough sleep. Acknowledging that you are constantly tired or feel weak can ensure you get prompt care.
2. Distinguish physical symptoms. Fatigue can really affect how your body feels. Constant and reduced levels of energy are two factors that distinguish fatigue from sleepiness. Identifying physical symptoms can help you figure out if you are just drowsy or fatigued. The physical signs of fatigue include:
   • Persistent weariness
   • Reduced energy
   • Feeling unrefreshed after a night’s sleep
   • Muscle pain
   • Frequent headaches
   • Multi-joint pain without redness or swelling
   • Dizziness
   • Appetite loss
   • Reduced immune system function
   • Slowed reflexes and responses
3. Look for intellectual symptoms. Like drowsiness, fatigue can also affect your brain. However, the cognitive signs may be more noticeable or not go away. Watching your cognitive ability for symptoms can help you determine if you have fatigue. Signs of fatigue include:
   • Inability to concentrate
   • Impaired decision making and judgment
   • Moodiness
   • Irritability
   • Impaired hand-eye coordination
   • Short-term memory problems
   • Poor concentration
   • Reduced ability to pay attention
4. Consider your behavior. Constant weariness can noticeably change your behavior. Seeing if your moods are different over time may signal fatigue. Watch for the following behavioral signs that can indicate fatigue:
   • Low motivation
   • Moodiness
   • Irritability
   • Feeling constantly stressed
   • Anxiety
   • Depression

Dealing with Sleepiness and Fatigue

1. Seek medical attention. Make a doctor’s appointment if you are fatigued for two or more weeks. This may signal an underlying condition such as hypothyroidism or depression. Get immediate medical attention if you have fatigue with the following symptoms:
   • Abnormal bleeding, especially from your rectum or vomiting blood
   • Severe headache
   • Chest pain
   • Shortness of breathe
   • Irregular or fast heartbeat
   • Dizziness or feeling like you might pass out
   • Severe abdominal, pelvic or back pain
   • Feelings that you may harm yourself or someone else
2. Set a fixed bedtime. Go to bed at the same time every evening as much as possible. Regular bedtimes set your body clock. This can make it easier to get a good night’s rest and avoid drowsiness or fatigue.
   • Figure out a reasonable bedtime based on factors such as your work schedule, exercise, and diet. Schedule your bedtime 2-3 hours after hard activities or eating a heavy meal. This gives your body and mind time to wind down.
   • Adjust your schedule as needed.
   • Get into bed at the same time every night, even if you are not tired. Get up for a few minutes and do something relaxing like listening to music or reading in dimmed light if you can’t fall asleep immediately.
3. Shift into bedtime mode. Set aside one hour of relax time before your fixed bedtime. You can read in dimmed lights or take a bath, for example. This time can signal your body to sleep as well as help you relax and fall asleep quickly.
   • Avoid using electronics, devices, or bright lights during this hour. Light, images, and other content can stimulate your brain and may keep you from falling asleep.
4. Have a bedtime ritual. Do activities every night that relax you before bed. These might include taking a warm bath, reading a book, or having a glass or warm milk. A routine can signal your body and mind that it’s time for bed. It may also help you sleep better.
   • Choose something that you can do in dimmed light or you can switch into bedtime mode. For example, play with your pet, read a magazine, or watch a show in your TV or device’s nighttime mode, which blocks out blue light.
5. Create an optimal sleeping space. Having a comfy and cozy bedroom can help you get an optimal night’s rest. This can help ease sleepiness and fatigue that you may have the next day. Try the following to turn your bedroom into a sleep paradise:
   • Removing electronics
   • Leaving work in another room and any work from your room
   • Setting your bedroom temperature between 60-75 degrees
   • Opening a window or running a fan for ventilation
   • Having comfortable bedding
   • Blocking out light with blinds or curtains
   • Dampening sounds and listening to white noise

Sources and Citations

See also

• Sleep Naked
• Fall Asleep Fast
• Stop Drooling in Your Sleep
• Keep Someone from Falling Asleep
• Not Be Tired
• Be Nocturnal
• Condition Your Body to Need Less Sleep
• Stay Up For Three Days Straight
• Induce Sleep Paralysis
• Sleep While Sitting Up

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