Do you often struggle with getting enough sleep at night or getting out of bed not feeling rested? If yes, you might be suffering from brain drain or mental exhaustion.
Just like physical activity, long periods of mental activity can also wear you out. A condition where you feel constantly tired, mental exhaustion can be triggered by stress at work, long hours of social interactions, mental health symptoms, or even the constant exposure to violence on the news.
It is not uncommon to feel mentally exhausted from time to time. In fact, mental exhaustion is vast spread across the country, and around 75 percent of workers report similar feelings.
However, frequently feeling brain drained can become challenging as it affects your ability to think, process emotions, and solve problems, eventually resulting in difficulties in daily life and your relationships.
The good news is that there are several ways to overcome mental exhaustion. Here are four brain-draining activities, how they can affect your health, and ways to manage and prevent them.
1. Multitasking
Everyone tends to multitask at least a few times in their life. However, the commitments associated with each task, like details, schedules, and challenges, can wear you out mentally.
If you have a lot of responsibilities to manage, a full-time job, a freelance business, and a training program, learn how to prioritize. Instead of tackling everything at once, sort the responsibilities based on what’s urgent and what’s not. By focusing on one thing at a time, you will not only avoid brain drain but also be able to produce better results.
2. Technology
Tech burnout is real—excessive use of technology can lead to extreme exhaustion and stress. Activities like checking your email every few minutes, responding to texts immediately, and surfing social media continuously for hours result in your brain having to process all the information, which can be overwhelming.
Try to reduce your tech usage as much as possible. For instance, schedule a time to check your email or respond to texts every day. Use an app that helps track and limit social media usage. Also, try to make your weekends technology-free or at least limited.
3. Stress
Stress can lead to many mental and physical health issues, including mental fatigue. While it is hard to always find and eliminate stress triggers, try to steer clear of things that lead to stress whenever possible.
Do you find your work responsibilities taking a toll on your mental health? Ask your supervisor or co-worker to help with a few tasks. Do household responsibilities leave you mentally exhausted? Ask your friends or family members to lend a hand.
Regular physical activity can also boost your energy levels and brain functions, helping you have a positive outlook on life. You don’t have to incorporate a complex workout routine into your everyday life. Simple things like a brisk morning walk or light stretching exercises before bed can make a huge difference in your mood and help you feel more relaxed.
Furthermore, stressful situations can lead to severe issues like substance misuse. If you find yourself resorting to an addiction like drugs, or alcohol, it is essential you take the necessary step to overcome it. The ideal ways include:
- Meditation.
- Creating a support network.
- Visiting a drug rehab treatment center in Coral Springs or an area near you.
4. Decision-Making
Decision fatigue is a phenomenon that can affect your ability to make decisions. Also called ego depletion, the theory states that a human’s decision-making ability worsens with every decision, as it leads to mental fatigue. Whether large, small, or difficult, all decisions can contribute to brain drain.
If you are in a position where you are responsible for making numerous decisions throughout the day, sooner or later, you will suffer from decision fatigue.
A few steps to combat this include making the most important decisions early in the day, removing distractions like mobile phones, television, etc., and taking short breaks throughout the day.
Mental Exhaustion isn’t Forever
Mental exhaustion is challenging. When left untreated, it can significantly impact your mind and body, eventually affecting your quality of life. However, mental fatigue isn’t forever. Taking the right steps can give yourself a break and fight off brain drain. If you are experiencing extreme mental exhaustion symptoms and cannot manage them on your own, make sure you talk to a therapist to figure out coping strategies.
Featured Image by Sam Williams from Pixabay
