Why Are You Always Tired?

Written by Apoorva Khandelwal

There are an assortment of reasons why you might be tired, but have you ever considered that your fatigue is a result of mental exhaustion?

Mental exhaustion is when one feels extremely tired. It usually results from long term stress, making it tough to enjoy activities you previously liked. Similar to overuse syndrome –when strain-related injuries result from too much stress or overuse —, however, instead of using a muscle group too much, you're overusing your mind. There are numerous causes of mental exhaustion to keep in mind.

The first reason is chronic stress, which keeps your brain in high alert over the timespan of multiple days or even weeks. Unfortunately, chronic stress causes emotions to be hard to express. Another possible reason causing fatigue may be work stress, a type of stress often faced by those managing important tasks or working in high demand or risky jobs. One form of stress that increased in prevalence during and after the pandemic are family issues. Arguments, fights, or even deaths and illnesses cause huge strains in an individual’s life. . Moreover, mental exhaustion can be caused by juggling multiple commitments without take breaks. A lot of can relate to filling up their schedules and never giving themselves a much-deserved break day.

Physical signs and symptoms of mental exhaustion manifest as sleep issues, headaches and migraines, and physical exhaustion. Behavioral signs look like social withdrawal, difficulty focusing, and anger. Such issues are usually identified by close ones such as friends and family. Emotional symptoms include confusion, constantly feeling overwhelmed, and severe anxiety.

Treatments for mental exhaustion include exercising and meditation, taking frequent breaks, forming better sleep habits, and seeking help from trusted friends, family, or medical professionals. Meditating and exercising are great tactics to relax the mind and body, and taking a break and from work is a sure way to relax with some alone-time. If none of these methods work and problems persist, seek help from those you are close to or look for professional help.