Overcoming Mental Exhaustion: Escaping Work and Building Diverse Mental Pillars

The Problem of Mental Exhaustion

"I'm so tired after work. All I want to do is watch videos." This is something I often hear from my friends and classmates in online communities.

Why does this happen? Besides the fact that some people work long hours and don't get enough rest, the main reasons are a lack of a sense of value, belonging, and emotional support.

Some people are really exhausted physically or mentally because of overwork. I once experienced this myself. After work, my head would be buzzing, and I didn't want to think about anything.

It's hard to feel a sense of achievement when you're just working for a company. And if you have annoying colleagues or a bad boss, it can make things even worse.

Solutions to Mental Exhaustion

1. Do Some Physical Work When Mentally Exhausted

When you're really tired, especially mentally, reading, watching videos, or studying aren't good options because they all involve taking in information. Even watching short videos doesn't really give your brain a break.

Instead, you can change the environment. Do some housework, organize your clothes, go for a walk (about 30 minutes), or do some light exercise after a meal. This can help you clear your mind and get rid of the "mental junk."

2. Do What You Love and Develop a Hobby

A real hobby is something that makes you happy just by doing it, not just because of the result.

Many people give up easily because they only care about the joy of getting results and the feedback of success. Once they face failure or setbacks, they can't keep going. This isn't really a hobby. Everyone likes success, right?

Try to find something that makes you happy while you're doing it. I'm sure there must be something. If you're not sure, think about what you liked to do when you were a kid.

3. Recreate a Sense of Value and Existence

If you can't find a sense of value at work, look for it elsewhere. For example, develop a hobby, start a side hustle, or do self-media.

I recommend starting a side hustle. You can make money, do self-media, start a business, or even start a startup.

When you can make money on your own, it means you're providing value to others and helping them. That's why they're willing to pay you.

If you don't know what to do, the easiest way is to help others.

4. Maintain a Healthy Lifestyle

Your body is the foundation. Your physical health can affect your mood and state.

From January to February 2025, I was often sick. During that time, my mood and state were not good, and I couldn't concentrate. It had an impact on my work and life.

Health is the most important thing. Without good health, nothing else matters.

I'm trying to lose weight now. I go to bed early and get up early, and I have a physical examination every year. I've also bought insurance.

The most effective way to stay healthy is actually free - it's a good lifestyle. But it's also "expensive" because it's hard to maintain.

5. Have a Good Intimate Relationship

This might be the hardest thing to achieve.

Why? An intimate relationship usually involves family, partners, or very close friends.

Let's start with family. Most young people aren't very close to their parents. They don't talk to each other often, and it's rare for them to share everything.

The reasons could be that they're too shy to express themselves or they're afraid of not being understood. They might even be criticized or not recognized.

A relationship with a partner seems to be the only option. But aside from the hundreds of millions of single people, it's not easy to find a partner who understands and supports you. And once you have a family, there are even more problems.

Why is this the hardest? Because it's out of your control. You can control your own actions, like making money, exercising, learning, or having fun.

But an intimate relationship needs the effort of two people. The other person is an independent individual with their own thoughts and opinions. You can't control them.

So, having a good intimate relationship requires some luck and a lot of time to maintain.

Conclusion

If you can achieve these five things, you'll not only solve the problem of mental exhaustion but also improve your sense of happiness.

Happiness comes from having a good intimate relationship and having your own value pursuit without worrying too much about the present and the future.

Daily Reading & Writing by Xiaolu 2025.03.12【day555】