Emotional and mental exhaustion can have devastating effects on a person’s life, and their health. These warning signs are screaming that it’s time for a break.
As humans, we tend to have a bit more difficulty in life than, say, a house cat. We have responsibilities and bills, deadlines and errands, and while these are things that need to be done, they can certainly take a toll on our stress levels. In turn, our emotional and mental states are affected.
Additionally, when we are stressed we tend to neglect our basic needs. Poor diet and lack of sleep contributes to unstable emotions, and what people like Stephen Buckley call “brain fog.”
Buckley is the head of information at Mind, a mental health charity, and states, “Unmanageable stress affects us all in different ways, but there are signs to look out for: feeling irritated, finding it hard to sleep or struggling to concentrate.
“You may feel really upset and emotional, or feel like crying. Severe stress can affect your blood pressure too.”
Here are 6 telltale signs that you are emotionally and mentally exhausted:
1. Fatigue
There is a huge difference between being tired, and feeling like you are never not tired. The smallest things seem 10 times heavier to carry, getting out of bed is beyond a task, and you can’t remember the last time you had energy to do something fun.
This usually happens because we live fast-paced lifestyles and never give ourselves enough time to fully recharge. Remember that the greatest thing you have is your health, and making time for yourself is of the utmost importance.
2. Irritation
It could be the way someone said something, the dog being in your way, or even something as silly as the wind blowing. Whatever it is, it’s irritating you.
“You might find that your first clues about being stressed and irritated are physical signs, such as tiredness, headaches or an upset stomach,” says Stephen Buckley. When you start to notice these signs, it’s a good idea to take a time out and give yourself some space to breathe.
3. Crying
There is absolutely nothing wrong with crying- it is a healthy way to release emotions. However, a lot of us are raised to keep those emotions in check and never to allow ourselves to cry. This lack of emotional understanding in children leads to adults who are unable to properly process their feelings in a healthy way.
So what happens when a person reaches the point where they have an unbearable level of stress, and emotionally breaks? They cry. And because of the feelings associated with crying (guilt/anger/shame), the stress increases and the spiral continues.
First of all, allow yourself to cry. Then, allow yourself to let go of whatever got you to that point in the first place.
4. Apathy
Apathy in its simplest form, means lack of feeling. Essentially, it is being numb in an emotional capacity.
It’s losing the fundamental hope that personal happiness or fulfillment is possible.
Maybe you feel so worn down by tedious daily routines that it seems there’s nothing to look forward to. Or perhaps you were faced with some sort of rejection, or failed to reach an important goal.
Regardless of what it is that brought you to an apathetic existence, it is entirely possible to reverse it and get your spark back. The most important thing is to get yourself unstuck from the type of thinking that landed you there in the first place.
5. Confusion
When the little things start to feel like big things, it might be time to reevaluate your emotional and mental well-being.
Forgetting names, work assignments, and even your own age is a neon sign you are under enormous mental strain. Your brain is trying to tell you that it’s time for a break. Too much is going on, and your body can’t handle the stress.
6. Anxiety
A phone call, a knock on the door, the possibility that someone might ask you to do something, and actually having to do something- all of these things can instantly cause anxiety if you are emotionally and mentally exhausted. If your thoughts are overrun with dread and anxiety, and your heart races whenever you contemplate how far you have to go, remember how far you’ve already come. Instead of focusing on what’s in the distance, look at where you are and where you started.
Emotional and mental exhaustion can happen to anyone, and if it happens to you, listen to your body and take care of yourself.
Give yourself the importance you deserve. If you have to, schedule time for yourself every day and devote it to you.
