Mental Exhaustion and How to Deal With It
Many college students experience mental exhaustion, also known as burnout, in their college career. Mental exhaustion is the feeling of being completely overwhelmed and drained, both mentally and physically. This burnout can be caused by so many things. A few of these stressors could be detachment from friends or loved ones, clutter, extreme stress, procrastination, and constant exposure to overwhelming situations. Many people describe mental exhaustion as feeling like your problems are impossible to accomplish. Don’t fret though, there are ways to combat mental exhaustion!
Burnout can have so many different symptoms centered around it. It also affects every person differently. There are emotional symptoms, but there are also many physical symptoms. Some emotional symptoms include feeling constant intense anxiety, hopelessness, a lack of motivation, feelings of dread, difficulty concentrating, a decline in productivity, and feelings of anger and apathy. Physical symptoms include painful long-lasting headaches, stomach problems, increased illness, fatigue, and insomnia. Not everyone will experience these symptoms, but it’s important to know how to point out the signs of burnout.
So, how can we combat this terrible feeling of mental exhaustion? Well, there are many things you can do to improve your mental well-being. I’ve listed five helpful ways to keep your brain happy and healthy and to help you deal with intense exhaustion.
1. Removing the stressor(s) in your life.
Recognizing and realizing the reason you’re stressing out is an important step to overcoming burnout. Once you recognize why you’re feeling the way you are, you can take the proper steps to get rid of that stressor in your life. It may be as simple as cleaning the clutter in your room, or as hard as ending things with a toxic person in your life. Getting rid of the stressor can seriously improve your mental health.
2. Relaxation and meditation techniques.
Taking a break from the work you’re doing and taking a moment to get in touch with your body can also help fight burnout. Taking breaks consistently throughout your work will keep your mind fresh and relaxed instead of stressed and paranoid about finishing your work.
3. Take a walk.
Fresh air is the key to a centered and focused mind. Nature is a great way to help you realize the world around you. If you take a long enough walk, you’ll start to realize how big the world is and how much potential there is for greatness.
4. Read a book.
There’s nothing better than taking a moment and separating yourself from this world and being transported to another through the pages of a book. Even reading for just 20 minutes a day can improve your well-being.
5. Practice self-care
No, this does not mean just putting on a face mask and pretending your problems aren’t there. This means actually taking a day or two to realize your self-worth and relax. This can be through a meeting with your therapist, making a list of everything you’re grateful for, or writing a love letter to yourself. Everyone handles self-care differently. What’s important is that you take the time to enjoy yourself. Yes, this can include a face mask, but don’t limit it to just that!
Burn out is not a fun experience, but it is stoppable. It can harm your mental and physical well-being so much. It’s important to be able to recognize burnout and to know how to treat it. With a little time and patience, you can be back to feeling like yourself in no time.
Remember, don’t overwork yourself. You’re only one person and you deserve to be happy.