Last Updated on February 26, 2024 by Angela Vaz
You can’t seem to get ahead of your tasks.
Every day – Tasks and responsibilities keep piling up.
You feel like you’re running in circles – you are obsessed with getting toward the weekend, but before you know it, it’s Monday again.
You’re so tired.
You just want to rest.
In this post, I will cover some signs you need a mental break -Please heed them before you burn yourself out.
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1. You have anxiety
Anxiety has been normalized today – we seem to have normalized hustle culture.
But it’s really not a good sign at all.
If you’re constantly overthinking, your mind is itching and bursting with thoughts and tasks, and you are super restless – it’s your body’s way of telling you that it’s tired.
Maybe you’re not taking proper breaks between tasks and responsibilities.
Maybe you just keep bouncing between them – hoping that you’ll get a break when it comes naturally.
I hate to break it to you – but that day is never going to come.
There is always going to be something to do.
You have to say, “Enough is enough.” And take a break.
2. You no longer relish meals
You have no time to sit down to enjoy a meal.
You simply rush through breakfast and lunch because there is too much to be done.
You often stop for quick meals – or quick bites and snacks because you can’t be bothered for a sit-down meal.
You know it’s making you feel more lethargic and tired, but you have no choice – because there is too much work.
This is a heavy sign that you need a mental break.
3. You can’t remember the last time you slept peacefully
Every day, you go to bed because you’re super tired.
You’re stressed about the events of the day, and you’re dreading the next day.
Again – this is not normal.
It would be best if you didn’t have to go to bed only when you have to – you must sleep because you want to.
Sleep is your body’s natural way of repairing itself and rejuvenating itself.
And if you find that you can’t sleep because you’re so stressed or are cutting back your sleep hours, it’s time for things to change.
4. You’re perenially tired
You can’t seem to zap up that energy in the morning to have a routine.
You’re constantly drained and lethargic and often wonder how other people are so full of life and energy.
You frequently reach for coffee/tea to numb the lethargy so you can focus on work or responsibilities.
5. You’re snapping more often than before
You find yourself irritable and often angsty.
You feel bad after you’ve let out your frustration, but you don’t know why everything around you keeps setting you off.
And you’re noticing that you’re no longer at peace – those quiet, content moments are sparser and fewer between.
6. You find it hard to focus
You’re beginning to wonder if you have ADHD because you are unable to focus.
Tasks that took you 2 hours before now take you half a day to finish – you’re either switching between tasks heavily or you’re getting distracted.
Either way, it’s a sign your mind and body are very tired.
And you most certainly need a break.
7. You don’t enjoy social events anymore
There was a time when you loved hanging out with people.
But now you feel that it will be a distraction.
You sometimes envy people who have time to hang out with each other – and you feel yourself becoming more distant and withdrawn.
You keep telling yourself that you will hustle only for a while but can’t remember the last time you took a break.
8. You’re dealing with stress unhealthily
If you’re constantly taking little drinks at the end of the day or vaping/smoking throughout the day to deal with the day – then this is not okay.
It’s okay to drink/smoke sometimes – but if you feel it’s becoming more of a habit to relax – then you need to slow down.
It’s time to assess the situation.
9. You can’t remember the last time you had fun with your hobbies
If reading used to give you pleasure, but now looking at a book makes you feel tired, you need a break.
If you love cycling, dancing, or moving your body but can’t find the time to do that now, you need to do something about that.
If you loved getting together with your friends but now feel drained and guilty about missing work, you need a break.
10. You feel ill frequently
Maybe you have a headache that keeps coming back, or you can’t seem to get rid of your cold.
This is your body feeling tired. It’s a sign you need to recharge desperately.
I also recommend getting some bloodwork done to check for deficiencies.
But more importantly, please slow down because your body needs rest.
11. You have zero motivation
Your work used to give you joy.
Now, you do it because it pays the bills.
You don’t look forward to work – you just want to get on with it.
Every day feels like just another day, and you feel yourself slowly dimming to the point of burnout/exhaustion.
12. You feel like you’ve lost your identity
You used to know what made you tick.
But now, you’re not so sure anymore.
The days feel like a blur, and you constantly think, “What’s the point?”
This is not okay and a sign that you are heavily burned out.
You need some time to yourself – you need a mental break.
13. Your muscles are always stiff
When your body is tired – and you have muscle aches – it’s your body’s way of screaming to you that it’s tired.
If you are constantly feeling achy and tired and your body is slow – where you can’t will it to move faster – it means you’ve used up much of your mental and physical energy.
This is a sign you need to rest and rejuvenate.
To summarize
We often don’t pay attention to these signs because we’re so lost with the everyday tasks and monotony.
But we shouldn’t stretch ourselves to the point of collapse – that is not done.
I urge you to take a chill pill and just relax – make a plan to relax on the weekend.
Normalize not doing ANYTHING for 1 day and just sleep or laze if you have to.
You deserve this.
Please take care of yourself.
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