29
Oct 2024
Hidden Reasons for Your Persistent Fatigue
Published in General on October 29, 2024
Many Australians are currently experiencing increased fatigue, moodiness, and burnout, and a sleep expert suggests that daylight savings may be a contributing factor. Since the shift on October 6, when clocks were moved forward by one hour, many have reported feeling "completely exhausted" and likened the adjustment period to experiencing jet lag. While the extra hour of daylight is appreciated, the hidden downsides can linger for weeks.
You might wake up feeling exhausted because the transition to daylight savings causes a sudden change in sleep schedules. Sleep expert Elina Winnel explains that it takes time for your body to adjust to waking up an hour earlier, disrupting your sleep cycle. This adjustment period can lead to feelings of sleep deprivation until your body catches up.
During the transition to daylight savings, people may wake up during a deeper phase of sleep, causing "sleep inertia," which can result in grogginess and irritability. Elina Winnel notes that this disruption occurs when sleep cycles are interrupted. Those with rigid routines, such as schoolchildren or individuals with strict schedules, may feel the effects more acutely, while those with flexible schedules may adapt more easily.
Daylight savings can unexpectedly lead to feelings of burnout. The extra evening light may give the illusion of more time, prompting people to pack their days with additional activities. This increased productivity, especially for evening-oriented individuals, can elevate stress hormones before bed, negatively impacting sleep quality. Elina Winnel advises that if you find yourself feeling overwhelmed, it's beneficial to consciously scale back activities. However, engaging in relaxing or enjoyable pursuits is fine, as they typically don’t hinder your ability to wind down.
To better adjust to daylight savings in the future, sleep expert Elina Winnel recommends gradually shifting your sleep schedule in the weeks leading up to the change. For those who use alarms, a vibrating alarm linked to a sleep app can help by waking you during your lightest sleep phase.
Australia is not alone in experiencing sleep disruptions from daylight savings; countries like Norway face more extreme variations in daylight. For these clients, Winnel advises creating indoor light or dark environments to help regulate their circadian rhythms.
In light of the findings from lululemon's 2024 Global Wellbeing Report, Australians might also consider how their living situations affect their wellness. A comprehensive hospital accommodation guide can help individuals find spaces that promote relaxation and well-being. Whether seeking a cozy retreat or a vibrant city apartment, understanding your accommodation options can play a crucial role in improving your quality of life and combating burnout.
![A Medicare bulk-billed urgent care clinic, established by the federal government to help reduce emergency department pressures, has unexpectedly closed in Bundaberg, Queensland, less than a year after opening. Located 400 kilometres north of Brisbane, this clinic was one of 75 launched across Australia since June 2023 to redirect non-life-threatening cases away from hospitals, allow emergency departments to focus on the most critical cases.
Since its opening in November last year, the Bundaberg Urgent Care Clinic (UCC) has provided care to hundreds of patients. However, it unexpectedly closed its doors on October 22, with plans to reopen a week later. A sign now indicates that it is "closed until further notice." This makes the Bundaberg UCC the only one of its kind in Australia to shut down.
Patient Sue Hackett expressed her surprise upon arriving at the clinic on Tuesday when she found it closed. “I looked on the website, and it actually showed it was open... I've come here assuming they're open,” Ms. Hackett said.
Julie Sturgess, chief executive of the region's public health network Country to Coast, told the ABC that she could not provide specific details regarding the reasons behind the abrupt closure of the Bundaberg Urgent Care Clinic. “There are ongoing negotiations with the provider of that service,” Ms. Sturgess stated.
In response to the closure, a free phone service called Connect2Care has been established, allowing callers to speak with a registered nurse for their urgent care needs. “If further care is required, such as seeing a GP, we can organize an appointment either with your regular GP or a phone or video consultation with an online GP through that service,” Ms. Sturgess explained.
Additionally, some GP practices in Bundaberg are extending their hours to accommodate extra appointments. The Bundaberg UCC was operated by the Indigenous Wellbeing Centre (IWC), a non-profit Aboriginal-controlled health organization that serves the entire community. The IWC has declined to comment on the closure.
Federal Health Minister Mark Butler informed the ABC that services at the Bundaberg Urgent Care Clinic are expected to resume shortly.
The Australian Medical Association Queensland (AMAQ) has expressed ongoing concerns regarding the viability of the federal government's urgent care clinic program. AMAQ President Nick Yim emphasized that these clinics often duplicate services already provided by GP clinics. “We believe the federal funding for these clinics would be better invested in existing general practices around the state,” Dr. Yim stated.
Sue Hackett shared that she was able to secure a same-day appointment at a GP clinic, but it would come at a cost. “I just want to go to a place where I can get sorted with my medical condition, plus I don’t have to pay,” she expressed, highlighting the challenges many face in accessing affordable healthcare.
Tim Spargo, the owner of the pharmacy located next to the Urgent Care Clinic, emphasized the critical role the clinic has played in the community. He noted that when travellers forgot their chronic condition medications or prescriptions, he could direct them to the UCC for assistance. “In the 11 months that it's been open, it has really served a vital purpose … it has taken that pressure off [emergency departments],” Mr. Spargo stated, expressing the urgent need for such services in the area.
"What's clear is that federal Labor is unable to deliver on their commitments, and the people of Bundaberg and the surrounding district, who desperately need additional services, have been let down," he said. "No matter who you talk to, whether it's the GPs themselves or others, they are just overrun with work, and what should be a godsend is now closed."
In response, Mr Butler reiterated that patients can still receive assistance through the phone line, which will "help ensure the Bundaberg community's urgent care needs continue to be met."
Meanwhile, newly elected Queensland Premier David Crisafulli has pledged an additional half a billion dollars to reduce ramping across the state to below 30 per cent over the next four years. Queensland Health data from April to June this year indicates that 44.7 per cent of patients were not transferred off ambulance stretchers within 30 minutes. This issue is particularly pressing for Bundaberg Hospital, which has been struggling with high demand and limited resources. Crisafulli also promised to recruit 34,200 additional health workers by 2032.](https://c3eeedc15c0611d84c18-6d9497f165d09befa49b878e755ba3c4.ssl.cf4.rackcdn.com/photos/blogs/article-832-1730723697.jpg "Bundaberg Urgent Care Clinic Closes Abruptly, Leaving Patients in Uncertainty")
