Constantly Feeling Drained? Blame Technology

By Brian Maynor

 

 

Constantly tired.  Easily catching colds that seem to take forever to get over.  Back and body aches.  Headaches or migraines.

These are all signs of fatigue that everyone has experienced at one point or another, and we usually turn to physical solutions to fix them like exercising more regularly, eating a better diet, taking vitamins or getting more sleep, but what happens when none of that works?

Mental fatigue is far more common today, but is often the last thing we consider as the cause of our physical symptoms.  So, what is mental fatigue and what causes it?

Mental fatigue is defined as extreme mental activity, sensory overload and hyper vigilance, which cause exhaustion.  In other words, it’s excessive mind and brain activity that manifests physically in the body.

When we stop to think about our constant connection to the world via email, TV, and the internet and how many access points we carry with us all the time it’s surprising we’re not all in sensory overload.  Phones are no long simply phones.  They are mini computers with email, internet, music, movies, games, news alerts, and social media streaming 24/7 and now we’ve connected them to watches for easier to access.  If we forget our phones, there is an immediate sense of panic and we rush back to get them because we fear being disconnected.

Life is chaotic, competitive and demanding, and the strain we impose on our mental and physical wellbeing can seem overwhelming.  Add the fact that it’s an endless cycle, and all hope can seem lost, but thankfully it isn’t.

Here are a few ways to break the cycle of mental exhaustion and regain your mental and physical vitality in the process.

Live only in the moment.  The misconception is that we can find more energy by doing more, but that simply isn’t logical.  The more we do the less energy we have, plain and simple.  So, the only way to regain energy is by doing less; yet it’s impossible for most of us to do nothing.  We either feel guilty or simply don’t know how to stop and enjoy being in the present.  Our minds are always racing and we’re more focused on hours, days, weeks or even the years ahead that the present just slips away.

Observe your breathing.  This is very popular meditation technique because it requires very little effort.  In fact, the only thing you have to do is pay attention to your breathing.  Whether it’s when you’re driving, falling asleep or going to the bathroom.  In those rare moments when we have no obligations, make the decision to simply observe how we’re breathing.  Most of the time a few deep breaths followed by steady, controlled breathing are all we need to re-oxygenate our brains and regain our focus.

Enjoy eating.  With all the negative information about food and how it can impact our health flooding the media, it’s easy to lose interest and excitement in eating.  Especially if we’re worried that enjoying a hamburger or an ice cream cone is going to require extra hours in the gym to offset.  We need to reset our perception of eating by going back to our childhood.  We ate regularly at least three times a day, around a table, and the only entertainment was the conversation.  This routine and practice of unplugging during meals helped us relax and recharge, and indulging in dessert was a no-brainer.  A piece of chocolate cake can have profound medicinal powers after all.

Get moving.  We all spend too much time sitting down.  Whether it’s in the car, behind a desk or in front of the television, most of our time is spent being sedentary.  In fact, we have to force ourselves to be active by going to the gym.  This doesn’t have to be the case.  There are plenty of ways to be active that don’t require a gym membership.  Dancing in the kitchen, working in the yard or walking around the neighborhood will all get your body moving and your heart rate up.

Don’t negotiate with your sleep.  Sleep deprivation is an implement of torture for a reason, and yet many of us inflict it upon ourselves daily.  While we may not be able to control the amount and quality of our sleep all the time, we should embrace the times we do to the fullest.  There is no denying the benefits of sleep, so if you find you’re losing it, catch up anywhere you can.

With the pressure to stay competitive and relevant in the workforce, have relationships and families, which require money to sustain, and the desire to stay up-to-date on current events around the world and socially, even when we’re physically relaxing our minds never get a break.  Mental exhaustion is no joke, and can affect us in physical ways, and the only effective way of combatting it is by unplugging from technology.  It may be hard, but doing nothing is the best medicine.

 

Click here or on the images below to learn more about the outfit.

Click here or on the images below to learn more about the outfit.

 

I am always curious to hear about your weekend wardrobe dilemmas and help make your work wardrobe pull double duty.  Email your questions, quandaries and conundrums to [email protected].  Also find each of these storyboards at http://brianmaynor.polyvore.com with links to purchase each item.

 

 

About Brian Maynor

Brian Maynor has built a reputation as one of the leading style coaches in the Southeast and is quickly expanding his eponymous company, BRIAN MAYNOR and his FIND, FLATTER & FLAUNT line of image consulting services. A professional with a fresh, upbeat and down-to-earth personality and boundless creative energy, he works frequently with with local celebrities; Fortune 500 companies and nonprofit organizations; modeling agencies; fashion designers; production companies; record labels; media and individuals. A regular contributor to various fashion blogs and online communities, Brian Maynor is one of the most trusted and recognized style experts in the region, utilizing his education and training as a broadcast journalist to serve as a style lecturer, emcee, and commentator for over a decade. He has appeared at fashion shows, expos, and charity fundraisers, as well as events with big brands like Banana Republic, Ann Taylor, Chico’s and Macy’s. His approach is innovative, creative and fashion-forward, balancing fresh, modern styles with classic pieces to keep one’s look grounded. To learn more, visit http://www.brianmaynor.com.

 

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