.png)
Types of Tiredness
- cordeliawyche
- Jul 16
- 2 min read
Updated: Jul 18
Sometimes it can feel like ‘tired’ is undergoing a bit of semantic bleaching, or maybe even that it is on its way to becoming the new ‘fine.’
“How are you?”
“Tired! You?”
“Same!”
For now it retains a little edge, a communication perhaps of being busy or the sense of it being a long week. However, in the knowing tone there is also something normalising as if perhaps to say: “tired but aren’t we all?!” or “tired, but what’s new there?!”
Being tired every so often, or at the end of a day well spent is of course no bad thing – indeed it can be distinctly positive, cultivating contentment or a sense of satisfaction that lends itself to a good night’s sleep.
However, when that’s not the kind of tired we mean, when it feels more like being drained, or foggy, or depleted, it might be useful to start paying attention to how we’re feeling tired.
Below, I offer an introduction to some of the different ‘types of tired’ along with a brief description. This list is not exhaustive and you may find you want to add your own or adapt the descriptions and use the language that makes most sense for you.
Physical: From physical activity, a body that feels tired, muscles ache or movement feels effortful.
Social: Navigating/managing in person or online interactions, for example: meetings, events, networking, seeing friends/family.
Emotional: Perhaps after a specific catalyst – something has happened or in supporting someone else: holding a range of feelings, especially those which might feel more ‘raw’.
Environmental: Multiple sources of sensory input, intense sensory experiences, or sensory experiences which feel in competition: for example, bright lighting, loud/multiple sounds, busy environments.
Mental: Processing new information, especially as part of learning/studying/training.
Psychological: Making decisions, including the everyday like what to eat for dinner, to organisational/administrative tasks that may be complex or ‘high stakes.’
Creative: The making of something, bringing an idea to life, working on a project, for example: crafts, DIY, cooking, writing, playing.
You can also find a link below to the different types set out in a table, along with more information, like possible indicators as well as space to describe the kind of rest you might need and prompts to help identify what that might be.
Here is a preview of the table:
And here is the link to access it:
Or if you would like a copy as a word document, please do not hesitate to contact me using the form.
The aim of this sheet is to help you better understand the ways you get tired, your indicators and the rest you need, so please use the table as feels best for you. Or, if you don't have the energy right now but you've got this far, can I ask, what is it you need right now?
Comments