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Reading 3 min.
in collaboration with
Siyana Mincheva (Psychologist, psychotherapist)
Mental energy is precious. It’s what allows us to cope with everyday life, whether we’re at work, at home or with friends. But be careful, certain situations or behaviors consume energy and can exhaust you unnecessarily. Learn to recognize and avoid them, with the advice of Siyana Mincheva, psychologist.
Having trouble saying no, procrastinating, not listening to your own limits… These situations do not seem to have anything in common and yet: they are tiring for our mental energy. To avoid these situations or behaviors that waste our emotional battery, we still need to recognize them. Let’s take stock with Siyana Mincheva, psychologist.
Complex relationships (which are also often toxic)
Complex and toxic relationships are a source ofmental exhaustion. Indeed, far from being fulfilling, these relationships harm us. “To identify if a relationship becomes toxic there is a very first sign: when the other makes you feel guilty and the guilt takes up too much space” explains Siyana Mincheva. “There is also the case where the other demeans and devalues you, or plays the role of victim and/or executioner, using blackmail and manipulation.. In this case, no hesitation: you must take the necessary measures to get out of this relationship.
Permanent worry or hypervigilance
“It’s a state of stress, of control, which pushes us to react at any moment” defines the psychologist. “All this leads to physical and psychological exhaustion”. Our sleep is disrupted, our vitality weakens, we lose our appetite…”We are very quickly controlled by a harmful anxiety and it is important to correct the situation quickly” believes Siyana Mincheva.
Procrastination
We wouldn’t say it like that, but procrastinating is tiring for our mental energy. We constantly postpone what needs to be done, avoiding taking this responsibility. “It is important to call upon our courage and perseverance in order to tackle what seems too heavy or too hard to do.” adds the expert. “By starting little by little, which will make it easier to move forward, because after each small task done, you demonstrate to yourself that you are capable and your self-confidence is also restored.“.
Spending too much time on screens and networks
A brain exposed to screens for too long becomes exhausted and its cognitive functions are slowed down. “We lose energy by passing most of our time in front of screens” confirms Siyana Mincheva, “it also reduces our visual abilities and our mental flexibility.”.
Working too much and going beyond your own limits
“It’s a trap that leads us towards burnout, also known as burnout. burnout” adds the expert. “Over-prioritizing work and neglecting your needs can be costly, both emotionally and physically.”. Be careful not to take refuge in work to escape discomfort, because we risk trapping ourselves in our own suffering, warns the psychologist.
Having trouble saying no
Not knowing how to say no is actually a lack of assertiveness and a lack of self-confidence. “It is linked to internalized fears and the fact of not allowing oneself or not daring to defend oneself. Over time, this becomes a tiring process that costs us.” estimates the specialist.
Relational codependency
This is a feeling that can be found in different signs, such as:
- Having a tendency to only love people who need to be “saved”;
- Seek to maintain a relationship at all costs, whatever the efforts necessary to achieve it;
- Feeling guilty after asserting yourself or opposing others;
- Feeling excessive responsibility for the actions of others;
- Have a strong need for approval and recognition.
If you recognize yourself in these signs, it probably means that you are investing way too much mental energy in others. Gold recalls Siyana Mincheva, “thinking about preserving your mental energy is important, because it shows that you love yourself and care about your well-being”.