Why You Might Be Feeling Mentally Tired—And How to Break the Cycle

We’ve all been there before—you’re dragging yourself through the day, feeling mental fatigue set in but you can’t quite pinpoint why. You’re getting enough sleep, eating relatively healthy and staying active…so what gives? While there can be a number of different reasons for why you might be feeling mental fatigue, here are a few of the most common causes—and how you can break the cycle.

1. You’re stressed out
If you’re constantly juggling a million different balls and never seem to have a moment to yourself, it’s no wonder you might be feeling mentally exhausted. When we’re stressed, our bodies go into fight-or-flight mode, which can lead to a whole host of issues including mental fog, difficulty concentrating and even irritability. So how can you combat stress-induced mental fatigue? Try implementing some stress-busting techniques into your daily routine such as deep breathing, meditation or even just taking a few minutes each day to yourself to relax and unwind.

2. You have problems sleeping
Poor sleep can have a major impact on our mental state during the day. If you’re not getting enough quality shut-eye at night, it can leave you feeling groggy and make it difficult to focus when you need to be at your best. There are a few different things you can do to try and encourage better sleep such as establishing a regular sleep schedule, avoiding caffeine before bed and making sure your sleeping environment is dark, quiet and cool.

3.You’re not eating right
What we eat has a direct impact on how we feel both physically and mentally—so if you’re consuming too much junk food or not enough nutrients, it’s likely that your mental state will suffer as a result. To help improve your energy levels and overall mood, aim to eat well-balanced meals with plenty of lean protein, fruits, vegetables and complex carbs throughout the day.

If you’ve been feeling drained lately and can’t quite put your finger on why, chances are one (or more) of these factors might be coming into play. But by taking some steps to address the issue—whether it’s managing stress levels better, working on your sleep habits or eating more nutrient-rich foods—you can help break the cycle of mental fatigue and start feeling like yourself again in no time.