Mental exhaustion (or mental fatigue) is a common occurrence following an intense period of stress, productivity or cognitively demanding activities. In the same way that your body needs recovery time after physical exertion, your brain can also benefit from rest after intense mental activity. Whilst reaching a stage of mental exhaustion is a natural response to stress - and might be something many people experience at different times of their lives - it is important to recognise the signs and allow yourself time to recover.
What causes mental exhaustion?
In the modern world, our brains are constantly stimulated by challenging workloads, busy personal lives, constant exposure to blue light and a steady stream of push notifications. There are many ways that we might reach mental fatigue, often through a combination of factors. Here are some of the most common causes of mental exhaustion:
Stress: Chronic stress is the leading cause of mental exhaustion. Whether from family issues, financial concerns or work pressures, an overactive mind responsive to stress triggers will often lead to intense mental fatigue or even burnout.
A heavy workload: Intense periods of work or study with few or no breaks.
Changes in your personal life: Relationship issues, fractious family dynamics or big life changes may be a catalyst for mental fatigue.
Information overload: Being constantly bombarded with information, especially in our digital age, can overwhelm the brain’s capacity to process information effectively, leading to mental exhaustion.
Mental health issues: If you are already dealing with a mental health diagnosis such as depression, anxiety or ADHD, it can easily exacerbate and lead to mental exhaustion.
Feeling unsupported: A lack of a support system or isolation can be overwhelming, perpetuating negative thought cycles and affecting mental well-being.
Emotional trauma: Emotional exhaustion is closely linked to mental exhaustion, and whilst brought on by different causes, it can often result in mental fatigue too.
How long does it take to get over mental exhaustion?
There is no universal blueprint for overcoming mental exhaustion, and every person’s recovery time will differ depending on the cause and severity. Since mental exhaustion affects everyone differently and our ability to make changes and address the underlying causes will also vary, it is difficult to lay out a timeline for recovery.
To recover well, it is important to start by identifying the causes of your exhaustion and making changes to address them. Find time to rest and recharge, prioritise your physical health, eat well and maintain a good work-life balance (read our tips for addressing workplace stress), and try some relaxation techniques. If you’ve already tried these and are struggling to recharge, it may be time to seek help from your GP or clinician. Talking therapy can also help us to identify what our triggers or causes of exhaustion may be, helping us to more easily address them.
Some people may be able to recover within a few days or weeks if they are only experiencing mild exhaustion and can make quick and effective changes to their routine and workload. Others may feel the effects of mental exhaustion for a period of months or years, and it can often take some time to recognise and assess the underlying problem.
What are the signs of mental exhaustion?
There are many signs of mental exhaustion and they can vary in frequency and severity. Some of the common ones are:
Insomnia or bad sleeping habits
Feeling overwhelmed
Lack of motivation
Feelings of detachment or cynicism
Irritability or behaviour changes
Persistent low mood level or feelings of depression
A sense of dread
Difficulty concentrating
Self–doubt and critical thoughts
Procrastination
Difficulty making decisions
Mental exhaustion can also cause physical symptoms such as headaches, a change in appetite, muscle pain or bodily discomfort.
Whilst the symptoms of mental exhaustion are vast and varied, making it difficult to spot, anyone experiencing two or more of the symptoms listed should consider the possibility that they might need intervention.
What's the difference between mental and emotional exhaustion?
While often used interchangeably, mental and emotional exhaustion are two very closely related conditions with distinct differences. Emotional exhaustion is caused by emotional stress or strain and is related to your feelings, specifically to your ability to identify, process and express them. This might be linked to navigating feelings of grief, sadness, anger or anxiety.
Mental exhaustion, in comparison, relates to cognitive overload and depletion, affecting thinking, memory, decision-making and problem-solving (Healthline). This difference means that it is important to identify both the signs and the causes of your mental fatigue, as it may impact how best to treat it.
Whilst mental exhaustion can seem insurmountable in the moment, your brain is a competent and regenerative organ that will respond to the effort you put in to address the problem. Maintaining good mental health is a lifelong project for us all and progress is not linear. Ultimately, the key to success relies on continual awareness, re-adjustment and staying informed on how and when to get help.