6 Warning Signs of Mental Exhaustion (don’t ignore these!!)
You know that feeling you’ve been having. You’re tired but you’re not sure why or where it is coming from. You’re cranky and losing patience. You try to fight it but it’s getting close to the breaking point. These are just a few of the many warning signs of mental exhaustion.
The breaking point of “I don’t think I can do this anymore” is another clear warning sign it’s time for you to stop, chill out and take some time for you.
You have now reached the point of emotional and mental exhaustion. Whatever it is that you have been going through has taken its toll and it’s screaming at you through these signs to please stop, take a step back and have a good close look at what is going on in your life.
We’re gonna dive a little deeper in this article and share with you 6 more warning signs of mental fatigue.
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Do you know if you are mentally exhausted?
Too many of us blame our exhaustion on stress or lack of sleep or other things but think about where your mental exhaustion actually comes from.
It doesn’t matter what the reason is, the fact of the matter is, you’re there and you need to fix it and take care of yourself. If you see yourself in any of these signs of mental exhaustion then it’s time to get to work.
This is a really good article from healthline.com on how to treat and prevent mental exhaustion.
How to Treat and Prevent Mental Exhaustion
Though I think there are probably way more warning signs of exhaustion, these top the list, and if you are experiencing any of them, it’s time to take charge of your life.
We are here for ridiculous joy and if anything is getting in the way of you having that, you need to take stock and inventory of your life to find out what’s blocking you from the happiness you so deserve.
If you feel you need more help in dealing with this or want to speak to a professional, please visit the amazing people at online-therapy.com. I’ve recently partnered up with them and I highly recommend their services.
Please speak to someone today!
Never ignore signs of emotional exhaustion (mental)
The 6 warning signs of exhaustion I’m going to share below are not to be ignored. Don’t read them and think, ya that’s me but I’ll be fine.
You won’t be.
Exhaustion will take its toll on you and will burn out hardcore. Here are just a few things that can and will happen to you if you continually ignore the warnings signs of exhaustion:
- chronic headaches
- psychosis
- physical pain (backaches, IBS, weak or achy muscles)
- inability to comprehend simple things
- lack of focus
- and so much more!!!
We’re all a little stressed out right now, amirite?
I mean, let’s face it, the whole world and every single person on the planet is going through chaos, drama, stress, uncertainty, anger, frustration, etc, and we’re starting to lose patience, get angrier, and we’re all pretty fed up with what’s going on.
When we don’t understand what’s happening to us or around us, we get scared, anxious, angry and stressed out. And what does all this cause? Yup. You guessed it.
Mental exhaustion and/or emotional exhaustion. I mean, we’re tired dammit!
We’re trying to deal with something we’ve never had to before. We have a million questions and there are so many answers we don’t know who to believe anymore.
Now add that to all the other things going on in our lives that are stressing us out, some partially due to the pandemic. It’s a pretty messed up situation in whole. I think the whole world is mentally exhausted to be honest.
The 6 warning signs of mental exhaustion
1 You lack motivation
When we feel a lack of motivation, part of us wants to keep pushing and go so we don’t feel like a failure or unproductive.
What ends up happening though, when you do try to push, is that you are now pouring from an empty cup and anything you try to do won’t be your best work and will only come from a place of desperation.
You are mentally exhausted.
Solution
What you really need to do is rest, recharge, and take some “me” time. Release the need to work and push through this and embrace decompression and let motivation come back to you. Step away from whatever is causing you all this stress, and go back to it when you have a clearer mind.
2 Easily irritated
At one time you used to be a laid back, chilled out kind of person but lately, even the littlest things are triggering anger and frustration in you. Things that really don’t matter much in the grand scheme of things are getting on your last nerve.
Ignoring these signs of mental exhaustion will not result in anything positive.
Solution
Rather than break down completely and hurt someone close to you, break away instead and give yourself the emotional nurturing your heart and soul so desperately need. If you feel you’re about to snap, catch yourself immediately, take a big deep breath and step away.
3 You cry for no reason
You’ve become an emotional basketcase and the simplest things have you crying in no time, for no reason at all even. You are way too sensitive when you’re not normally, and that box of Kleenex has become your best friend.
Your body has kicked into defense mode and crying is a great defense. It’s also a great detox for anger, hurt, frustration, and mental and emotional exhaustion.
Solution
Cry all you want, get it all out, but eventually, you will have to get to the root of the problem that is causing the emotional exhaustion. It’s important to cry and relieve that stress but you can’t keep crying forever. One day you’re gonna have to heal what is hurting you.
4 You’re starting to have anxiety attacks
This is a totally new thing for you.
The first time you had one you had no clue what it was or why it was happening to you. Mental and emotional exhaustion will do that to anyone. Everything is causing you to freak out a little more each day and fear has taken a hold of you.
Fear causes anxiety. Great anxiety. Anxiety is no fun!
Solution
Don’t get consumed with fear. Fear will shut you down if you let it. Find out what it is that is causing it, face it, and let it go. Remember fear is an irrational emotion as well.
If you need some help facing your fears you may like my latest mini self-help eBook on How to Face Fears. Click here to grab your copy now (or click the image below).
5 Sleep has eluded you
You toss and turn whereas before you never had any trouble falling asleep and having a good night’s rest.
That doesn’t happen anymore.
Your mind paces, your limbs are twitchy and you can’t stop any of it. Even though you are physically exhausted, mental and emotional exhaustion trumps that and you can’t settle your mind down long enough to fall asleep.
Solution
Grab some headphones and listen to guided meditations or soft music at bedtime. There are tons of excellent ones on YouTube. I also love listening to hypnosis audios.
The trick is to listen to something other than your mind. If that’s not your thing, you can always try all-natural Melatonin as a sleep aid or any other natural sleep aid product. Many people still think insomnia is a random issue. It’s not.
Out of the signs and symptoms of mental and emotional exhaustion, this is probably the most disregarded one.
6 You’re starting to feel dizzy, weak and nauseous
This is a major warning sign of exhaustion.
Your body is shutting down. It isn’t running on proper fuel anymore. If you’ve been feeling mentally and emotionally exhausted, chances are besides you not sleeping well, you’re probably not eating all that well either.
Pay attention to this sign!! If you don’t, you may end up with something far worse than mental exhaustion.
Solution
Notice this sign and address it immediately. Remember your body is desperately trying to fight all these signs and symptoms of emotional and mental exhaustion but it’s having a really hard time keeping up. Your body is crying to you to please start taking care of yourself.
Many people still fail to realize that the physical signs and symptoms you are going through are often the result of emotional trauma or fatigue. Our body is a great indicator that we need to take better care of our mental health.
I found a great video I think you might like from the TopThink channel on YouTube (I share lots of their stuff!). It’s the 10 signs of emotional burnout that you should watch out for.
Signs if you are mentally exhausted
If you recognize any of these signs of mental exhaustion please stop and take a look at what’s going on in your life, what’s causing these and get to the bottom of it and heal. You are no good to anyone, not even yourself if you are suffering like this.
And remember, I only listed 6 signs of mental exhaustion.
We are not here to suffer or be in misery. We are here for joy, love, and happiness. We are deserving of this life. Self-care is so important and it’s time to stop putting yourself on the back shelf while you take care of everyone else first. Don’t do that anymore!
Also, remember that only you are in control of your life. No one else. No one else can fix your problems for you but you. Please take the time to heal and honour yourself.
Do you see these signs in someone you love? Maybe you can share this blog with them and start them on their path to recovery.
Peace and Love
xo iva xo
Wow… well, this is me. I’m not surprised. Do you have any suggestions for what to do to combat mental exhaustion?
HI Abby I listed some suggestions in the article itself. Self care really is the best medicine xoxo
What I need is therapy. But mental health is expensive. I contacted a therapist but she’s fully booked, and I have to be on a waiting list, not to mention the costs of treatment per week.
I’m trying to get a new job so I can start therapy. There’s also the question of gelling with the therapist.
We need to do more as a society and the world in talking about mental health.
You’re absolutely right. I hope you can get the help you need.
Iva…what do you do if you are waaay past this point??
I am 63 yrs old, and I have been under high stress for the majority of my life. I’m also an Empath. I’m a workaholic and a perfectionist, so what stresses the world didn’t apply, I imposed on myself. I am past all of those signs, and now just feel like a zombie. I am exhausted to my core. If breathing weren’t an involuntary action, I wouldn’t participate in that either. I’ve never felt this empty before. I’m currently on depression medication and started talking to a mental health counselor. I need to “fix” this because I have too much to do and not enough time to do it.
I’m glad you are seeing a mental health counselor. That’s a big great step in the right direction. I’m not a mental health professional so I shouldn’t be advising you on what to do but I do want to tell you you have got to let go of perfectionism and being a workaholic. Neither will serve you well. You need to start looking for things to do that bring you joy…immense joy. Go chase those things and do more of them. xoxo