A major problem occurs in that most people do not distinguish between hypotonic and hypertonic fatigue. The person who has done a hard day of physical labor easily falls asleep with hypotonic fatigue. The sleep of a laboring man is sweet. The educated person whose work is primarily mental, especially that involving decision making and emotional stress, feels equally tired, but his muscles are tense and sleep does not come easily. His primary need is not sleep, but physical exercise to work off the nervous tension.
Hypertonic fatigue can become chronic, and chronically fatigued people perform less efficiently.
Such people cannot think clearly and soon feel irritable and use poor judgment. As they fall behind in their work, the tendency is to substitute long hours for the inability to perform. While the stresses of modern society cannot be avoided entirely, we can help counteract, slow, or lessen their effects. Physical activity that causes the muscles to relax is a tranquilizer that brings rest, sleep, and recuperation. Those who are physically fit and rested can think more clearly and complete more work in less time than those who are not.