According to a new report, more than one in five people in Mayo suffer from exhaustion every day and over a quarter have had time off work due to tiredness.
The report, which includes research carried out by Opinion Matters on behalf of the multivitamin Pharmaton, looked at the levels of fatigue and stress in Irish people and the impact on work, health, and family life. Almost eight out of 10 people surveyed in Mayo agreed that society is more pressured now than it was five years ago.
The research found that the main causes of stress for people in the region are work (61 per cent compared to 50 per cent nationally ) and money (35 per cent compared to 58 per cent nationally ). The management of this stress and tiredness is cause for concern with nine per cent of respondents in Mayo admitting turning to alcohol to destress.
The survey results for Mayo also showed that 48 per cent said that their bosses do not see the pressure they put them under, 35 per cent have made a mistake at work due to tiredness, nine per cent have fallen asleep at their desks, four per cent have cried at work due to exhaustion, 35 per cent have recently been too tired to concentrate, and 31 per cent of people feel like a failure.
“These results show that recognising and acting on fatigue as soon as possible is crucial as concentration, attentiveness, and mental performance can all be affected,” said family GP Dr Paul Heslin. “Fatigue in the workforce can also cause loss of efficiency, productivity, and profitability.”
The results also showed that personal relationships in Mayo are being affected with 61 per cent snapping at their family because of tiredness and 22 per cent of respondents saying that they have recently been too tired for sex.
Although more than 60 per cent of those surveyed in the region admitted feeling tired at least once a week, over a quarter of respondents do not seek advice about tiredness from anyone.
Over 60 per cent of those surveyed in the region avoid exercise due to tiredness.
