We are all exhausted

Wless than two months left of what has been yet another challenging year, it is expected that even the most hard-working of us are physically and mentally exhausted.

‘End of year exhaustion or burnout is the result of physical, emotional and psychological exhaustion, and is often accompanied by feelings of helplessness, being unmotivated and hopeless in every area of life’.

Signs That You’re Exhausted (Not Just Tired)

ITH YOU’RE ANGRY OR IMPATIENT

Mental fatigue can put you in a bad mood. You may be short-tempered or irritated, snapping at people more often. It’s harder to control your emotions when you’re mentally tapped out.

YOU CAN’T GET WORK DONE

Everyone’s productivity goes up and down. But mental exhaustion can make it really hard to concentrate. It also saps your motivation. You might get distracted easily or start to miss deadlines. Even small tasks may seem overwhelming.

YOU ZONE OUT/LOSE CONCENTRATION

This can look like mind wandering or drowsiness. It makes it hard to pay close attention to what you’re doing, and you may not react to things very fast. That can be dangerous in certain situations, such as driving. Mental fatigue is linked to car wrecks.

YOU DON’T SLEEP WELL

You might think it’d be easier to snooze when your brain is tired. But that’s not always the case. A lack of shut-eye can make mental fatigue worse. Tell your doctor if you can’t sleep or get really tired during the day. Treatment can help.

YOU DO UNHEALTHY THINGS

You may start to drink or use drugs more than normal. Mental fatigue can take an even harder toll on those who already have a substance use disorder. Experts think that’s because drug addiction changes parts of the brain that help you manage stress and control impulsive behaviour.

YOU’RE DEPRESSED

You may not have any energy or feel like you’re moving in slow motion. Some people say they feel numb. That can make it hard to finish things at work or do daily activities. Tell your doctor if you have really low feelings or a sense of hopelessness for longer than two weeks. That can be a sign of depression which is more serious.

YOU WORRY A LOT

Mental fatigue triggers your sympathetic nervous system. That’s your ‘fight or flight’ mode. Anxiety is an alarm that tells you something is wrong. If you’re always mentally exhausted, you might start to feel panicked or worried all the time. That often happens alongside symptoms of depression.

EXERCISE FEELS HARDER

Experts aren’t sure why mental fatigue affects physical activity. Some think your tolerance for exercise might go down. So it may seem like you’re putting in more effort than you really are.

YOUR EATING HABITS CHANGE

Mental fatigue can affect your appetite in different ways. You may snack more than normal and not pay attention to what you eat. Stress can also make you crave

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