Let's be honest—sometimes life just seems too much. You wake up worn out, your mind seems to be all over the place, and even the simplest tasks seem impossible. For instance, moving a mattress up a flight of stairs could seem heavy. 

Sound familiar? That is not just stress; it is also something else. That could be mental burnout.

Burnout feels like what?

 Burnout can be sudden and dramatic or obvious, but not always. Sometimes, it is as a result of a slow, gradual buildup, kind of sneaky. Many people are used to powering through situations that are deemed as ‘adult problems’ and hence don't immediately see them. 

Eventually, though, it begins to surface in forms such as:   

•   Even after a good night's slumber, occasional naps, and physical rest, you are always exhausted. 

•   Your mind drifts off easily, and you cannot concentrate in serious situations. 

•   You sense a numbness, as if you're simply following motions.

• Everything bores you or makes you furious, and little details set you off.

• You begin to stop caring about your job, projects, social life, and even personal care. This is not because you are being lazy, but rather, you're running low on motivation to be able to pursue these aspects well enough.

 What causes mental burnout?

 Because we are people, we are not designed to be "on" all the time. Eventually, our brains exclaim, "Enough!" as we continually juggle job, family, and obligations and pretend we are okay. 

Often, things such as insufficient sleep, constant stress to be successful, and emotional exhaustion add up. It becomes simple to burn out without even realizing it in today's society, where rest is viewed as a luxury.

 Things that cause mental burnout, supported by a study on the cause and effect of burnout by Sonali Channawar, include:

• Too much work and no rest.

• Overthinking situations and poor problem-solving.

• Consistent problems and hurdles, such as constant financial constraints.

• Social exclusion.

What helps with mental burnout?

 Good news, folks, burnout isn't everlasting. Still, you have to approach how to recover from burnout very seriously. The following tips are useful:

1. Own up to it. 

The first thing is to acknowledge and speak aloud (or to yourself): “I'm burnt out.” This process internalizes the fact that you're not damaged; you are just weary. That counts quite a bit in kick-starting your process because now you have a clear label of what you are dealing with.

2.  Remove the pressure.

 Quit pushing through all circumstances and allow it to flow naturally, even while taking breaks. 15 minutes of peacefulness is significant as long as it doesn't feel forced or plastic.

3.   Perform one small act of kindness for yourself.

While spa days and getaways are alright. Small acts matter too. One little, soft thing, such as a leisurely walk or an oddly satisfying YouTube video, does the magic perfectly. Something that is gentle, like gifting yourself flowers or simply extending your nap, also counts. 

4. Speak to someone. 

Find someone to talk to; it does not need to be a therapist. Just venting to someone you trust or even a total stranger can make a great impact. You don't need to carry everything alone, and as they say, a problem shared is a problem half solved. 

5. Cut the noise. 

Take a break from social media. Cancel messages; reject more items you cannot now manage, such as work overload that may lead you to carry work home. Guard your energy like it is gold-because it is.