Maybe you’ve been feeling completely drained for a while. But you’re not physically exhausted. Instead, you can’t help but feel like you’re emotionally tired. It’s like your “tank” is empty. You just can’t muster up the energy to go on. You’re bone tired, even when you spend most of your day doing nothing.
Perhaps you feel exhausted because you have a demanding job that saps your emotional energy, or maybe caregiving responsibilities are taking up all of your time and leaving you with little energy for yourself. Or perhaps you’ve begun to suspect that you have depression, anxiety, or another mood disorder that has taken a toll on your energy levels.
No matter the roots of the problem, there are a few things you can do in the meantime to cope with emotional exhaustion and find some relief.
Stick to a Healthy Sleep Schedule
Although you might not think the roots of your exhaustion are physical, there’s a strong chance that a lack of quality sleep is contributing to the problem. When you’re physically tired, it’s hard to think straight. You might find yourself becoming irritable and frustrated more easily. You may lack patience with yourself and your loved ones. It’s tough to summon up the will to do much more than lay on the couch.
Aim to go to bed and get up around the same time each day. Plus, make sure that your phone is well out of reach when you do go to bed. Using screens late at night can interfere with getting quality sleep.
Eat Nourishing Food
The quality of your diet can leave you both emotionally and physically exhausted. If you’re low on any essential vitamins or minerals, you may need to tweak your diet or start taking supplements.
In addition to incorporating more protein, fresh produce, and healthy fats into your diet, you may want to talk to your doctor about having bloodwork done if you have concerns about potential deficiencies that may be affecting your mental health.
Spend Time with People Who Help You Recharge
Sometimes, emotional exhaustion is a result of spending time with people who need lots from you without giving you much back in return. What if you notice that you feel particularly exhausted after spending time with certain people? It may be time to adjust your boundaries.
You might need to dial back on the amount of time you spend with them, or have a discussion about what’s been upsetting you. In the meantime, try to socialize with people who make you feel energized and recharged.
Minimize Your Screen Time
It’s easy to overlook just how emotionally exhausting long amounts of screen time can be. But when you’re exposed to endless negative headlines and a barrage of social media content, it’s almost inevitable that you’ll end up getting overwhelmed.
Try cutting back on your screen time and making more room in your schedule for fulfilling activities. Reading a book, journaling, playing with your pet, or going for a walk might fit the bill.
Practice Mindfulness
Often, emotional exhaustion is a result of ruminating on the past or trying to predict the future. This can keep people trapped by depression over past mistakes, or anxiety over what might happen months or years from now.
All of this worrying can drain your energy. Therefore, practicing mindfulness and shifting towards living in the present can help you regain your energy. You may want to start meditating for just a few minutes per day to “reset” your perspective.
—
Are you struggling with emotional exhaustion? Women’s therapy can help you heal. Get in touch with us to schedule your first session.