Béatrice Kabasinga, 25, was desperate for a job, having been laid off when Covid-19 hit the country; however, she continued to apply to many companies, sure that she would be called for an interview. In April 2021, she got a job at a marketing company and was excited to start working. However, her enthusiasm was short-lived, as the work was so demanding that she barely had time to rest. For the first two months, she gave her all and even worked overtime, until she couldn’t take it anymore.
I was under pressure, something that resulted in stress and lack of interest in work. Work had become a burden, so she decided to see a doctor. Based on how he was feeling, the doctor informed him that his brain was tired. He was advised to take time off to rest and, if that was not possible, to quit his job. He decided to resign to take care of himself physically, mentally and emotionally.
Many people experience mental exhaustion and think that it is just tiredness or pure stress. Do you ever feel unable to fulfill your daily duties and responsibilities, or experience laziness and detachment, a tendency to overthink, severe anxiety, or a frequent feeling of being overwhelmed? Do you sometimes have a tendency to procrastinate, find it difficult to concentrate or have memory problems, are you irritable or angry? Chances are you are mentally exhausted.
According to experts, mental exhaustion is the result of prolonged stress. This stress occurs due to many reasons, such as work overload, job dissatisfaction, pregnancy, grief over losing a loved one, financial problems, and long-term illness.
Dr. Janvier Yubahwe, a psychiatrist and psychotherapist at the Kigali Psychomedical Center, says mental health burnout, also known as burnout, is considered brain fatigue. It occurs when the brain receives too much stimulation or has to maintain an intense level of activity without rest.
He says this is the result of chronic stress. The literature on male-female differences in burnout failed to produce consistent results regarding this relationship. However, it was found to increase with age. Mental exhaustion has three dimensions which are; emotional exhaustion, depersonalization and reduced personal fulfillment.
“You can say that you are mentally exhausted if you physically experience chronic tiredness; aches and pains in the joints, muscles, stomach or back; Sleep disturbance; weight loss or gain, and decreased interest in sex,” says Dr. Yubahwe.
He also says that when it comes to behavior, it is obvious that you are mentally exhausted if you withdraw and isolate yourself from your friends and colleagues, refuse help, lack efficacy, have a paranoid reaction, are overly suspicious of others, don’t turn around. to work, and have reduced responsibility and professionalism.
Dr. Yuhabwe says that emotionally, you will notice rigid thinking and lack of problem solving skills, resentment, negative mindset and irritability, you may cry or anger easily and inappropriately, experience forgetfulness, excessive worry, self-doubt and a inner sense of emptiness
He notes that treatment or a coping strategy can alter or eliminate stressors by taking steps to control your environment when possible, or by removing yourself from stressful situations.
Alternatively, he recommends reducing individual vulnerability and building resistance by reworking their attitudes and beliefs; and reduce the impact of the reaction to stress by learning and using calming and stress-releasing techniques such as relaxation exercises, massages, among others.
He says that you should always consider consulting a mental health professional when the above coping strategies seem to be unsuccessful.
According to Healthline, almost everyone experiences stress from time to time—it’s the body’s natural reaction to new, overwhelming, or frightening situations. This biological response results in a surge of hormones, including adrenaline and cortisol, that help you respond to perceived threats and high-pressure situations that require quick thinking. When you have treated or eliminated the stressor, your body’s hormones should return to typical levels. But long-term or chronic stress can play a role in mental exhaustion.
“Regular physical activity can have a positive impact on mood, energy levels and brain function, not to mention general physical well-being. You also don’t have to engage in a complex or high-intensity activity to reap the benefits. If you can, moderate exercise, like a brisk half-hour walk, can still make a difference in your mood and help you feel calmer and more relaxed.”
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