5 reasons why you feel so tired during your days off and how to fix it

Ah, the weekend — a time for relaxation, rejuvenation, and… exhaustion? It's not uncommon to find yourself feeling utterly drained when your much-awaited days off finally roll around. While weekends are meant for recharging, many of us end up feeling more fatigued than refreshed. If this sounds all too familiar, you're not alone. Here are a few reasons why you might be feeling tired during your precious week-offs and practical tips to turn things around.

Routinely sacrificing sleep on workdays accumulates a significant sleep debt, which you aim to repay over the weekend. But attempting to catch up on lost sleep by oversleeping can further disrupt your body's natural sleep-wake cycle, resulting in grogginess and fatigue.

Solution: Prioritise consistent sleep. Aim for seven to nine hours of quality sleep each night, including weekends, to reduce the need for catch-up sleep. Establish a relaxing bedtime routine and create a sleep-conducive environment to ensure restful nights.

The incessant buzz of emails, back-to-back meetings, and constant screen time during the workweek can overload your senses and exhaust your mind. The brain works overtime processing information, often leaving you mentally drained even before the weekend begins.

Solution: Practice mindful breaks during work hours. Stepping away from screens, practising brief meditation, or taking short walks can help recalibrate your mind. Set boundaries by scheduling periods of uninterrupted focus to prevent overstimulation.