Are You Mentally Exhausted? Look Out For These 6 Danger Signs

Rachel Lyon-Jukes
Apr 13, 2022
3 min read

Updated: Apr 13

What does it mean to be mentally exhausted?

Think of being physically exhausted. Your body is weak and you don't feel as if you can do anything.

It is the same for your brain. It's drained from excess stress and having to deal with constant activity.

How do I know if I am mentally exhausted?

There are a few danger signs to look out for in connection with mental exhaustion.

1. you cannot concentrate

Everything seems difficult, even watching the TV is a chore. You cannot focus on what you need to.

I find when I am mentally exhausted, I cannot take in the words that I am reading. I have to re-read a passage 2-3 times to understand it.

This means you get distracted easier than normal and find yourself zoning out.

2. you are having trouble sleeping

Your brain may be reeling about something your need to do. This prevents you from getting a good night's sleep.

It is as if your brain will not shut off and the more you think about it the more you get worked up. Suddenly your whole body is awake because of the anxious energy within you.

And the cycle continues.

3. you feel numb

You can feel as if you're wrapped up in cotton wool, zoned out to the world. All your emotions seem cut off and your reactions are non-existent.

Feeling numb can be scary because you don't feel in control of yourself. It is as if everything inside of you has switched off and you're left as an empty shell.

This can be because of intense overwhelm or a build-up of stress.

4. you are impatient

We have all been there when it comes to feeling impatient. We get touchy and our buttons seem to press a lot easier.

We become grouchy because we do not have as much energy as we would like. Mental energy is the same and without it, we see the same effect.

5. you cry for no reason

With less mental energy to hold ourselves together, our emotions will flare up easier.

It has happened to me loads of times and it surprises me!

But I realise that I do not have the mental control to keep my emotions in check.

6. you are lacking motivation

You may find that you do not want to do your normal activities. You suddenly can't be bothered. Your interests do not fill you with excitement anymore. You don't see the point in doing them.

Take it as a sign that you need some mental rest time. You need to recharge and begin again.

If you are aware that you are mentally drained, be mindful of how much time you need to refuel. Take the steps necessary to boost your mental energy levels. Notice the line between recuperation and laziness.