It’s easy to feel drained and run-down in today’s fast-paced world.
Having a busy schedule is often something we’re proud of. But the truth is, tackling too much can take a toll on our mental health.
Feeling worn out and drained can leave you feeling unsatisfied, unhappy, and less motivated. It’s also a common output of today’s busy world.
If you’re tired of feeling drained all the time, recharge your mind with these six tips.
1. Recharge Your Body
Working out and exercising may feel like the last thing you have time for, but you’ll be surprised what a small workout can do for your mind.
When you’re feeling worn down, you’ll often find yourself camped out in front of your tv or in bed scrolling through Instagram, rather than moving your body.
Exercising can leave your body feeling energized and renewed. It also helps improve your mental health and clarity.
You don’t have to commit to a workout class or gym routine to experience the benefits, though. Simply taking a walk every morning or evening or riding your bike to the store is a great way to recharge your body and refresh your mind.
2. Meditate
There’s a reason why meditation is recommended repeatedly to help improve your mental health and wellbeing.
Stress is the leading cause of why we start to feel run down and drained, and meditating is an incredible way to reboot your mind. Meditation can also leave you feeling more energized and relaxed.
Meditation works by helping people stay mindful and present, allowing them to focus on simple breathing exercises in order to let go off all the stressors clouding their mind.
To try a simple meditation mindfulness exercise:
- Sit on the floor with your back straight
- Breathe in through your nose and place your hand on your stomach (you should feel your diaphragm expand)
- Exhale slowly
- Repeat, concentrating on your breathing cycle
Try starting and ending each day with meditation for enhanced benefits.
3. Change Your Routine
Getting stuck in a rut is never fun. Feeling like you’re going through the motions or robotically living your life can keep you feeling mentally drained and uninspired. Changing up your routine can fight back against mental fatigue.
If you’re a student or if you work from home, try spending the day studying or working in a coffee shop for a change of scenery that will refresh your mind. If you work in an office, try taking a walk on your lunch break or eating outside.
Small changes like taking your dog for a walk instead of just letting him run in the yard or cooking at home instead of ordering your traditional Tuesday night Chinese food, can help reignite your mind.
4. Go To Bed Earlier
Most of us aren’t getting enough sleep. Aside from causing us to feel tired in general, it’s also a huge contributor to our brain fog.
I get it — studying for your final, prepping your kids’ lunches, or finishing that presentation for your boss are all important tasks. But unless you start taking time for yourself and recharging each night, your brain fog is never going to clear.
Your body does amazing things while you sleep. Your brain flushes away toxins and performs other important maintenance that simply can’t happen while you’re awake.
We perform better when we’re well rested, so try committing to going to bed at least a half hour earlier than usual.
5. Take a Break from Technology
We all know staring at screens all day isn’t good for us. Yet, we still spend so much time on our laptops, phones, tablets, and watching TV. If you’re feeling mentally drained, it may be time to unplug.
Sure, you need your phone for work, but you can uninstall social media icons that might tempt you to spend hours on end scrolling through friends’ feeds, rather than actually enjoying your life.
Limiting technology as much as possible and getting outdoors can help refresh your mind.
6. Spend Time with Family and Friends
It seems everyone is always on the go these days, and finding time to really connect with close family and friends can be hard.
Make an effort to visit your loved ones more often or schedule weekly or monthly dinner dates. Talking to someone you care about and who values your time can help you instantly begin to feel more refreshed.
We come alive more in the presence of those who know us best and being around a great support system can help us feel more positive and motivated. Simply chatting over coffee or even on the phone could be all you need to clear your mental fog.
Give Your Mind a Recharge
It’s too easy to feel mentally drained in today’s world. From social media to demanding schedules to lack of sleep, focusing on your mental wellbeing can feel like less of a priority.
Tackling this stress, however, can help you begin to recharge your mind and spirit, which will, in turn, make you better at handling the daily tasks that seem so overwhelming now.
Try these techniques to reboot your brain so you can focus on what’s really important.