Are you exhausted? Just can’t shake that weary feeling? If you’re chronically fatigued, you are not alone. Far from it, in fact.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recently conducted a national study of fatigue, and researchers found that many Americans admit they are worn out.

Nearly three-fourths of people aged 18 and older reported feeling very tired or exhausted at least some days in the past three months. More than 15% said they felt fatigued most or all of the time.

Women report being fatigued more than men, and young adults (age 18-34) are exhausted more than those older than 65. Native Americans are especially fatigued, as are people who live in the South and in rural areas. The poorest Americans report high rates of frequent fatigue.

But don’t be misled by percentages. Frequent fatigue is a presence among many Americans of all descriptions. No matter what your demographics, it’s not a problem to be shrugged off.

The researchers’ definition of being fatigued was people saying they had felt “very tired or exhausted.” Fatigue as defined in the study doesn’t mean just feeling tired after a particularly busy day. It means being exhausted to your core, so that sleeping or resting may not make you feel less weary. That’s soul-deep exhaustion, not just physical.

Exhaustion can, of course, be a symptom of other health problems, or a side effect of medication. That’s far from always being the case, however. People can be overwhelmed by exhaustion simply because of the stresses and strains of everyday life.

It’s also true that fatigue can cause other problems. Depression and anxiety are high on the list. Being frequently exhausted can disrupt your life. You might have trouble concentrating on things or taking care of everyday chores such as paying bills. You might not be performing well at work. You might avoid social interactions, or feel that you’re out of place if you do socialize — or that getting out with others is simply too much trouble.

It’s really not hard to understand why so many Americans are struggling with fatigue. Nearly everything is expensive — medical care, groceries, gas, housing, you name it — and financial worries take a toll. Worries about the future — about our personal lives and about our way of government — are widespread. Disturbing news is unrelenting. Even after the midterm election is over, a respite is unlikely with the nation so deeply divided. Washington will still be in turmoil, and the next presidential election already looms ominously.

The list of worries goes on and on, and with electronic devices always close at hand, those worries tend to be with us constantly.

That all sounds terrible — even reading it may make you feel worse — but there is reason for hope. There are ways we can deal with oppressive fatigue, and they don’t have to involve spending a lot of money or taking medication.

First, give yourself permission to take a break every now and then. If you work or worry to the point of exhaustion, you’re not accomplishing what you want to do anyway. It’s OK to get comfortable and watch something entertaining on TV, read a novel that takes you to another place and time, or just sit still and watch the sun go down. Even better, try some light exercise, or maybe gentle yoga.

Remove yourself from the constant online reminders of everything that’s left you so fatigued. Walk away from the computer. Put the phone down, or at least turn the sound off. Look around you and see what’s in the world you inhabit.

Try taking an unhurried walk. Visit a nearby park or beach. Get out into nature and remind yourself that, in spite of everything, there are still many good things in this world. Taking time to appreciate them can renew your energy.

So if you’re feeling that deep-down exhaustion, carve out time for yourself, take a break from the bad news and maybe even find comfort in knowing you’re not alone.

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