12 Signs You Need a Mental Break

Many of us are feeling mentally burned out during the pandemic, but even a worldwide illness can’t be blamed for all of our stress. Whether its work, family, or relationship drama, there are plenty of reasons why our stress or anxiety levels spike. When too much is on our plate, certain things start to shift in our routine. It can be exhausting, and a big sign that you need to take a step back and practice some self-care, letting your mind recover.

1. You can’t sleep

If you can’t sleep and there’s a random bout of insomnia going down, it could be a big red flag. When we’re overwhelmed or stressed, it’s common to lose sleep. This is especially true if your sleepless behavior is causing issues in your ability to function.

2. Restless feelings

Besides not being able to sleep, burned out folks are restless and find it hard to sit still or calm your brain. This commonly happens when you don’t take enough breaks at work, or jump from project to project at high speed all the time. It’s important to slow down and take a beat — consider active meditation like coloring or yoga.

3. Unusual loss or increase in appetite

If you feel way hungrier than usual and are constantly snacking or looking to binge on junk food all the time, it may be a sign that you need to take a break. On the other end of the spectrum, if you’re eating less than usual, skipping meals, or never have an appetite, that’s a common side effect of stress.

4. Lack of motivation

Feeling less motivated than you are regularly? Perhaps you’re not enjoying work anymore, or no longer enjoying activities that you once gained pleasure from. This is a sign of burnout. If you simply can’t muster the energy or motivation, it means that your high stress levels can turn previously pleasurable activities into monotonous chores.