Mental tiredness or mental fatigue It is a concept that can be confused with physical fatigue, although they are different. Mental fatigue is related to prolonged symptoms of stress (whether work-related or not), anxiety, depression, or excessive tasks and lack of resources.
This type of fatigue is different from drowsiness (the need to sleep), although the person feels a loss of energy, demotivation and apathy. It appears, for example, when a person suffers burnout and the moment comes when he feels that he can’t take it anymore, that his resources are not enough to deal with the situation and he reaches his mental limit.
Mental fatigue is often associated with work , since many phenomena related to this field can cause it. The most common causes of mental fatigue are:
How to combat mental fatigue
Mental fatigue, that feeling that you have reached the limit and in which you feel mentally and emotionally exhausted, can be avoided and overcome.
Below you can find natural ways to combat this phenomenon without having to resort to drugs.
1. Eat well
Many people experience mental fatigue because they are not nourished as they should. This can cause a person to lose concentration and feel tired and mentally exhausted, as their body It does not have the necessary nutrients for it to function properly.
Therefore, it is important to eat several times a day, preferably 5 times (that is, spread the necessary calories over 5 meals). Food is especially important during times when we have a lot of work. Also It is important take carbohydrates , since glucose is the brain’s energy source. Eating well keeps the mind active and reduces mental fatigue.
2. Take a natural supplement
There are different supplements that are ideal for times when we have to make extra mental effort. Some examples are: royal jelly, ginseng or ginkgo biloba …This can help us be more focused and overcome those extra demands of some moments in our lives.
3. Sleep well
Sleeping well has many benefits, and when we don’t, our body and mind notice it. Therefore, there is nothing better than a good rest to prevent mental fatigue and be more lucid and alert during the day.
Experts recommend sleeping 8 hours, but there are people who need less to perform well. Taking a 20-minute nap a day isn’t bad either Because, according to science, it makes us more focused and active.
4. Meditate
Meditation is an ancient practice that is very fashionable, as it helps to cope with the pace of life in Western societies. It helps us stop, connect with ourselves, be in the present and have a calm mind. There are different types of meditation and all of them are very beneficial.
5. Drink water
If eating well is positive for maintaining good levels of attention and concentration, it is equally necessary to consume enough water so that the body is served. Dehydration is one of the main causes of mental fatigue so it is necessary to drink at least 8 glasses of water every day, spread throughout the day.
We spend many hours at work and, therefore, a bad work environment It can end up causing us excessive mental fatigue. And when you are comfortable in your work and are calm, you feel good and are more productive. When this is not the case, it is easy to feel mentally exhausted and stressed.
7. Practice physical exercise
Physical exercise is one of the healthiest habits that a person can enjoy, as it helps us feel better, improves our self-esteem and makes us feel happier because when we practice it we release different neurochemicals such as endorphins or serotonin.
Scientific studies show that Physical exercise improves our physical and mental health so we must allocate at least 30 minutes a day to practice it.
8. Practice yoga
Yoga, like meditation, is also an ancient practice that helps us connect our body with our mind. Some may think that it is the same as doing physical exercise, but it is not. It is made up of postures (asanas), relaxation (savasana), meditation (dhyana), breathing (pranayama), kriyas (cleansing), mudras (energy seals), kirtan (chanting), mantra or rituals.
In addition, the practice of yoga can include a lifestyle that is committed to ethical guidelines and values ​​based on well-being, as well as adequate and healthy eating.
9. Rest
If you are at work and you notice that you cannot do more on a mental level, then you may need to take a break and, for example, give your eyes a rest. moving away from the screen. If, for example, you work in front of a computer and you have been in the same position for 3 hours, it is logical that you feel mentally tired.
Don’t feel guilty and disconnect for 20 minutes, I’m sure that when you return you will feel better. The ideal is to disconnect for 10 minutes every 45 minutes.
10. Take a vacation
If you see that your mental fatigue has turned into exhaustion, then It’s time to take a long breath , because you may be suffering from stress or burnout syndrome. Maybe it’s a good idea to take a weekend vacation in the mountains or spend the day in the countryside or on the beach. The goal is to relax, let your mind rest and regain strength.
