What may signal mental exhaustion and what you can do about it

Your hair-trigger temper or inability to concentrate may be signs of a larger problem. See what else may signal mental exhaustion and what you can do about it.

• You are angry or impatient: Mental fatigue can put you in a bad mood. You may be short-tempered or irritated, snapping at people more often.

• You cannot get work done: Everyone's productivity varies. But mental fatigue can impair concentration. It demotivates and distracts you. Even simple things can be daunting.

• You zone out: Mind-wandering or tiredness can be symptoms. It is hard to focus and respond quickly. In certain situations, like driving, this can be harmful.

• You do not sleep well: It may seem simpler to sleep when your brain is tired. But not usually. People with high "cognitive workload" jobs report higher sleeplessness symptoms than those who do not. Stress can exacerbate mental tiredness. Are you not sleeping or feeling tired? Tell your doctor. Treatment helps.

• Unhealthy habits: You may start drinking or using drugs excessively. Mental exhaustion can be much more difficult for people with addictions. Drug addiction alters brain regions that help you cope with stress and control impulsive behaviour.

• You are sad: You may lack energy or feel tired. That can make finishing work or daily tasks difficult.

• Lots of worries: Mental exhaustion triggers the sympathetic nervous system. Anxiety is a warning that something is wrong. You might stress or worry if you are always mentally weary. This commonly occurs with depressive symptoms.

• Exercise is more difficult: Mental tiredness affects physical exercise, experts say. Some say your workout tolerance may fade. So, you may appear to be working harder than you are.

• Food habits change: Mental weariness can impact hunger in several ways. Some of you may consume more than usual and not pay attention. The stress hormone cortisol can cause food cravings. Or you might not be hungry.

• You make mistakes: Your work cannot always be perfect. A tired mind can't detect and correct errors quickly. That can pose major issues when operating machines, driving cars, or flying planes.

• You feel more pain: Mental weariness affects the body differently in each person. But you might have headaches, back discomfort, or gastrointestinal issues.

• Take breaks: Short breaks throughout long mental work sessions may help you feel less exhausted. There is no ideal amount of rest time for everyone. But you should recharge every 1-2 hours.

• Get active: Exercise during your breaks may help you feel more energised. Try a few minutes of jumping jacks and stretches. A 10–15-minute brisk walk.

• Find relaxation: Mental fatigue is difficult to prevent. You may train your body's natural relaxing reaction. Get a massage. Try meditating, yoga, or just watching a hilarious movie. If you need additional help, ask friends, family, or mental health professionals.

Untreated mental weariness can negatively affect your emotional and physical health, relationships with others, and quality of life.