Have you ever been at a social event and slowly yet surely started to get sick and tired of it and wanted to go home? Have you ever become so weary of partying around that you simply want to shut out the rest of the world for a couple of days?
This can happen with anyone. This phenomenon is known as social fatigue and it is a very real issue. Social fatigue is a very common experience among people and the triggers for people can vary due to numerous reasons. So, let’s break down what social fatigue is, what triggers it and how it can be resolved.
What is Social Fatigue?
It is primarily the exhaustion of an individual’s capability to socialize. When one is tired of socializing and their social battery gets discharged, they feel overwhelmed by social fatigue. Social battery is the capacity at which an individual can maintain constant socializing. When this battery runs down or wears away, social fatigue sets in.
This social battery varies for individuals and can be determined by factors such as how introverted or extroverted you are, what kind of mental state you are in and what stage of life you are in. For example, one person might be highly extroverted and is looking for love. This person may display a very high social battery which makes it very rare that he experiences social fatigue. On the other end of the spectrum could be a highly introverted child who has only started school. Due to their introverted nature, conversing with people isn’t going to be their forte. This child may feel drained out only after one day at school. Hence, it shows that social fatigue depends on how much a person can interact before getting overwhelmed.
Why does it happen?
Triggers of social fatigue are unique among different individuals. Even if triggers are similar in certain case, each person has their own set limits.
One of the most common triggers includes loud noises. Loud noises cause a lot of physical and psychological stress while interfering with communication and concentration. Constant or prolonged exposure to loud noises can easily cause fatigue. Another factor is emotions. While not necessarily acting as a breaking point it does dictate our social battery which proportionally affects the point of social fatigue. If we are happy then the chance of getting social fatigue is quite low. But, if we aren’t feeling our best, then interacting with people might not feel like the best thing in the world. This way emotions can dictate our limits of social fatigue from one situation to another.
There are certain other factors leading to social fatigue. Let’s analyse a scenario to break down some of these factors. Take a high school party (prom/formal) for example. What could some triggers be? One could be the loud music that could be blasting all the time. Another factor could be people! You may not exactly like everyone at the party. This must have at least once spoiled the mood for you or for someone you know. The final reason may be not having a chance to rest– going from social gatherings to more of them, without having any intervening time for yourself. While engaging with other people is good, you don’t need to do it all the time.
So, we find that Social Fatigue can come in so many ways. But, what to do when we are burned out?
Does it go away?
Social fatigue is real and can happen to any of us, but it isn’t going to mean the end of the world. Like a mist, it can come to cloud your mind but it can be dealt with a firm hand.
First of all, we must understand that spending time by yourself is important to replenish and relax. This is the most effective way of treating social fatigue. Secondly, removing yourself from the situation even momentarily could mean a world of good. Calming down is the best way to sort yourself out before you have to immerse yourself back into the hustle and bustle of wherever you are at. And, the best of all is having a few trustworthy people who might be ready to accompany you to places that might cause social fatigue. There could be nothing better than sharing a stupid joke with a friend at a boring party or hitting the dance floor in slow motion when things are whizzing past you.
Social fatigue is something everyone gives into and depending from person to person everyone can find a solution that works for them.
All in all, sometimes it becomes too burdensome to deal with people and that is completely understandable. We are all human and we all have our limits, even with people. We all have things that can trigger social fatigue and it can vary from person to person since everybody is unique. But, we must remember that social fatigue can be easily alleviated and cured by allowing ourselves some time off in the company we like best, even if it means being alone for a while. So, the next time you feel like pulling your hair out at a wedding your parents forced you to go with, just know that this feeling is completely normal and you are not alone.
Writer : Ethan
Grade : 11 (Year 2024)
Place : Sydney, Australia
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