José Manuel Felices, doctor: “We are living through a pandemic of fatigue, anxiety, and stress”
The radiologist speaks to AS after the publication of his book ‘X-ray of a healthy life: discover the science behind health and happiness’.
We live in a society that has normalized constant exhaustion, ongoing stress, and the feeling of never having enough time for everything. Dr. José Manuel Felices calls it plainly “the pandemic of fatigue,” a phenomenon that, far from being inevitable, is closely tied to how we respond to external demands and the messages we consume every day.
“We are living through a pandemic of fatigue, anxiety, stress, and the feeling of constantly carrying too much,” the physician says in a conversation with AS, pointing directly to the invisible pressure that has settled into daily life.
According to Felices, much of that pressure comes from overexposure to messages about how we should live, take care of ourselves, or perform. “We are overwhelmed by the sheer volume of messages on social media,” the author explains.
The problem is not only the information itself but also its emotional impact. Constant comparison and the accumulation of advice often lead to a persistent sense of failure: “You feel overwhelmed, you think, ‘My goodness, I can’t keep up with everything, this is impossible,’ and in the end it creates rejection.”
Universal advice
One of the most common mistakes, Felices notes, is assuming that all of this advice applies equally to everyone. Instead of the idea of universal habits, he proposes a far more individualized approach to health.
“Not every recommendation works for everyone, and not every recommendation is what I personally need,” he explains, using a clear metaphor: “Just as we do not wear a one-size-fits-all suit on our wedding day but a tailored suit, why don’t we do the same with the habits we practice every day?”
This excessive level of self-demand often turns into chronic stress, a condition that has direct effects on the body. “Stress affects every system in the body,” he warns. The main driver is cortisol, the stress hormone, which serves an important function but becomes harmful when it remains elevated for too long. “The problem arises when [cortisol] appears in excess and lasts longer than it should, because it negatively affects all organs and body systems.”
For Felices, one of the keys is changing the mindset: stop doing things out of obligation and start doing them for enjoyment. “It’s important to forget the idea of ‘I must’ and start doing things because we truly enjoy them and because they are good for us,” he says. Otherwise, he asks, “What’s the point of following a set of habits strictly if we’re not enjoying them? What’s the point of the path if we haven’t enjoyed the journey?”
His final message is a call to regain personal control. “This fatigue is not because we have too many things to do, but because they are imposed on us, or at least they seem to be,” he concludes. Instead, he recommends stepping back and taking ownership of the decisions we make in our daily lives, an attitude that, he argues, not only reduces stress but also brings us closer to a healthier and happier life.
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