How often has this happened to you: one day, you're ready to move mountains and are full of enthusiasm, but the very next day you feel drained, like a squeezed lemon, with no energy left? Sound familiar? Do you also have this dangerous habit of depleting all your energy, giving your all even when it's not needed? And what's even more intriguing is that you don’t even notice it happening.
Unfortunately, we often realize too late that we're mentally exhausted. Why don't we have a safety system that would timely alert us about it? Why isn’t there a blinking light warning us when we're running low on energy? But things are much more complex, and we often miss even the most apparent signals our body sends us. Wouldn't it be easier to monitor our condition, recognize these signs in advance, and prevent burnout?
As a result, we spend much more energy on recovery—of our body, strength, nerves—because we push ourselves to the limit. We don’t think about what tomorrow will bring or care for our loved ones and friends. With our energy, we don't just replenish ourselves but everything and everyone around us. But what if it's the opposite? We're drained, powerless, irritable. What can we offer those around us then? You likely understand the implication.
So, how do you determine when you urgently need a "refuel"?
20 Signs of Accumulated Fatigue:
1. Irritability
It doesn't matter who irritates you—be it close friends, strangers, or even a painting on the wall. It's the first and primary sign that something is amiss.
2. Poor Sleep
The moment your head hits the pillow, a swarm of thoughts immediately invades. You can’t fall asleep for a long time, and even if you do manage to sleep through the night, you wake up feeling broken and tired. Quality rest remains elusive. Persistent poor sleep is always a sign of exhaustion.
3. Tired Appearance
A dimmed gaze is the first thing that catches the eye. One can easily gauge our emotional state by our outward appearance.
4. Disordered Eating
You either eat too much, binge, consume everything mindlessly, or on the contrary, constantly go on strict diets and then break them. Not only is this threatening to your health, but it can also lead to unnecessary weight gain.
5. Lunch Didn’t Taste Good
Using the same recipes, but the taste is completely different. Cooking food only brings disappointment and further spoils the mood. We can't perform or give our best when there's nothing left to give.
6. Forgetting Meals
You skip breakfast, lunch, or dinner. Overall, food has become a secondary concern. There always seem to be more pressing matters at hand. No food means no energy. You're not caring for your body, and sooner or later, it will begin to malfunction.
7. Used to Love the Plants on Your Windowsill?
Now, no matter what you plant, everything withers and dries up, and you even forget to water those poor plants.
8. Spouse
Remember them? Arguments between you happen more frequently. Even mere touches irritate you, not to mention making love. It's especially alarming if you always had the desire, and suddenly it's gone. At this point, many make a mistake by forcing themselves into intimacy, but such behavior is fundamentally wrong. It only exacerbates the problem. It's better to take a conscious break, refrain, care for oneself, rest, and recharge.
9. Frequent Colds and Illnesses
This is a clear alarm bell from our body. It's the body's way of trying to reach out to us, shouting, "Hey, stop and take a break." Sometimes it's the only way to make you lie down and rest. Even headaches and facial breakouts are signs that it's time to start caring for yourself.
10. You're Lazy
You can't motivate yourself to do even the simplest tasks, like removing clothes from the washing machine. You get absorbed in your phone, but it's not the kind of rest you truly need.
11. Negative Mindset
Everything seems bleak in your mind. Notice that?
12. Mood Swings and Emotional Roller Coasters
Everyone becomes a target—children, husband, friends, relatives—even though they are not to blame.
13. No Desire to Socialize
Everyone has moments when they don't want to talk to anyone and just need some alone time. However, if this period stretches out and lasts more than a couple of days, then something is likely amiss.
14. You've Stopped Taking Care of Yourself
You don't even feel like bathing or applying cream to your face, let alone visiting a beauty salon. This is a serious issue. It's time to reflect on yourself.
15. Spending Not on Yourself
You get some money, head to the store, but instead of treating yourself, you buy gifts for everyone else. Nothing in the store appeals to you, none of the clothes fit right, and you don't even feel like buying cosmetics. Sound familiar?
16. Mirror
If earlier you looked at your reflection with a smile and admiration, now you might want to remove all the mirrors in the house just so you wouldn't see yourself. This is a direct reason to think about your inner state.
17. Restlessness, Anxiety, Panic
You can't relax. You feel the urge to control everything: at home, at work, with children, etc. On the flip side, you're engulfed by intense fear, and as a result, you end up doing nothing. It means you just don't have the resources to help others.
18. Dressing Style
Sportswear has firmly entered your life because it's more comfortable? It seems you might be on the wrong path.
19. Life Became a Race
You're always running somewhere. You push yourself with thoughts like, "I have to accomplish more; I'm not doing enough; I'm lazy; I'm already 30 and haven't achieved anything..." There are so many "musts" and obligations in your life, but often, you've imposed them on yourself.
20. I'll Do It Myself!
You take on too much, trying to do literally everything, necessary or not. But why? Learn to ask others for help. Learn to trust your loved ones, friends, and colleagues.
If even one of these twenty points describes you, it's urgently time to rest. You don't necessarily need a month-long vacation. You need to learn how to dedicate time to yourself, even during a regular evening. Let it be an hour or two spent quality time alone. Take a walk, have a bath, watch a movie or read a book, and most importantly, don't blame yourself for it, or the rest will be wasted.
Don't wait for society's approval if, for example, you want to go to the movies instead of spending Monday evening with your children. It's better to do it so that the next day you can delight your family with a good mood and energize everyone around you.
Don't wait until your body malfunctions, and you find yourself struck down with an illness. "Refuel" and "recharge." Think of a phone: if you don't charge it in time, it'll simply turn off and stop working. It's the same with us. We need to recharge in time before our battery runs out.
Right now, set aside 20 minutes for yourself. Put everything aside and treat yourself to a cup of coffee. Or, alternatively, take a short nap if you didn't get enough sleep last night. Add +10% to your "charge"!
