If you’ve been feeling exhausted all the time, you’re not alone.
About 71.5% of adults in the U.S. say they experienced fatigue on multiple days over the past three months, according to a new report published Sept. 3 by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s National Center for Health Statistics. Women and younger adults reported frequent fatigue more often than men and older adults.
The report generally defines fatigue as physical or mental tiredness or exhaustion that does not improve with additional sleep or rest.
How Fatigue Can Affect Daily Life
Frequent fatigue may point to an underlying health problem, although some symptoms may not be linked to a specific medical condition, the report says.
People experiencing fatigue are at higher risk of activity limitations and disability, including permanent work disability. Fatigue is also associated with poorer health outcomes and a heightened risk of mortality, although the report describes it as an underexplored topic.
People with fatigue often report difficulty concentrating, mobility limitations and psychosocial problems. Anxiety (69.6%), cognitive difficulties (46.1%) and symptoms of depression (45.0%) were the three most frequently co-occurring functioning difficulties among adults who reported frequent fatigue. Those adults were more than three times as likely to report symptoms of depression and about twice as likely to report cognitive difficulties or anxiety.
What the CDC Survey Found
About 27,000 adults ages 18 and older participated in the NCHS study in 2024, sharing details about their health and daily lives. The survey did not examine the underlying causes of frequent fatigue, and it is not known whether the condition has improved or worsened since earlier years.
- Nearly 3 in 4 adults felt very tired or exhausted on at least some days during the previous three months.
- About 1 in 6 adults experienced frequent fatigue, defined as feeling very tired or exhausted most days or every day.
- Frequent fatigue was highest among adults ages 18 to 34, at 19.5%, while adults 65 and older reported the lowest rate, at 12.9%.
- Women were more likely than men to report frequent fatigue: 20% versus 13%.
- American Indian and Alaska Native adults reported the highest rate of frequent fatigue, at 25.5%, while Asian adults reported the lowest rate, at 9.1%.
- Adults in the South (17.7%) and Midwest (17.5%) reported frequent fatigue more often than those in the West (15.6%) or Northeast (14.5%).
Ways to Manage Fatigue
Fatigue often needs more than a good night’s sleep to resolve. The Mayo Clinic recommends these habits to help reduce it:
- Fix your sleep schedule: Most adults need at least seven hours of sleep each night. Avoid screens for at least an hour before bed, and keep your bedroom dark and cool. Avoid overly sugary or spicy foods and alcohol before bed. Going to bed and waking up at the same time every day can also help.
- Exercise: Regular activity can build muscle strength and endurance and reduce overall fatigue. Choose activities you enjoy and fit them into your daily schedule.
- Consider aromatherapy: Limited research has found that smelling an essential oil such as lavender before bed may boost melatonin. Other studies have found aromatherapy can help with insomnia, the Mayo Clinic says.
- Try meditation: Mindful breathing or visualization exercises may help soothe the nervous system and encourage more restful sleep.
If you experience persistent fatigue, Mayo Clinic fatigue specialist Dr. Chris Aakre advises visiting your doctor or health care team to try to discover the root cause.
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