How To Treat Mental Fatigue

In today's modern world, it's common for the average person to be busy for most of their waking hours. In addition to a forty-hour workweek, there's also commuting, shopping, taking care of household chores, and making time for friends and family. This often means individuals forget to take care of themselves and taking breaks may be left by the wayside. But failing to take care of oneself can lead to mental fatigue, which occurs when individuals go through periods of prolonged cognitive activity without giving their brain a rest. This can cause individuals to feel mentally and emotionally drained, not to mention overwhelmed. The typical symptoms of mental fatigue include stress eating, loss of appetite, insomnia, lack of motivation, and a feeling of being mentally blocked.

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Take More Breaks

One of the most surefire ways to help treat mental exhaustion is to take more breaks. If individuals push themselves beyond their capacity to focus, all they'll do is make their brain more tired and fatigued. Individuals may think taking a fifteen-minute break is wasting time, but multiple studies have shown taking a fifteen or twenty-minute nap is an effective way for individuals to recharge their batteries so they can concentrate for longer. Individuals who take breaks during the day are more likely to end the day feeling both productive and awake instead of frazzled. If individuals feel like they're reaching the point of mental blockage, they should try stepping away from their work for a little while. They can stretch, walk around, or even close their eyes for a bit. When individuals give their brain a break from the work, it's much easier to return to. It's a similar principle to taking breaks between reps when getting physical exercise. By resting their body, individuals are giving themselves a chance to recover.

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Get Some Exercise

Another one of the most common and easy ways to help mental fatigue is to get some exercise. Many Americans lead a sedentary lifestyle, which means they rarely get any exercise. They often wake up, drive to work, sit in an office all day, drive home, sit on the couch, and then go to bed. There's not enough walking or physical activity in this routine to meet the human body's needs. It's important to note not everyone will be able to exercise; for example, if individuals have a condition that causes exercise intolerance, they'll need to work with a doctor to find the activity levels that are most beneficial for them. However, if they can exercise, a little exercise is better than none at all. The average adult should get at least thirty minutes of exercise three times a week. But if someone is completely sedentary, working up to this can be hard, so they should start small. For instance, they can get up and take a walk around their office building. They should also consider taking small walks on weekends. Individuals shouldn't push themselves, but let their body move just enough to overcome the mental exhaustion.

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