Fatigue Is More Than Just Sleepiness
The rising cost of healthcare, economic uncertainties, and fears about AI—it's enough to exhaust anyone. According to a new report from the CDC's National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS), about 71.5% of U.S. adults experienced fatigue on multiple days over the past three months. Nearly 1 in 6 reported feeling very tired or exhausted "most days" or "every day."
Who Is Most Affected?
Based on a 2024 survey of about 27,000 adults aged 18 and older, the report found:
- Younger adults (18-34): Highest rate of frequent fatigue at 19.5%; lowest among adults 65+ at 12.9%.
- Women: 20% reported frequent fatigue, compared to 13% of men.
- Racial disparities: American Indian/Alaska Native adults had the highest rate (25.5%), followed by white (18%), Black (17.3%), Hispanic (12.9%), and Asian adults (9.1%).
- Regional differences: Adults in the South (17.7%) and Midwest (17.5%) were more likely to experience frequent fatigue than those in the West (15.6%) or Northeast (14.5%).
Fatigue Linked to Mental Health and Chronic Conditions
The study found that adults with frequent fatigue were more than three times as likely to have symptoms of depression and about twice as likely to report cognitive difficulties or anxiety symptoms. Fatigue is not just a physical issue—it's deeply intertwined with mental health.
Clinical psychologist Jennifer Caspari notes that stress causes surges in hormones like cortisol and adrenaline, which can wear the body down. Stress can also lead to anxiety and depression, disrupting sleep and creating a vicious cycle.
Why Women Report More Fatigue
More than half of women said they felt fatigue "some days," and 20% experienced it "most days or every day." Reasons may include:
- Chronic health issues like autoimmune diseases, which often include fatigue as a symptom, affect women in greater numbers.
- Hormonal fluctuations during menstruation, pregnancy, perimenopause, and menopause can affect energy levels.
- Many women in heterosexual relationships say they feel they have more responsibilities at work and home, and even when tasks are evenly divided, they tend to worry more about organizing and planning.
How to Deal with Fatigue
Dr. Alana A. Lewis, a cardiologist at Northwestern Medicine, recommends starting with the "three big pillars": mental health, lifestyle, and physical health. She asks patients:
- Are you getting enough sleep?
- Are you eating well?
- Are you exercising?
- Are you on your screen all day?
Lewis encourages following the American Heart Association's Life's Essential 8 checklist. Pay attention to sleep and stress patterns to determine whether fatigue is temporary or has become "chronic and persistent," which could indicate a medical problem like heart disease, obstructive sleep apnea, anemia, or thyroid issues.
Caspari suggests learning to relax, both physically and mentally, including passive rest (like watching TV) and active rest (like breathing exercises and gentle stretching). "You're not a robot. You only have so much energy," she says. "Active rest can feel more nourishing and have a more helpful impact on fatigue over time rather than just sitting and scrolling."
Track Your Health Metrics with Technology
Want to better manage fatigue, sleep, and stress? Xiaoshu Health App can sync with Apple Health to help you track sleep duration, heart rate variability, step count, and other key metrics, so you can better understand your body and adjust your lifestyle in time.