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Mental health

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

15 replies

BetweenTheThoughts · 09/08/2026 21:57

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?

OP posts:
JacknDiane · 09/08/2026 21:59

Yep

Ooih · 09/08/2026 23:31

Meditation helps but interested in other ideas too

SaraHoliday · 09/08/2026 23:37

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!

Stopsnowing · 09/08/2026 23:37

Yes!

Getalittle · 09/08/2026 23:38

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 :(

PermanentTemporary · 09/08/2026 23:40

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.

WyrdHag · 09/08/2026 23:43

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.

PorkPieForStarters · 09/08/2026 23:45

WyrdHag · 09/08/2026 23:43

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?

PorkPieForStarters · 09/08/2026 23:48

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.

WyrdHag · 09/08/2026 23:58

PorkPieForStarters · 09/08/2026 23:45

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

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.

PorkPieForStarters · Yesterday 15:42

@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.

Sagarmatha · Yesterday 15:45

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.

Sagarmatha · Yesterday 15:46

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

concertinacornflake · Yesterday 15:47

Yes what you describe is very common.

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

Springtimeinsunshine · Yesterday 16:17

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.

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