“Fatigue” vs. “fatigability: The importance of language in understanding and treating patients with neurological conditions: There’s a difference between fatigue — defined as individuals’ subjective feeling of weariness or exhaustion — and “fatigability” — the objective decrease in a person’s performance over time, according to a study (pdf) published earlier this year in the Journal of Neuroscience. The study found that the subjective perception of fatigue, not the objective level of physical exertion, is correlated with motor skills: As perceived fatigue increases, motor skills actually improve, and vice versa.That is, participants who reported being more tired during the first test, performed better in the second one.

What does this mean? Mental and motor fatigue cannot be lumped together, chiefly because they are “managed” by different parts of the human brain — and they can often “compete for cerebellar resources,” the study, carried out by Johns Hopkins University researchers, shows. While the findings are limited, they offer insight into how the body regulates itself when tired: Better motor control when experiencing more fatigue could mean that the body is defending itself against potential harm or threats.

50 shades of tired and how to overcome them. Researchers say that when experiencing fatigue, it is recommended to avoid certain activities like learning new information and instead engaging in “pacing” strategies — or ways to conserve your energy — and simply taking a break.


The side hustle: Gen Z proves it’s not a lazy generation: Around 40% of Gen Z workers are taking on more than one job, as they look to increase their income streams and work on more passion projects, a survey by Kantar found. A combination of hybrid working, generational shifts, and an uncertain economy have the younger generation hungry for a more fulfilling career, according to the BBC.

It’s not just about money, though: While Gen Z employees are currently at the beginning of their professional careers — which means their career paths are far from set in stone, and their income levels are likely at the lower end of the spectrum — many young workers are taking on side jobs as a means of personal growth and skills development, the BBC notes. “Passion projects mean those at the beginning of their careers can explore and test interests and ideas beyond the dominant pathway of their career trajectory – they serve as a way for young people to find value,” a Carnegie Mellon University assistant teaching professor said.

The changing world of work is more accommodating: Work structures have seen several changes over the past few years, which include employers becoming increasingly accepting of their workers' side hustles and the benefits they bring — including employees acquiring experiences and deepening skills set to reinvest in their daily jobs.