Combating Mental Fatigue
This has been one of the toughest years that most people have faced. So much change, loss and disconnection. There has also been a lot of good that has come from it, but that is buried somewhere under the sheer fatigue of it all.
Mental fatigue can definitely take its toll on a person’s well-being. It can actually be worse than physical fatigue because of a person’s inability to think clearly or express their feelings and frustrations. Worse still, mental stress is known to cause physical fatigue and illness, too!
Mental fatigue or exhaustion may be a result of your work, family life, conflict, or even a lack of quality sleep. If you have to make an important decision, mental stress can take its toll on you and can even lead to severe depression. This is all the more reason to avoid the consequences and implement strategies to overcome mental fatigue!
How to Relax your Mind and Boost your Energy
Relaxation is absolutely necessary to relieve mental stress and rejuvenate your body and mind. You’re probably thinking, “How am I going to do that?” Well, it’s easy. Here are some tips to help you reduce mental exhaustion and start implementing a relaxation routine:
- Take time out for yourself. Spend time in a quiet room where you can reflect and get in touch with your spiritual side. Everyone has a different way of self-reflection. Some pray or meditate, others write in a journal or diary, while others simply allow their thoughts to gently release into the darkness and quietness of the room.
- You can join us from Morning Calm, a morning (in my part of the world) meditation, journaling and discussion group that meets each weekday morning.
- Or maybe for Create with Me! A free online creativity meeting. We get together and chat while creating whatever we want. Both of these gives you time for yourself, while also hanging out with like minded individuals.
- Get plenty of sleep. Mental fatigue can exist no matter how much sleep you get, but sleep does help refresh your body and mind. Getting adequate sleep will eliminate a lot of your day-to-day stress. After all, the body will have a chance to repair itself and recharge.
- Free your mind from the problems that swirl around you. Take your mind off of those things that are causing you stress by working on a puzzle or spending time with family. Or perhaps you need to order in a nice dinner or go off on a weekend getaway to free your mind.
- Exercise regularly. Exercise causes your brain to release endorphins, which are known to make you feel happy. It’s like the body’s natural “high.” Even if all you can do is take a 15-minute walk, take it. That can also be great alone time for you.
- Try breathing exercises. When things get rough, take deep breaths in through your nose, hold it for 10 seconds, then release. You’ll notice that this will relieve tension.
- Take a day in which you can do things by yourself. Take yourself out (if covid restrictions allow) to a movie, go to a museum or art gallery, or do something you’ve always wanted to do but never made time for. In doing so, you’ll be able to enjoy the peace and quiet of being alone.
Implementing Your Own Strategies
These are just some of the strategies to combat mental fatigue. You may have some other methods that help you relax and find peace in your life. Once you begin integrating these simple exercises into your day, you will begin to feel the weight lifted off your shoulders and before you know it, you’ll feel like a brand new person!
The key here is to take time for yourself. Time to reflect, time to think, time to be.
This week’s creative exercise
Create your new year.
Write down all your goals for the upcoming year.
Put it into pictures, draw, cut out, take photos and add them to your new year goals sheet.
You can even join us January 2nd for a live workshop to create your vision board for 2021.
Wishing you all the best this Holiday Season,
Love to you,
Larissa
