Habio Blog

How to Overcome Mental Exhaustion and Start Living
Your Life to the Fullest

If you constantly feel tired and overwhelmed, you might be experiencing mental exhaustion. Here is some advice from Habio on how to overcome mental fatigue and cope with stress in your life.
Have you ever been mentally exhausted? It's common to feel burnt out sometimes, emotionally drained, lacking in energy, and having no motivation. Mental exhaustion is real. It can make your problems and responsibilities seem like insurmountable mountains. Irrespective of what triggers this odd feeling, it is never a desirable state to be in.

Mental exhaustion can be caused by severe fatigue and come with other symptoms. The key to managing or eliminating it is to understand its triggers and symptoms. Read on as Habio unravels everything you should know about mental exhaustion, how it affects people, and how you can get rid of it so you can start living the life of your dreams.
a man in glasses with mental exhaustion

What is mental exhaustion?

Although there is no explicit medical diagnosis for mental exhaustion, many experts describe it as synonymous with "burnout." If you always feel overwhelmed or emotionally exhausted, chances are you are stressed out and mentally exhausted.

Exposure to strenuous activity for a long time could result in being mentally fatigued. But there may also be more to it than that. Because stress is a direct trigger for mental exhaustion, understanding the early symptoms may be able to prevent burnout before it becomes unmanageable.

Signs you have a tired brain

Do you feel dizzy, weak, or unable to focus? These are possible signs that your brain is tired. It can happen to anyone, and many of us may have experienced it unknowingly.

Sadly, becoming a couch potato may not resolve the problem. It may even make it worse. Until you address why you always feel burnt out, you may not know why your brain is mentally tired.

So how can you tell if your brain is stressed out and has started launching a series of complaints? Check for these signs:

  • Physical exhaustion
  • Lack of concentration
  • Feeling anxious and stressed
  • Fatigue
  • Laсk of patience
  • Inability to sleep
A tired brain may show signs of exhaustion when it is overused at work, at home, or anywhere you overstress it.
a girl with mental exhaustion sitting on the sofa

Why do you feel mentally exhausted?

Mental exhaustion doesn't just occur out of nowhere. It is the result of a prolonged period of stress that the body undergoes. Note that the triggers can be different from one person to another. For some people, a certain level of stress may be completely manageable, while for others, it could make them emotionally exhausted. Below are some possible reasons why you are mentally tired.

Poor work–life balance

Working long hours each day can cause high stress levels that the body might not be able to control. Do you sometimes feel tired, dizzy, and dazed but continue working for another five hours without stopping? All of these behaviors could make your brain tired.

Stress and anxiety

If you are anxious or feeling stressed out on a regular basis, you may be experiencing mental exhaustion without realizing it. Stress and anxiety can cause mental fatigue if not managed properly. When you are stressed out, it's hard to manage your mood, and a foggy brain is often inevitable when this occurs.

Physical and health problems

We often deal with far more issues each day than we can handle. Trying to juggle between work, pleasure, and family could leave anyone mentally exhausted. Illnesses such as cold and flu could increase the chances of emotional exhaustion.

Burnout

Burnout is the direct result of prolonged stress, which in turn triggers mental exhaustion. This could make you behave strangely, be unable to meet deadlines for tasks assigned, and lose interest in certain activities, even in your hobbies.

Perfectionism

Are you always committed to doing something flawlessly? People who are perfectionists have a high risk of becoming mentally drained. If you wouldn't do anything short of perfection and expect the same from others, you may be on your way to mental exhaustion sooner than you think.

Seven psychological tips to
stop being mentally tired

Being mentally exhausted is not irreversible. There are proven ways to recover from such a state and live a more balanced life. Most of the remedies for mental fatigue will involve making changes to your lifestyle. Although these changes may not be easy, they are the best way to treat mental exhaustion if you want lasting results. Check out these seven tips to stop being mentally drained.
a woman with mental exhaustion standing near office center with people walking around

1. Reduce stress factors

A significant step to eliminating stress is identifying the stress factor. What is making you feel stressed out all the time? If you are overwhelmed by your duties at work or chores at home, consider delegating some tasks or improving your organizational skills to make them easier.

2. Take "me" time

How much time do you have for yourself each day? This is not the time you spend at work. It's time when you have the freedom to do whatever you want. Most people have some kind of obligations with family life, work, or school, and it can be hard to make time for yourself. Remember, it doesn't have to be complicated. Taking time for yourself can be as simple as taking a relaxing bath or mindfully enjoying your morning cup of coffee.

3. Allow yourself time to relax

Take time out of your busy schedule to relax regularly. It doesn't necessarily have to be when you feel emotionally drained. Experts have suggested that adequate rest can lower blood pressure and reduce neurological function disorder.

4. Don't pressure yourself to achieve unrealistic goals

If you have many to-do tasks, try to take them one at a time. Avoid setting unrealistic targets that could make you work until you feel drained and burnt out.

5. Plan your days

Are you trying to reduce your stress levels and avoid being mentally drained? The importance of planning your activities each day cannot be underestimated. It will help you to stay focused and avoid stress and brain overload. It also promotes good organizational skills.
a girl practicing yoga trying to fight her mental exhaustion

6. Take care of your physical health

If you exercise regularly and eat healthily, your body can more easily ward off stress. Meditation and regular exercise can be crucial aspects to living a healthy life. These activities and others that promote a healthy lifestyle could go a long way toward preventing mental exhaustion.

7. Reward yourself for achievements

Learn how to pat yourself on the back each time you achieve a goal you set for yourself. Plan a trip during the weekend, prepare your favorite meal for dinner, go snowboarding, enjoy the outdoors, or toast to your success with friends and family.

Summary

Life may be uncertain for you now. You are not alone. If you are mentally exhausted, you can take control once again and live happily. It's never too late to make a positive change in your life, and the results are well worth the effort. Implement the tips in this guide and watch your life gradually get back on track.

References

  1. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2094526/
  2. https://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/exercising-to-relax
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