Mending Mental Fatigue Do you frequently feel overwhelmed or emotionally drained? Are you constantly exhausted? Maybe you’ve had to give up things that you used to enjoy because you have too much work?
MIND, BODY & SPIRIT
By Jane Marks
T
oo often, you’ll find yourself working overtime to finish an ever-growing to-do list. If you can relate to any of these, you’re likely experiencing mental fatigue. Mental fatigue is a condition triggered by prolonged cognitive activity and stress. While we’ve tried our best to focus on self-care this past year, the demands of everyday life, the turbulent state of the world, and the ongoing pandemic have derailed our efforts—cluttering our minds and putting a strain on our cognitive function. 0ver 80 percent of women experience bouts of mental fatigue or brain fog. So, on this #MentalHealthMonday, let’s see what we can do to reboot our clarity and combat mental exhaustion.
Consider these tips: 1. Start your day with intention. Wake up ten minutes early to calming music, stretching, or even a prayerful experience. 2. Pull out those sneakers. Science says that exercise makes the brain more resilient to fatigue. 3. Be gentle to your eyes. Hours on the computer can cause significant eye fatigue. Take small steps. 4. Practice sleep hygiene. Sleep debt, or short sleeping, can negatively impact your physical and mental health. 5. Take an inventory. Examine all those experiences that drain your energy and park them. Your mental state needs to be preserved and protected. 6. Trade in the self-doubt and negative self-talk for “can do” statements. 7. Frame the time you must expose yourself to stressful events or stressors. You can only tolerate so much. 8. Pause throughout the day and lean into your support system. 9. Organization and routine will help you recharge.
Remember: Mental fatigue saps us of one of our most precious commodities: life energy. Let’s take a giant step towards mending our mental fatigue by adopting at least three of these tips this week. tallahassee woman | 44 | december 2021 • january 2022
