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Mental Exhaustion: Symptoms and What to Do

In this blog you will discover the symptoms of mental exhaustion and more importantly, how to deal with it.

We all know that feeling of physical exhaustion after a tough workout, where your muscles are screaming for rest. But what about mental exertion?

It’s like juggling thoughts, an art in itself. Sometimes it’s hard to recognize when our minds need a much-needed breather. But just as your body needs rest and recovery after exertion, so does your mind. And when your brain is constantly running at full speed without the necessary downtime, it can result in something many of us can relate to all too well: mental exhaustion.

Directly to:

What is mental exhaustion?
Symptoms of Mental Exhaustion
Triggers for Mental Exhaustion
What to do?
Bonus tip!
Conclusion
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What is mental exhaustion?

Imagine your brain as an overheated laptop that has been running for too long without a break. Mental exhaustion is when that laptop starts to freeze and just doesn’t function properly.

Negative thoughts take over, your concentration lapses, and your memory starts to show gaps. It’s a bit like an old laptop that becomes slow, with freezes and crashes. And if that’s not enough, sudden mood swings can throw your mood off balance.

Mental exhaustion can manifest itself in a variety of symptoms, including:

Headache and muscle pain
Tensions in your body
Sleep problems
Difficulty completing daily tasks
Physical fatigue
Brain fog
Irritability
Doomsday thinking
Persistent feeling of being overwhelmed
Lack of motivation
Feeling of helplessness
Having difficulty making decisions
Procrastination and avoidance behavior
Isolating yourself
Not taking good care of yourself
Indecisiveness

Triggers for Mental Exhaustion

Several factors can lead to mental exhaustion, including:

Internal stressors , such as the need for perfection and unrealistically high expectations for yourself, play a major role here, creating a constant pressure that exhausts your mind.

External stressors: These include a build-up of responsibilities, life changes, insufficient sleep, excessive use of phones, social media, laptops, screens, financial worries, and conflict situations.

Unfortunately, modern Western society provides fertile ground for this spectacle. We are encouraged to always be ‘on’, always available, and to strive for perfection in everything we do. The result? A constant feeling of being ‘too busy’ and a lack of clear boundaries. Think of:

Work pressure : Overload at work, deadlines and a high sense of responsibility.
Personal stressors : Relationship problems, financial worries, and health issues.

What to do?

The good news is that there are steps you can take to prevent and treat mental exhaustion. Here are tips that will help you!

5 tips

Screen time restrictions : It’s no secret that screens dominate our lives. To combat mental exhaustion, try to reduce your screen time. Maybe you want to impose a digital curfew on yourself (you can now simply turn this on in your settings), such as going offline before 10am and after 8pm. Or you can turn off notifications and give yourself some “internet free” moments during the day. It’s amazing how a little distance from the screen can help.

Regular Breathing Breaks : We live in a world where rushing is the norm. Yet, taking short breaks throughout the day to refresh your mind is invaluable. Even a quick five minutes can reset your nervous system. Stand up, stretch, breathe deeply, and sigh. You’ll be amazed at how these mini-breaks can restore your energy.

Self-reflection and setting boundaries : If mental exhaustion is a recurring theme in your life, it’s time to self-reflect. What is your fatigue trying to tell you? Maybe it’s time to tackle your perfectionism, find work you really enjoy, or create more structure in your life. Learn to say “no” and set clear boundaries to protect yourself from over-commitment.

Active relaxation : Relaxation is more than just Netflix and social media. While it can be nice to binge watch a series every now and then, they don’t replenish your energy reserves. Add active relaxation to your routine, like gentle yoga, meditation, breathing exercises, walking at dusk, or simply doing nothing (lounging!). It will help you truly recharge.

Healthy evening routine : A good night's sleep is also super important when you are mentally exhausted. Limit your screen time before bed and create a healthy evening routine of at least 20 minutes. Think of meditation, breathing exercises, reading, stretching, an extensive skincare routine with Dr. Hauschka products or journaling.

Let writing clear your mind, embrace your emotions and take away your worries or plan your next day. A calm mind means better sleep and less chance of mental exhaustion.

Bonus tip: Goldea Health Supplement Mood Control

Sometimes a little extra help is needed to get your mental well-being back on track. If you find that the above tips are not enough, consider the "Mood Control" supplement. This can be a valuable addition during your recovery.

Conclusion

Mental exhaustion is a common problem, but with the right steps and support, you can improve your mental well-being. It is essential to note that mental health is just as important as physical health.

By recognizing the symptoms and taking the right actions, you can effectively manage mental exhaustion and live a healthier, more balanced life.

Do you have any questions or would you like more advice on treating mental exhaustion? Feel free to contact us: Click here for free advice. We are always ready with free personal advice tailored to your needs from our orthomolecular therapist Cynthia.