Mental fatigue is a form of [burnout](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-recover-from-burnout) due to overwork or stressors that make it challenging to execute tasks and think with a clear head. Mental fatigue can happen to anyone and typically leads to a lack of [motivation](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-find-motivation) and mental energy. Spending too much time working on the computer, processing paperwork, or thinking creatively can cause mental fatigue. Mental exhaustion can lead to emotional and physical fatigue. It is essential to prioritize [self-care](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/self-care) and your [mental health](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/what-is-mental-health) to prevent mental tiredness. Practicing [relaxation techniques](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-relax), spending time with loved ones, and exercising are some ways to combat mental fatigue.
There are several causes of mental exhaustion. A lack of sleep and overworking are two major short-term causes of mental fatigue. Significant life changes or stresses can also lead to chronic fatigue. A breakup, a new job with added pressures, moving, or coping with health care issues can prolong this mental health condition.
Mental fatigue can adversely impact your daily life. Physical, behavioral, and emotional signs of mental fatigue include: 

1. __Heightened sensitivity__: When battling mental fatigue, fight or flight emotions sharpen. This can make people more likely to experience anxiety or fear and be more easily triggered to make unwise choices.
2. __Illness__: Sleep rejuvenates the immune system. For example, you are more likely to catch a cold when you don’t get enough sleep. When coping with mental fatigue, consider your self-care and take time off to rest, catch up on sleep, and clear your head.
3. __Irregular brain function__: Brain fog can also influence cognitive activity. If you feel stress from lifestyle changes or long hours at work, you may find yourself procrastinating more and getting less done.
4. __Low energy levels__: Mental fatigue can significantly affect your physical health, especially when [sleep deprivation](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/sleep-deprivation) is causing this brain fog. You will sense yourself moving slower and feeling more lethargic.
5. __Moodiness__: Mental fatigue can be emotionally exhausting, which means we may be more testy than usual with family members, friends, and loved ones.
6. __Physical exhaustion__: Fatigue symptoms also include extreme tiredness. Accomplishing important tasks will seem more complicated, and you will have less desire to go to the gym, take walks, or leave the bed. All physical activity that once seemed doable will now feel more challenging.
7. __Poor decision-making__: Logic and emotion play equal roles in making decisions. Mental fatigue diminishes the ability to think clearly, and level-headed [decision-making](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/decision-making-styles) may suffer.
Mental fatigue affects your psychological and physical well-being, so it is important to practice self-care. Consider the following methods to overcome mental fatigue:

- __Engage in activities that bring you joy__. Practice hobbies that take your mind off stress so you can greet work with a refreshed and clear mind each day.
- __Find a work-life balance__. Set [work boundaries](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/boundaries-at-work) to maintain a healthy [work-life balance](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/work-life-balance). Keep set working hours and take the time to decompress after work. 
- __Get outside__. Take a break from work or a creative project, and go outdoors for fresh air to help clear your head. Spending time in nature can be rejuvenating.
- __Practice breathing exercises__. Mindfulness or [meditation](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-long-should-i-meditate) practices can help you ease in and out of your workday to help prevent mental fatigue. Deep [breathing exercises](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/box-breathing-guide) can also help you manage stress throughout the day.
- __Seek professional help__. If you experience chronic mental fatigue, you may need psychiatry intervention. A mental health professional can help you identify ways to set personal and professional boundaries to help ease mental fatigue.
- __Socialize with others__. Having social support can help you overcome mental tiredness. Spend time with friends, family, or coworkers after work hours to give yourself a break.
Figuring out what you want to do next and how to get there? Learn how to embrace your passions with a [MasterClass Annual Membership](https://www.masterclass.com) and find the grit to take control of your life with exclusive access to video lessons taught by the world’s best, including Robin Arzón, Elaine Welteroth, Hillary Rodham Clinton, RuPaul, and more.
A lack of a work-life balance, not getting enough sleep, and job burnout are just three common causes of this form of brain fog, which can have many side effects if untreated, including emotional exhaustion and chronic stress.

A lack of a work-life balance, not getting enough sleep, and job burnout are just three common causes of this form of brain fog, which can have many side effects if untreated, including emotional exhaustion and chronic stress.

Mental Fatigue Symptoms: How to Overcome Mental Fatigue

Mental fatigue is a form of <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-recover-from-burnout' target='_self' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-recover-from-burnout","linkCopy":"burnout","category":null}'>burnout</a> due to overwork or stressors that make it challenging to execute tasks and think with a clear head. Mental fatigue can happen to anyone and typically leads to a lack of <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-find-motivation' target='_self' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-find-motivation","linkCopy":"motivation","category":null}'>motivation</a> and mental energy. Spending too much time working on the computer, processing paperwork, or thinking creatively can cause mental fatigue. Mental exhaustion can lead to emotional and physical fatigue. It is essential to prioritize <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/self-care' target='_self' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/self-care","linkCopy":"self-care","category":null}'>self-care</a> and your <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/what-is-mental-health' target='_self' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/what-is-mental-health","linkCopy":"mental health","category":null}'>mental health</a> to prevent mental tiredness. Practicing <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-relax' target='_self' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-relax","linkCopy":"relaxation techniques","category":null}'>relaxation techniques</a>, spending time with loved ones, and exercising are some ways to combat mental fatigue.

What Is Mental Fatigue?

There are several causes of mental exhaustion. A lack of sleep and overworking are two major short-term causes of mental fatigue. Significant life changes or stresses can also lead to chronic fatigue. A breakup, a new job with added pressures, moving, or coping with health care issues can prolong this mental health condition.

What Causes Mental Fatigue?

Mental fatigue can adversely impact your daily life. Physical, behavioral, and emotional signs of mental fatigue include: <ol class="mc-m-4"><li class="mc-my-4"> 1. Heightened sensitivity: When battling mental fatigue, fight or flight emotions sharpen. This can make people more likely to experience anxiety or fear and be more easily triggered to make unwise choices. </li><li class="mc-my-4"> 2. Illness: Sleep rejuvenates the immune system. For example, you are more likely to catch a cold when you don’t get enough sleep. When coping with mental fatigue, consider your self-care and take time off to rest, catch up on sleep, and clear your head. </li><li class="mc-my-4"> 3. Irregular brain function: Brain fog can also influence cognitive activity. If you feel stress from lifestyle changes or long hours at work, you may find yourself procrastinating more and getting less done. </li><li class="mc-my-4"> 4. Low energy levels: Mental fatigue can significantly affect your physical health, especially when <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/sleep-deprivation' target='_self' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/sleep-deprivation","linkCopy":"sleep deprivation","category":null}'>sleep deprivation</a> is causing this brain fog. You will sense yourself moving slower and feeling more lethargic. </li><li class="mc-my-4"> 5. Moodiness: Mental fatigue can be emotionally exhausting, which means we may be more testy than usual with family members, friends, and loved ones. </li><li class="mc-my-4"> 6. Physical exhaustion: Fatigue symptoms also include extreme tiredness. Accomplishing important tasks will seem more complicated, and you will have less desire to go to the gym, take walks, or leave the bed. All physical activity that once seemed doable will now feel more challenging. </li><li class="mc-my-4"> 7. Poor decision-making: Logic and emotion play equal roles in making decisions. Mental fatigue diminishes the ability to think clearly, and level-headed <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/decision-making-styles' target='_self' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/decision-making-styles","linkCopy":"decision-making","category":null}'>decision-making</a> may suffer. </li></ol>

7 Signs of Mental Exhaustion

Mental fatigue affects your psychological and physical well-being, so it is important to practice self-care. Consider the following methods to overcome mental fatigue:<ul class="mc-m-4 list-styled"><li class="">Engage in activities that bring you joy. Practice hobbies that take your mind off stress so you can greet work with a refreshed and clear mind each day. </li><li class="">Find a work-life balance. Set <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/boundaries-at-work' target='_self' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/boundaries-at-work","linkCopy":"work boundaries","category":null}'>work boundaries</a> to maintain a healthy <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/work-life-balance' target='_self' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/work-life-balance","linkCopy":"work-life balance","category":null}'>work-life balance</a>. Keep set working hours and take the time to decompress after work. </li><li class="">Get outside. Take a break from work or a creative project, and go outdoors for fresh air to help clear your head. Spending time in nature can be rejuvenating. </li><li class="">Practice breathing exercises. Mindfulness or <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-long-should-i-meditate' target='_self' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-long-should-i-meditate","linkCopy":"meditation","category":null}'>meditation</a> practices can help you ease in and out of your workday to help prevent mental fatigue. Deep <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/box-breathing-guide' target='_self' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/box-breathing-guide","linkCopy":"breathing exercises","category":null}'>breathing exercises</a> can also help you manage stress throughout the day. </li><li class="">Seek professional help. If you experience chronic mental fatigue, you may need psychiatry intervention. A mental health professional can help you identify ways to set personal and professional boundaries to help ease mental fatigue. </li><li class="">Socialize with others. Having social support can help you overcome mental tiredness. Spend time with friends, family, or coworkers after work hours to give yourself a break. </li></ul>

How to Overcome Mental Fatigue

Figuring out what you want to do next and how to get there? Learn how to embrace your passions with a <a href='https://www.masterclass.com' target='_self' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com","linkCopy":"MasterClass Annual Membership","category":null}'>MasterClass Annual Membership</a> and find the grit to take control of your life with exclusive access to video lessons taught by the world’s best, including Robin Arzón, Elaine Welteroth, Hillary Rodham Clinton, RuPaul, and more.

You’re Worth It

A lack of a work-life balance, not getting enough sleep, and job burnout are just three common causes of this form of brain fog, which can have many side effects if untreated, including emotional exhaustion and chronic stress.

A lack of a work-life balance, not getting enough sleep, and job burnout are just three common causes of this form of brain fog, which can have many side effects if untreated, including emotional exhaustion and chronic stress.
