The cognitive equivalent would be experiencing chronic stress over an extended period of time.
If there isn’t any recovery time, your brain hits a wall and your intellectual capacities tire out.
If you’ve been feeling stressed and inexplicably worn down lately, you may be mentally exhausted.
Here’s everything you oughta know about mental exhaustion.
What is mental exhaustion?
Symptoms of mental exhaustion.
As stressors accumulate with limited relief, it may cause mysterious bodily ailments that seemingly come out of nowhere.
Don’t be so quick to disregard it for just plain apathy.
“Mental exhaustion can negatively influence your thinking patterns and mental processes,” Assar says.
If you’re becoming quick-tempered and snappier more often, you’re probably emotionally drained.
Other behavioral signs include:
How is it different from other mental health struggles?
According to Assar, mental exhaustion can be challenging to identify since it progresses so gradually.
However, Assar says, mental exhaustion is an overwhelming feeling with limited opportunities for relief.
Mental exhaustion consists of feeling cognitively overworked.
On the other hand, anxiety is a normal response to triggers and stress.
If it’s pervasive, it may also show up as an anxiety disorder.
Mental exhaustion is a symptom that can come and go."
What can cause mental exhaustion?
6 tips for managing mental exhaustion:
Limit use of social media and screen time.
“Your mind is constantly taking in content that is either stimulating or negative.
Taking a break from the never-ending content and screen time will help regulate your neurotransmitters and reduce stress.
Engage in a nightly routine and get good-quality sleep.
Take intentional and relaxing breaks throughout the day.
Engage in daily self-care.
These refreshing activities can boostgood chemicalsin your body, which helps alleviate symptoms.
Cross items off your to-do list.
Reduce the stressors.
“Work on reducing draining activities and increasing refueling activities.
It’s important to replace what is exhausting you with fuel that energizes you.”
If you’re looking for more immediate results, removing the stressor will offer the most relief.
It’s easier said than done, but it will help with your health in the long run.
By changing your response to stress positively, you’re able to experience more relief.
Set aside mindful time whenever you’re able to to cultivate stillness and breathe into the present moment.
All of thesemicro-momentseventually add up.
When to seek extra help.
If a loved one is experiencing mental exhaustion, she encourages being a reassuring presence for them.
The takeaway.
Although it’s easy to wave away mental exhaustion in the moment, it can have debilitating long-term effects.
