What is mental exhaustion?
Mental exhaustion can be caused by high levels of long-term stress. According to Healthline, this can be brought on by things such as financial struggles, high-pressure jobs, being a caregiver, living with a chronic illness, having a baby or the loss of a loved one (among others). The symptoms of mental exhaustion are numerous and can affect you physically, emotionally and behaviourally. Often, those around you tend to notice some of the changes before you do.
What are some of the physical, emotional and behavioural symptoms?
Physical symptoms: headache, upset stomach, changes in appetite, sleep pattern and weight.
Emotional symptoms: feeling apathetic, cynical, angry, detached and depressed.
Behavioural symptoms: poor performance at work, inability to follow through, social withdrawal.
It is important to note that these are not all of the symptoms of mental exhaustion as it can affect you in various, numerous ways.
How can you overcome mental exhaustion and feed your soul:
1. If you can, remove the stressor
Admittedly, it is not always possible to remove the stressor as some things tend to be entirely out of your control. If it is in your control, however, it is best to remove what is causing you stress as this will be the surest way of decreasing your stress levels and thus, your mental exhaustion.
2. Practice self-care
Here, self-care refers to exercising, practicing relaxation techniques and getting sufficient sleep. Taking up yoga, meditation, tai chi and other similar things can help decrease your levels of stress. Moreover, it is important that you carve out time and space for yourself at least once a week where you can reconnect with friends or family.
3. Keep a gratitude journal
It is easy to become overwhelmed by negative thoughts and feelings. It is vital that you find ways to remind yourself of all of the positive things in your life: your friends, family, pets, and all the little things. One way of doing this is by keeping a gratitude journal where you document the things you are grateful for on a daily basis.
4. Learn how to say ‘no’
When you are already stressed and overwhelmed, it is difficult to take on more work. Sometimes, no matter how much you want to help somebody out, you might have to say no in order to protect your wellbeing and avoid breaking down completely.
5. Start doing more of what makes you happy
Try to surround yourself with the people you love and do things that you enjoy. It is important to find time for things that do not drain and overwhelm you but make you feel energized, satisfied and fulfilled.
While all of these are viable ways of dealing with mental exhaustion, if you find that your symptoms cannot be treated through these methods, it it necessary that you turn to a mental health doctor who will help you find alternative ways more suitable to you.