Why are we all so mentally exhausted?

1. Information overload: We are constantly bombarded with information from social media, news outlets, and other sources. This can be overwhelming and exhausting, especially when much of the news is negative.
2. Pandemic-related stress: The COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted our daily lives and caused a great deal of stress and uncertainty. Many people are worried about their health, finances, and loved ones. This ongoing stress can take a toll on our mental health and lead to exhaustion.
3. Technology: Our reliance on technology has made it easier to stay connected with others, but it has also blurred the boundaries between work and personal time. Many people feel like they are "on" all the time and have trouble disconnecting from their devices.
4. Multitasking: Many people try to do multiple things at once, such as checking email while on a conference call or scrolling through social media while watching TV. While multitasking can feel productive, it can also lead to mental exhaustion.
5. Lack of self-care: When we are busy and stressed, it can be easy to neglect our own needs. However, taking care of ourselves is crucial for our mental health. Eating well, getting enough sleep, and engaging in activities that bring us joy can help reduce mental exhaustion.

 

Our mental exhaustion is making us too tired to do what is required to even try to make us feel better. How much of the above do you think is affecting how much joy you could be having? How much of it could you actually do anything about? Even if it is just a small amount.

• Trim your tech time. Not just because of the effects of tech on our brain but what we are consuming. The majority of news on social media is ridiculous nonsense anyway, click bait, intentionally curated to panic us and draw us in to read more through fear. To make us feel less than to urge consumerism or sway an agenda in the latest political crusade.
• Practice (because it may require a weaning off process) less multitasking while having some well-deserved downtime.
• Do you know what brings you joy? If not, that must be your priority. Holidaying on a remote island may bring you joy but that is not always attainable for 10 minutes after eating dinner. Listening to a crime podcast, hitting the streets for a run or playing Candy Crush, is.
• Plan ahead, get some good vitamin packed snacks on your online shop so it is there when you need it. Not just Cadbury’s mini eggs.
• Do you talk to anyone about what is exhausting you? Most people will want to help, even the kids, but communicating is key. You may even be opening the door to help someone else open up and be able o help each other. It sounds clichéd but talking really does help to relieve what is being built up inside our overly swamped brains.

 

This really needs to be ‘brought home’ about how we need to speculate to accumulate. The longer we leave it and don’t recognise what is weighing us down, the harder it will be to break patterns.

 

It's important to remember that everyone's experience is unique, and what may cause mental exhaustion for one person may not affect another in the same way. If you are feeling mentally exhausted, it may be helpful to talk to a healthcare professional who can help you identify the underlying causes and develop a plan for self-care.