Got the end of year 'sleepies'

 It is getting really close to the end of year so I should be feeling pretty excited and full of pre-Xmas holiday perkiness. However, I seem to be in a constant state of unmotivated tiredness. I now think that exhaustion is an over-simplified state of being. Sure, many of us often complain about being tired or stressed but we are seldom encouraged to explore the nuances and subtle differences in types of 'tiredness'. With so much tiredness going on at this time of year, let us all take some time to reflect on the variety and range of the 'sleepies'.

Readers: feel free to add to the list or comment on your favourite kind of exhaustion and recommended cures.

1. The post-exercise exhaustion - one of the more pleasant types of sleepies. You have just exerted your body and parts of it ache in a good 'Hey, wow! I have muscles in that place' way. Often accompanied with deep breathing, sweating and the thirsties. Recommended treatment: a big glass of cold water, refreshing shower and relaxing stretching.

2. Stinging eyes exhaustion - You're tired from a long day and your eyes feel like they have had lemon juice squirted in them and then have been sandpapered dry. Often occurs at the end of a day at work in front of the computer or in harsh lighting. Recommended treatment: Optrex eye drops or a cold tea bag on the eyes, accompanied with some serious lying down.

3. Mysterious aches and pains exhaustion - You're so tired that your body starts to hurt for no apparent reason. Frequently achey body parts include back, feet , arms and legs. Recommended cure: long, hot bath with bubbles and/or nice smelling bath product, wine, quiet evening spent reading followed by an early night, milky or chocolatey drinks.

4. Headache exhaustion - You are so tired and that your head is throbbing. Often happens after a long or hard day of work, especially when you have not had enough lunchables or caffeine to sustain you throughout the day. Sometimes accompanied with cravings for junk food or chocolate. Recommended treatment: lots of delicious food, nurofen or similar, rest and relaxation.

5. Stressed exhaustion - You are tired and have been working hard but you have had to come home knowing that some unpleasant problem or mountain of work is still lurking back at work waiting to ambush you the following morning. It is hard to relax when you are aware of something unpleasant looming ahead. Recommended treatment: exercise/elaborate cocktail/bath your way to temporarily forgetting your troubles. Stroking a friendly feline or doing something fun to take your mind off things. If all else fails repeat the Debz Mantra of work stress avoidance. "It doesn't matter. Work is silly. If I get fired, I can stay at home and not go to work anymore."

6. Seething, bitter anger exhaustion - You have one of those days. Someone you work with, generally a management type*, has done something to really annoy you. They simply don't understand or appreciate the fact that you are tired from working hard and the last thing you need is some obnoxious blighter making your life harder than it needs to be. Recommended treatment: complaining to a sympathetic colleague (although this can turn into a drawnout 'slagging off the boss' conversation - fun but time-consuming), relaxing fun, punching bags and a nice walk in the sunny fresh air.

* For teachers, it can also be the students. Mangement and teenagers have the following aspects in common: 1) they often make unpractical and irrational decisions, 2) they are snide and rude, 3) you are not allowed to tell them they are smegheads who should die horribly.