Some days the world feels unsteady, as if gravity loosens its grip and energy slips through the cracks of everyday life. People move in frenetic rhythms, chasing a pace that seems to push not only planets but entire galaxies to spin faster. Yet perpetual motion remains a myth, and a machine running at full tilt cannot sustain that intensity forever. If a society pushes its people too hard, a sudden stall becomes a real risk. Fatigue is a common thread in modern life, with estimates suggesting that a sizable portion of the population experiences chronic energy drain. In Russia, for example, the share is reported to be substantial, sometimes described as a quarter to half of the population depending on the measure. Note: these figures reflect different methodologies and contexts used by experts and researchers.
Why do statistics on fatigue vary so much? It comes down to who is counted and how. Medical professionals often rely on criteria that require persistent exhaustion for six months and objective test results. Social scientists, meanwhile, depend on self-reported experiences, where a person might say they feel unwell or even claim they cannot continue, which researchers interpret as indication of fatigue. The way questions are asked, and the definitions used, shape the numbers. A common observation is that if it looks like fatigue, it is treated as fatigue.
According to surveys, a large share of people report some form of fatigue at various frequencies. Younger adults may cite higher rates, while women often report fatigue more than men, a pattern that intersects with responsibilities at work, caregiving, and daily life. Many express feeling worn out by demanding jobs, intense workloads, or constant mental tasks. A notable portion reports strain from physical labor, ongoing stress, or family and relationship pressures. Even hobbies can drain energy when time and energy are scarce. Some respondents describe situations where even garden chores or caring for plants seem exhausting. For a portion of people, family roles contribute to fatigue as energy is stretched across multiple duties, from child care to household management.
Let’s turn to work. Work remains a central element of life, shaping how people spend their days and, in many cases, how they define themselves. Yet the modern workplace often looks like a revolving door of tasks, meetings, and expectations. The eight-hour day, clear roles, and defined responsibilities once symbolized balance, but today many workers face overlapping duties and constant interruptions. The office, the field, the factory, and the commute blend into a seamless schedule where work follows people into transit and even into moments meant for rest. People juggle multiple obligations at once—for themselves, for colleagues, and for clients. The march of tools, software, and automation promises efficiency, yet it can also create a sense of a never-ending stack of tasks. The push for perfection, once a personal standard, can become a societal ideal that taxes mental health and productivity.
And so the pressure grows. The idea of treating every day like a fixed protocol—plans, checklists, and reports—takes hold. People are asked to follow steps, fill out spreadsheets, coordinate with colleagues, and participate in continuous learning. The expectation is to approach work with precision, care, and discipline, sometimes at the expense of rest and creativity. Perfectionism, once a personal goal, has, for some, become an unspoken norm that feeds stress and fatigue.
Some observers contend that the emphasis on relentless efficiency blurs the line between human effort and machine operation. The goal is not to erase humanity but to streamline processes. Still, when the system rewards speed over well-being, fatigue can feel like a structural issue rather than a personal shortcoming. The human factor—empathy, flexible thinking, and the ability to pause when needed—plays a crucial role in sustainable performance. A pause is not a luxury; it is fuel for long-term effectiveness.
Rest, recreation, and social connection matter. Breaks during the day, meals, short walks, and conversations with colleagues can recharge energy and spark new ideas. Engagement with hobbies, travel, and social activities supports resilience and creativity, turning downtime into a source of vitality rather than a deficit. In many households, balancing work with family life requires deliberate planning and honest expectations. The modern family often treats time as a scarce resource, and that reality can intensify the pressure to perform.
In the end, fatigue is not merely a personal weakness. It reveals how systems in work and society are designed to operate and how they can be redesigned to support human well-being. The objective is not to chase an impossible standard of nonstop efficiency, but to foster a sustainable rhythm where rest and effort coexist productively. This approach helps people stay resilient, creative, and capable of sustained achievement over time. Attribution: survey data referenced by researchers and public opinion polls. (citation: VTsIOM)