Does anyone else feel mentally exhausted even when nothing is particularly wrong?

[BetweenTheThoughts]

Recently I’ve been feeling completely drained by the end of the day, even when nothing particularly stressful has happened. I’m not necessarily feeling sad or anxious, just mentally exhausted and wanting to switch off from everything.
I sometimes wonder if constantly being on our phones, thinking about work and dealing with everyday life means we don’t notice how mentally tired we are until it really catches up with us.
Does anyone else get like this? Have you found anything that genuinely helps you feel mentally refreshed?

Yep

Meditation helps but interested in other ideas too

I'm feeling a bit drained, a bit confused about something and just a bit not myself today! I think it's the weather!

I don't sleep well (never have) so I tend to listen to Smooth radio overnight or white noise occasionally. I find sea waves very relaxing!

Yes!

Yes I’m in a permanent state of mental exhaustion. Avid reader and degree in English lit and can’t even read a book or concentrate on tv most days :(

I find going outside really really helps. I do limit some of the information streams too. I have a Radio 3 habit which soothes me too.

I think you're right about being on our phones all the time...constant information overload and knowing we're at the beck and call of of calls, texts and notifications all the time.

I bought myself a 'dumb phone' a few weeks ago and this weekend I switched my smart phone off on Friday afternoon and back on a few hours ago. I'm usually glued to the bloody thing and I was surprised how easy it was to go without it when it was completely switched off.

I don't think the heat is helping either though.

@WyrdHag I've been considering this. Do you switch your sim card between phones so you're reachable on the same phone number?

Sorry, to answer the original question, yes, I've been feeling like this lately. It feels like the beginning of burnout for me so I'm just being aware of it, trying to be more boundaried and not letting my self-care (ie. sleep, good food etc) slip.

No, I bought a cheap Nokia from Argos with £10 PAYG on it.

My elderly mum, my daughter and mum's emergency helpline people have the number and know to call it if they can't get hold of me on my main phone and it's an emergency.

I find even having it in another room
is too distracting and it's way too easy to pick it up first thing in the morning and go down a rabbit hole, especially at the moment while it's the summer holidays.

This weekend I've read a whole book and a bit of another. Listened to an audiobook and a podcast and done some painting, sewing and crochet. Had breakfast in the garden with a couple of magazines instead of scrolling. It's been amazing.

I think we're so busy working and being sucked it by nonsense on the internet that it's really easy to forget who we are and how we actually enjoy spending our time.

@WyrdHag thank you, might try it. That sounds like the perfect weekend!

And yes, totally with you on it being in a different room not making much difference. The rabbit holes and quick check of instagram are too tempting.

I've started walking for 1.5 hours first thing as frequently as I can. Massive help as it defrazzles my brain and improves my mood.

Ps no noise.no phone only a bottle of water for company!

Yes what you describe is very common.

Switching off, rest, meditation, nature, craft, art, exercise all help.

Yes, it's the weather. For some people their homes haven't cooled down enough since the first heatwave. My bedroom has been consistently higher than outside and I can't seem to manage to make it cooler which is affecting my sleep and therefore my energy and thought processes.

God yes. I came to the board as I was going to post about myself and just needing a chat, but I think you've summed up how im feeling.
I'm so bloody tired.
My life is very draining and I have very little support. I managed to come off my antidepressants a few months ago but Ive asked the drs if I can restart.
For the first time in my life I think about not being here. Not that I feel that I would do anything to make that happen, I do feel like I have nothing good/fun in my life.
The summer we've had, although the sun has been lovely. It occurred to me yesterday where I'd usually be pottering in my garden, I havent been doing it due to the heat/drought and I think it's really affected me.
Ive been so teary the past few days because Im just feeling so sad.

The

I go camping. Really basic camping. Just a comfy bed in my tent, a stove, a box of cooking stuff, a few clothes including my swimsuit, some books and a sketch pad. That's it. Very quiet campsites in nature, a few swims,, a few walks and I don't look at my phone at all.

At first I'm on pins. After a few hours I am a different person. Two days in it's Nirvana.

I'm quietly and slowly altering as much of my life as possible, stripping away everything that doesn't serve me to make it as much like permanent camping as humanly possible.

Your weekend sounds idyllic @WyrdHag

@DorsetMermaid as do your camping trips.

I'd quite like to go solo camping - just somewhere fairly nearby for 2 or 3 nights - but I'm a bit nervous about going on my own.

I'm quietly and slowly altering as much of my life as possible

I love this too. I'm changing my job next month for something still full time but slightly more flexible, and hope to be able to gradually reduce some of those hours with writing and creative side hustles over the next five years.