There is a big difference (though not always discernible) between being tired and being fatigued.
Working three jobs for instance - it gets incredibly busy and makes you feel 'dog-tired'. Usually, after a full week of three jobs, a relatively healthy person would need one day or two, just to relax at home, sleep in, maybe have a nap, and hit the hay early. Even many people who DO have health issues have similar experiences. Back a few years ago, I worked three jobs and was involved in many organized sports teams. It was tiresome. BUT, at about 2 in the afternoon, I could have some protein and boost my Vitamin C, maybe even catch a quick little 5 minute cat nap, and I would be good to go until about 11pm. Then I could do it all over again the next day, and for several days afterwards.
All I would need is a little pick-me-up, even a simple change of scenery or switching tasks in order to restore all of my energy.
Fatigue is an entirely different ball game.
Take, for instance, my day yesterday. I visited some friends and went to my man's place for a bit. I went to my friend's house and we visited just hanging out on the couch. Same deal with my man's place - watched a little tv and he made us a nice dinner. Then, I visited another couple of friends - went over there, sat on a chair, ate some blueberries, and visited.
Yesterday was such a big day for me that I was unable to function until about 3pm today. I slept from 11pm until 3pm the next day - 16 hours of sleep, straight, apart from a quick bathroom run for Decker.
Now, when I say that I was 'unable to function', it may not be the experience you might be picturing. If I had forced myself out of bed to get ready and be productive today in some way, it is not like taking a deep breath, grabbing a good breakfast, and all-of-a-sudden I feel more awake. That particular scenario, I think, happens for most people. What usually happens in an instance like this is, if I force myself to get up and dressed and get out the door, I (very literally) would not get as far as the couch without falling back asleep - in the washroom, sitting on my bed trying to decide what to wear, sitting at my kitchen island trying to eat breakfast... You get the idea.
Further to that, my energy stores for the next week will be behind because of the fatigue experienced.
In essence - if I 'normally' start out with 30 spoons a day, once I am this fatigued, I will be working with as little as five spoons a day - no joke. Today, I was lucky to manage to get Decker out without calling a friend or neighbor to help me with him. I was lucky to have enough energy to watch a bit of tv and to concentrate and focus on a tv show.
You can rectify tiredness by sleeping a little extra, or finding some leftover energy (a 'second wind'), even simply having a light meal.
Fatigue can take weeks and months to finally improve.
Was it worth it?
Absolutely!!!
Fatigue - although underestimated and misunderstood - does not tend to physically make chronic illnesses worse. Don't get me wrong here - it CAN have a major effect, especially if it continues long-term. If you don't allow yourself proper recuperation time, it may end up simply becoming worse and worse and creating more severe and more serious problems.
Think of it in terms of a bacterial infection. Let's say a UTI. Overall, cases of Urinary Tract Infections are taken care of right away. They can be excruciatingly painful, and can sometimes progress to cause associated major health problems. You are prescribed antibiotics - for a 10 day cycle - but it starts to feel MUCH better after four days. Perhaps you are someone who absolutely hates being on any kind of medication at all (then again, who really loves it). So, when you are feeling better, you decide that you can discontinue the antibiotic cycle.
BOOM!
One week later you are in so much pain and such intense pain that you immediately go back to the doctor.
Without allowing for the antibiotic to COMPLETE its job to kill the infection, you have not only taught the bacteria what to expect and give it time to become resistant to medication, but the bacteria then comes back full force and with even more intensity.
Now the doctor has to prescribe you a new antibiotic so that the infection doesn't continue to get worse and cause more severe complications.
If you don't fully recuperate, you can damage yourself in so many other ways.
Being 'tired' is relatively easy to improve.
Experiencing fatigue is never simple to recuperate from.
That is often why I can try to plan one thing a day, or one big day full of events in ONE week's time. I NEED to allow myself time to recuperate - and I cannot simply 'get a good night's sleep' in order to restore my energy levels.
:)