Mental fatigue. Burnout. Exhaustion. Different phrases all describing the end result of pushing your body and mind too far. It’s a pervasive idea in today’s society that if you’re not hustling then you’re lazy, but it’s this exact mindset that can put your health at risk—particularly if you’re ignoring the signs your body is trying to send you.
SIGNS YOU MAY BE MENTALLY FATIGUED:
- Emotional instability
- Mood changes
- Feeling overwhelmed
- Exhaustion
- Difficulty concentrating
- Difficulty making decisions
THREE METHODS FOR BEATING MENTAL FATIGUE:
1. RECLAIMING YOUR POWER
Once you’ve identified that you may be struggling with mental fatigue, it’s time to take back your power. Asserting boundaries and taking a good, hard look at your schedule and what you need to be doing each day can help you take a step back and find the rest you need. Identifying tasks in your day that are either depleting or nourishing and labelling them as such, as well as seeing where you can sprinkle in more nourishing tasks in between the depleting ones is one method for getting intentional in your own life and lowering the risk of fatigue.
If you’re finding joy in your day, this will lift your spirits, which can make a profound difference in energy levels. Oftentimes we feel run down by our schedules or diet, so taking back our power and adding our own input into our day can catapult us into having more motivation, more mental energy, and even bringing down some of our mental fatigue.
2. PRIORITISING SELF-CARE
Self-care can look different from person to person, but it’s essential for reducing fatigue and rejuvenating the mind. One self-care step could be a good night’s sleep or going for a walk outside or eating three balanced meals during your day. There are various ways that we can exercise self-care, and I always like to say schedule it like a meeting with yourself that you cannot cancel.
If you really want to stop mental fatigue, you need to put yourself first, and this comes from listening to your body and what it’s telling you it needs. Whether that be a face mask, a balanced meal, or a night with friends, you know what’s going to help recharge your battery the best.
3. SEEKING HELP WHEN NEEDED
Your mental health is so intricately tied to fatigue, so staying aware of symptoms and seeking support when needed can make a world of difference. Mental fatigue can sometimes be masked as depression or anxiety or another mental health condition.