Dealing with the reality of
END-OF YEAR FATIGUE Viwe Ndongeni-Ntlebi
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IF YOU’RE finding it difficult to concentrate, are more irritable, and having difficulties getting started with your day in the mornings, you’re not alone. As the year draws to a close, many people experience end-ofyear fatigue – a real phenomenon that affects many people in the last months of the year. The syndrome is real, even for the most hard-working people, and is often characterised by exhaustion, anxiety and laziness, especially during November and December, says Megan Hosking – psychiatric intake clinician at Akeso Clinics. “End of the year fatigue is a phenomenon experienced by some as the end of the year draws nearer, where they start to feel more tired, irritable and overwhelmed. It may feel as though every day is just a case of ‘going through the motions’, with little to no joy or satisfaction.” She says there are a number of different possible contributors to this, including the higher number of deadlines as people try to wrap up their work before the end of the year. However, it’s important to distinguish between the end-of-year fatigue which occurs specifically at this time of year, and something like a mood or anxiety disorder or burn-out, which is not time-bound. She says signs of fatigue can be being distracted, grumpiness, anxiety, laziness, short temper, confusion and tiredness. These would be out of the ordinary for
