How can you tell that you need a mental break?
Waking up very early in the morning to beat the traffic, rushing to meet deadlines, attending to family and personal needs- the tasks and lists never end.
As an adult, you have a lot of responsibilities to face but it’s taking a toll on you. You know that you are gradually burning out but you can’t neglect your stressful job, family needs, and house chores.
Worse case, you can’t escape from the daily mad traffic that ties you down on the road, especially in states like Lagos, Port-Harcourt, and Abuja.
You are heading towards a mental breakdown if you don’t watch it.
But Is ignoring these obligations a solution? Certainly No!
What about just acting like everything is fine and pushing on even when your body is giving some mental breakdown signals? You know that it’s not going to help.
Do you know that if you land in the hospital or die, it won’t stop your works, tasks, and responsibilities from piling up?
You may know that you are not functioning the way you used to but can’t pinpoint the exact reasons. Not to worry, that’s why I’m here to open your eyes to the signs that you are having a burnout and thus, need a mental break.
1. You stress more about the past and focus less on the present.
Do you struggle to read pass two lines of a book because you can’t seem to concentrate?
Are you always thinking of how you should have done better at that presentation or how you’ve missed two appointments with your doctor?
Your mind keeps racing at the things you should have done better. You are scared that your past mistakes, failures or forgetfulness could affect your future, thereby neglecting your present life and moments.
When you focus less on the present, it could cause you to be forgetful, mindless or even make silly mistakes.
Taking a mental break will help your mind relax and your thoughts the time to sort things out.
2. You are always sick
Do you know that too much stress can make you sick?
Stress (physical and mental) can also make your skin pale. One exposure to rain and you are already down with fever, cold and flu.
You find yourself falling ill frequently. My dear, that could be stress hitting you.
High-stress level weakens your immune system and exposes your body to illnesses and diseases. Apart from taking drugs, supplements and good food, you should take a mental break to relieve your body from stress and come back feeling refreshed.
3. Your eating habit changes
When your eating habits become strange to those around you, this could be a sign that you need to take a mental break.
You might be eating less or even skipping meals without even knowing. Craving for snacks and eating more than usual, even when you are not hungry could also be a sign of mental stress.
Related Post: What Skipping Breakfast Can Do to Your Health
4. You lose motivation
When you wake up in the morning and have to force yourself to work or lose interest in the activities that you love, it’s a sign that you have burned out and need a mental break to refresh.
Were you a person people run to for social activities planning, tips and gists, but have lost the motivation for such fun activities? You will rather sit and watch things happen unless compelled to do so.
High level of stress can turn your fun activities into tasks done out of compulsion or obligation.
5. Always feeling exhausted
Have you found yourself feeling extremely tired and weak even after you have had the recommended eight hours of sleep?
Do you have to drag your feet to the door or find your usual exercise routine and house chores difficult?
It is a symptom of excessive stress which can make you feel mentally and physically exhausted.
6. You find it hard to rest
You are always running around the wheel at every hour of the day without rest- trying to finish your list of tasks at work, running errands for your mum after work, etc.
When you eventually try to relax, you will find it hard to keep your mind at rest. And this is not good for your overall health.
7. You can’t sleep
Sleep helps to relieve stress and suppress headache and body pain.
But when you get into bed rolling from its left to right side till morning then something is wrong with your mental state- your mind is not at rest.
For some, you are in the habit of staying up for extra hours trying to finish a work or project, while others find it hard to get back to sleep after waking up.
Not sleeping for most nights in a week could disrupt how well you function at work or during other activities.
Why not take a mental break (short or long) to address what’s bordering your mind. If it’s beyond your capabilities, then seek a psychological, or professional help. Better still, learn to leave problems you can’t solve and rest your mind.
A popular song from a Nigerian Musician (Timaya) says- “this life I can’t kill myself… Allow me to flex”, you might want to do the same moderately. Take a mental break and continue your busy schedules later.
Your wellbeing is not only about physical health and nutritious meals. It is also essential to pay proper attention to your mental health and take a mental break occasionally to refuel.
Thanks for reading this post. Kindly comment, follow Gechy’s blog, and share.
Gechy's Blog 