What is physical and mental exhaustion?
When you’re exhausted, it’s not just physical strain that can take a toll. Overdoing it mentally or emotionally can also be exhausting. Show Mental exhaustion stems from too much mental strain—you’re overtaking your brain with tasks that require thinking. Ever have a long day at work and feel like you don’t have the capacity to decide what to eat for dinner or to choose a TV show? That’s mental exhaustion. When you are mentally exhausted, you’re overworking your cognitive abilities and executive functions. “Mental exhaustion can develop when you have to spend a lot of time on complex tasks, such as analyzing data or making critical decisions,” said Srinivas Dannaram, MD, a psychiatrist with Banner Thunderbird Medical Center. When you’re mentally fatigued, you won’t be as alert as you normally are. It will take you longer than usual to complete tasks. You may not be as interested in your work and your performance may suffer. Over time, mental exhaustion can lead to trouble sleeping, stress-related headaches, digestive system problems and ulcers. Emotional exhaustion develops in response to feelings. You may develop it when you process sadness, anxiety, loss, frustration or similar emotions. You might face emotional exhaustion when situations at home or work leave you feeling lost, separated or helpless. It often develops as a result of life changes or transitions. Long-lasting emotional fatigue can shorten your attention span and concentration. And you may feel sad, hopeless, anxious or irritable. You may have trouble sleeping. Over time, emotional exhaustion can lead to psychiatric problems such as depression or anxiety. “Mental exhaustion can lead to emotional exhaustion and vice versa,” Dr. Dannaram said. When you are mentally exhausted, it can be challenging to balance your emotional responses since your ability to process stress is limited. You may become irritable, angry or anxious. And when you are emotionally exhausted, it can affect your attention span, concentration and ability to retain and process information. It can limit your ability to make decisions. It can be hard to recognize mental and emotional exhaustionOne of the big problems with mental and emotional exhaustion is that you often won’t realize you’re experiencing these problems. Being mindful of triggers can help. “We all tend to stretch ourselves in times of stress and transition,” Dr. Dannaram said. Changes can disrupt your system, so you’re at risk of mental exhaustion when you start a new job or role—you’re likely to set unrealistic expectations at these times, and mental fatigue can set in. You’re at higher risk for emotional exhaustion when you experience interpersonal changes such as the end of a relationship. How you can cope with mental and emotional exhaustion“Mindful changes in your lifestyle can help you adjust to new situations, prepare for stress and prevent exhaustion,” Dr. Dannaram said. He recommends exercise, yoga and getting enough sleep. Some other strategies can also help:
If you’re not getting the relief you need, seek help. And connect with a behavioral health professional if you:
The bottom lineExhaustion isn’t just physical. You may not recognize the signs, but mental and emotional stress can leave you feeling fatigued, too. If you think you may be mentally or emotionally exhausted, reach out to Banner Health for help. Other useful articles
Join the Conversation What is physical exhaustion?Physical exhaustion is our body's sensation of extreme, persistent tiredness. It is a type of fatigue that completely drains us. When we are physically exhausted, we lack energy, motivation, focus, and engagement. Physical exhaustion is often associated with mental exhaustion and stress.
What can cause mental exhaustion?Possible causes of mental exhaustion. having a demanding or high-pressure job.. working long hours without taking time off to rest.. experiencing financial stress.. job dissatisfaction.. providing care for a loved one who's ill or has special needs.. living with a chronic illness or mental health condition.. losing a loved one.. |