Majority of Americans are tired all the time - and Gen Z women most of all, CDC study finds

Nearly three-quarters of Americans are fatigued and some are feeling it more than others, according to a new analysis of federal data.

More than 16 percent of 27,000 U.S. adults said they felt exhausted or very tired “most days” or “every day.” Gen Z and millennials reported these feelings more than other age groups, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said this month.

Overall, women were more likely to report frequent fatigue, with 20 percent saying they lived with the conditions compared to 13 percent of men. The highest levels of fatigue were among women aged 18–34 years.

“Frequent fatigue symptoms may interfere with everyday activities in work and personal life,” said the CDC on the findings from the 2024 survey.

More than a third of adults who experienced frequent fatigue reported limitations in their jobs, the analysis also found.

Frequent fatigue was tied to a higher likelihood of depression and anxiety. These mental health conditions affect an estimated 44 million American adults and interfere in professional and personal relationships. Adults with frequent fatigue were more than triple as likely to have symptoms of depression and double as likely to have anxiety symptoms or cognitive difficulties as other adults in the data.

But while symptoms of fatigue can be associated with depression and anxiety, it may not be linked to a specific medical condition.

Multiple factors can trigger fatigue, including poor fitness and diet. Not getting the recommended 7-9 hours of sleep a night for adults, and using drugs and alcohol, also have impacts.

Unfortunately, fatigue isn’t just feeling tired, too. It persists regardless of the additional sleep or rest people get, impacting focus, energy, motivation and attitude, according to the Cleveland Clinic.

But doctors say there are several simple ways for people suffering from frequent fatigue to manage these symptoms.

Getting more sleep by abstaining from drinking caffeinated beverages around six hours before bed, exercising regularly with 150 minutes of aerobic fitness and two strength training sessions and spending time outdoors and on stress-relieving mindful practices like meditation can all help contribute to optimal health.