As the year winds down, you might find yourself feeling unusually drained, struggling to fit in enough rest despite your best efforts. It’s important to distinguish between ordinary tiredness and fatigue—while a nap or short break can resolve the former, fatigue is a deeper, more persistent issue that demands a more holistic approach.
“Mental fatigue, or brain fog, sets in when the brain’s energy reserves are depleted,” explains Joha-Nita Jordaan, Clinic Divisional Manager, Dis-Chem. “Unlike physical exhaustion, which primarily affects the body, mental fatigue impacts your mood, concentration, and decision-making abilities. You may notice increased forgetfulness, distraction, irritability, or stress—all signals that your brain needs time to recharge. Left unchecked, this can take a toll on your physical health as well.” Jordaan highlights the causes of mental fatigue and outlines key differences to help you identify whether you’re simply tired or experiencing deeper fatigue.
Common causes of mental fatigue:
- Poor sleep quality, which prevents your brain from fully resting and recharging
- Chronic stress, often triggered by high-pressure jobs, life challenges or procrastination
- Work-related stress, including long hours and demanding workloads
- Financial stress, which can be overwhelming and mentally draining
- Lack of work-life balance, leaving little time for rest and personal activities
- Caregiving responsibilities, for loved ones who are ill or have special needs
Physical symptoms:
- Stomach aches
- Difficulty sleeping
- Persistent headaches
- High blood pressure
Warning Signs of Underlying Mental Health Conditions (e.g., Anxiety and Depression):
- Feelings of isolation and disconnection
- Difficulty following complex ideas
- Increased irritability and anger
- Unexplained anger
- Decreased performance at work or school
- A lack of motivation for physical activities
Jordaan adds, “It’s not uncommon for people to feel mentally fatigued from time to time, however, if it lingers, it can lead to significant challenges in relationships and daily life. Stress, a key contributing factor, is the body’s natural reaction to new, overwhelming, or scary situations experienced by almost everyone.
Getting the right amount of sleep, drinking plenty of water to flush out toxins, eating healthy nutritious meals like iron-rich foods that contain complex carbohydrates, healthy fats, and proteins, participating in activities like yoga to reduce stress, limiting alcohol intake, smoking and regular exercise can assist in combatting mental fatigue.”
Early detection of mental fatigue can prevent it from deteriorating into more serious conditions like chronic fatigue syndrome or depression. Jordaan says depression is a severe mental health order that causes persistent low moods and can be extremely debilitating and is a condition that needs to be diagnosed and treated by a qualified health professional.
“If left unchecked, mental fatigue can increase the risk of depression, highlighting the importance of addressing it early,” she concludes, urging individuals to seek professional advice to prevent it from escalating into a more serious condition.