In this week’s column, Jamar Tejada explains what the feared but common mental fatigue is, comments on its stimulators and gives advice to relieve mental fatigue
The end of the year is approaching and I don’t know if it’s just me, but it feels like this year has just begun and is already coming to an end. It seems that time has become shorter and tiredness and mental stress have increased. The Covid-19 pandemic has also played its part in this stress problem, so much so that the World Health Organization (WHO) has highlighted that 60% of the world’s population suffers from pandemic fatigue. Therefore, we become unaccustomed to relaxation.
2023 has been a year where I get to the end of the day and only think about my bed when I have time to get there, since I have lost the number of times I turned over on the sofa. And this was not an exclusive event for me, the vast majority feel like this, exhausted!
The problem is that even though we know that mental fatigue should be avoided, we really can’t escape this situation. Our brains seem to always be on alert, whether at home, at work or even when “chilling” with friends on the street. Even in our free time we keep our eyes open to everything that happens, for example out of fear of being robbed. It’s hard to escape tiredness, isn’t it?
Memory lapses, constant bad mood, headaches and muscle pain, cardiovascular problems, depression, decreased libido, loss of hunger or constant hunger, insomnia or fragmented sleep, or excessive sleep and even diabetes are some of the responses to this climate of constant tension. , as the body and mind are connected and need each other for energy, motivation and self-esteem.
What is mental fatigue?
Mental fatigue is a state of brain fatigue that depletes the energy intended for daily activities, in which we feel that we have exceeded our limits and no longer have mental or emotional resources to face challenges. It can even be normal when we carry out tasks that require our extreme dedication and concentration, such as a test, a job interview, a work presentation, that conversation about the end of a relationship, etc. It would be strange if you went through one of these situations without getting tired! When we can deal with these situations and recover, everything is fine, but maintaining brain fatigue and having this as a model will lead to mental and physical illnesses.
Even if we are convinced that mental fatigue is almost always a consequence of overwork – which is true – there are other ways that damage us just as much and that we often don’t even notice. And what are they?
Bombardment of stimuli and information
Imagine that in addition to the load of daily responsibilities, at work or even at home, or even in your personal needs, you are connected to social networks or even to the TV with an avalanche of information and stimuli. There is no way to recharge the energy unless you turn off the “starter”.
Extension of work
While working from home has been beneficial, in most cases, it ends up breaking the barrier between your personal life and work and often makes you give up personal activities in favor of productivity. This lack of breaks tends to deplete mental resources, which leads to even lower productivity and greater fatigue. A blow to the foot.
Excessive screens
It goes without saying that this dependence on screens, be they smartphones, notebooks or tablets, has become a necessity – or a habit? It seems we must be eternally connected to the world. This generates mental exhaustion and an accumulation of information and images that cost dearly.
Mental and emotional disorders
Anxiety, depression and panic syndrome are disorders that unbalance the central nervous system, causing mental fatigue. And the opposite also happens. An individual with panic syndrome, for example, will avoid contact with others, which will harm his work, personal life, etc. The answer is more mental fatigue. Burnout can be defined as a generalized exhaustion, linked to excessive work and the patient’s depersonalization.
Worry overload
It is natural to worry about new situations or threats to the world, however, suffering from these thoughts on a recurring basis is a reason to trigger the alarm signal. Excessive fear, as well as worry, leads to a decline in mood and energy, resulting in mental fatigue.
Difference between physical and mental tiredness
While physical fatigue manifests itself with a strenuous physical task that is generally recovered with rest or even a good night’s sleep, mental fatigue appears with activities that require mental or emotional effort and can, as I said, include physical symptoms.
Unlike physical fatigue, mental fatigue only improves when we disconnect from worries or when our brain slows down our thoughts, and therefore slows down the work of our neurons.
Trying to reduce the impact of mental fatigue, some herbal medicines can help you a lot, but even with this extra help, you need to review some habits. To improve fatigue, I can say that it is more about abandoning some old habits than incorporating new ones. To learn more about herbal medicines that curb the negative effects of stress on the body, .
Fundamental tips to relieve and prevent brain fatigue
The much talked about and studied practice of physical exercise continues to be one of the best decisions to make to improve your mental fatigue. The caloric expenditure linked to muscular work can be in sync with our worry and our expenditure linked to our mental concentration. This makes this balance more balanced.
Furthermore, with physical exercise, we release endorphins which are linked to a feeling of well-being, reducing stress and even pain. Check out the tips:
• While carrying out a task, do not interrupt it with messages and emails. Be proactive and complete what you have proposed.
• Even if you think no one will do the work, delegate tasks. You’ll have less work and more time to focus on one thing at a time.
• It is important to slow down your pace. Don’t focus on so many tasks. You are not responsible for everything. Going slower allows you to observe the route more closely and not miss the view.
• Tackle the most important tasks first, one at a time. One step at a time means less overhead.
• Blocked? Feeling stuck completing a task? Try to keep an open mind, give yourself a “pause” in the present moment, observe your surroundings and breathe. Have tea, coffee, talk to colleagues, friends and come back with a new perspective. But don’t move on to the next task. Give yourself a chance and finish it off with a new look.
• Meditation will always be one of the most recommended activities, activating endorphins for the mind, reducing stress, improving sleep, reducing pain, improving self-esteem and depression. Furthermore, meditation awakens a new perspective on the problem, making the monster not so difficult to defeat.
• And finally, but perhaps the most important advice: if you think you can’t do it, if you think that effort is the only way down the mountain, seek specialized professional help. Recognizing the signs that your mental health isn’t doing well is the first step to improving it.
Source: Terra
Ben Stock is a lifestyle journalist and author at Gossipify. He writes about topics such as health, wellness, travel, food and home decor. He provides practical advice and inspiration to improve well-being, keeps readers up to date with latest lifestyle news and trends, known for his engaging writing style, in-depth analysis and unique perspectives.
