The holidays are a busy, emotional, and often exhausting time of year. Between travel, family gatherings, late nights, richer foods, and cold winter weather, it’s completely normal to feel run down once January arrives.
But what if that tiredness doesn’t go away?
Or what if it feels deeper than the usual post-holiday slump?
While fatigue is often your body asking for rest, it can also be an early warning sign of an underlying lung or heart issue. Knowing when to brush it off, and when to pay closer attention, can make a real difference to your long-term health.
At Advanced Respiratory Care Network, we help Albertans understand what their symptoms may be telling them and connect them with respiratory and cardiac care when it matters most.
Why Do We Feel So Tired After the Holidays?
January fatigue is incredibly common, especially in colder climates like Alberta. Some of the most common contributors include:
- Disrupted sleep schedules and late nights
- Increased stress or emotional exhaustion
- Less physical activity during winter
- Heavier meals and changes in routine
- Cold, dry air that makes breathing feel more effortful
- Reduced daylight hours, which can affect energy and mood
For most people, energy levels slowly improve as routines settle.
But when fatigue feels excessive, persistent, or starts interfering with daily life, especially when paired with breathing or heart-related symptoms, it’s worth taking seriously.
When Fatigue May Be Linked to a Lung Issue
Your lungs play a key role in delivering oxygen throughout your body. When they aren’t working as efficiently as they should, your body has to work harder to meet basic demands, and that can leave you feeling unusually tired.
Lung-related signs to watch for include:
- Shortness of breath during everyday activities
- A cough that lingers weeks after a cold or flu
- Chest tightness, wheezing, or noisy breathing
- Difficulty taking a deep breath
- Reduced exercise tolerance
- Fatigue that worsens with physical activity
Conditions such as asthma, COPD, post-viral airway inflammation, or chronic lung disease can all contribute to ongoing fatigue, even if symptoms feel mild at first.
At ARC Network, we provide full respiratory diagnostics, including pulmonary function testing (PFTs) and oxygen assessments help identify whether your lungs are contributing to how you’re feeling.
Book a Respiratory Consultation Today
Related: RSV, Flu, or COVID: A Parent’s Guide to Respiratory Illnesses in Children
When Fatigue Can Signal a Heart Concern
Your heart and lungs work closely together. If the heart can’t pump efficiently, fluid may back up into the lungs, making breathing more difficult and leaving you feeling tired, weak, or foggy.
According to Mayo Clinic guidance, heart-related fatigue may be accompanied by signs such as swelling in the legs, shortness of breath, rapid heartbeat, or chest discomfort.
Heart-related warning signs can include:
- Fatigue that doesn’t improve with rest
- Shortness of breath, especially when lying flat
- Chest pressure, heaviness, or discomfort
- Irregular or rapid heartbeat
- Swelling in the ankles, feet, or legs
- Trouble concentrating or reduced alertness
If these symptoms appear suddenly, worsen, or feel unfamiliar, prompt medical evaluation is important.
Why Winter Makes Lung and Heart Symptoms Worse
Winter conditions in Alberta can place extra strain on both the lungs and the heart — even in people who are otherwise healthy.
Cold, dry air can irritate airways and cause tightening, while winter routines often mean less movement and more time indoors. Add seasonal viruses and poorer indoor air quality, and underlying issues may become more noticeable.
Winter factors that can worsen fatigue include:
- Cold air triggering airway constriction
- Dry indoor air irritating the lungs
- Higher rates of respiratory infections (cold, flu, RSV)
- Increased physical effort during outdoor activities like shovelling
- Winter air quality issues from pollution or temperature inversions
Keep Reading: 5 Signs It’s Time for a Lung Health Check
When Is Fatigue a Red Flag?
Consider booking a medical assessment if your fatigue is accompanied by:
- Shortness of breath or breathlessness
- Chest discomfort or pressure
- A cough that isn’t improving
- Wheezing or tightness in the chest
- Swelling in the legs or abdomen
- Dizziness, light-headedness, or fainting
- Fatigue lasting longer than 2–3 weeks
These symptoms can be early signs of respiratory illness, asthma, COPD, heart rhythm issues, or heart failure, all of which benefit from early evaluation.
Read More: Feeling the Winter Blues? Here’s How to Cope This Season in Alberta
How Advanced Respiratory Care Network Can Help
ARC Network provides integrated respiratory and cardiac diagnostics across Alberta, helping patients get clarity, not guesswork.
Our services include:
- Respiratory diagnostics and pulmonary function testing
- Cardiology consultations and cardiac screening
- Home and travel oxygen services
- Sleep studies and CPAP support
- Education, prevention, and long-term care plans
Whether you’re recovering from winter illness, managing chronic fatigue, or noticing changes in your breathing or heart health, our team is here to support you.
6 Practical Ways to Protect Your Heart and Lungs This Winter
Small habits can make a big difference:
- Pay attention to persistent symptoms — don’t ignore fatigue that feels unusual
- Monitor air quality using Alberta’s AQHI, especially on poor-air days
- Stay gently active indoors to support circulation and lung capacity
- Improve indoor air quality with HEPA filters and proper humidity (30–50%)
- Dress for the cold, covering your mouth and nose outdoors
- Prioritize sleep and hydration, both essential for cardiopulmonary health
Related: How to Read Alberta’s Air Quality Health Index (AQHI)
When in Doubt, Get Checked
Fatigue may seem harmless, but it’s one of the body’s earliest alert systems. Getting clarity now can help you avoid worsening symptoms later.
If you’re unsure whether your tiredness is due to seasonal changes, or something more serious, the ARC Network team can help you find answers.
Book a Heart or Lung Consultation Today