The exhaustion hidden behind hyperactivity

---

Extract from the article: In a society that glorifies productivity, being constantly busy has become a symbol of success. However, this frantic race for activity can exhaust the body and unbalance the mind. Constant overload, whether mental or physical, can lead ...

---

In a society that glorifies productivity, being constantly busy has become a symbol of success. However, this frantic race for activity can exhaust the body and unbalance the mind. Constant overload, whether mental or physical, can lead straight to professional exhaustion or burnout.

Society glorifies and reveres activity and overactivity. Proclaiming oneself to be “active” has become a symbol of social status in modern culture. Our brains are bombarded with stimuli and information : smartphones, social media, news feeds, podcasts, emails, and data flood us throughout the day.

According to neuroscientists, multitasking releases stress hormones (adrenaline, cortisol), leaving the body in a state of constant tension, close to alertness. We switch to “autopilot” mode, jumping from one task to another, becoming increasingly distracted and less and less connected to ourselves.

Feelings of not having enough time, lack of concentration due to overloaded schedules, and feeling overwhelmed are common symptoms.

Stress and exhaustion

Overwork can lead to high levels of stress. Being in a state of fight or flight has negative effects on the body, including increased blood pressure, sleep disorders, blocked libido, and a weakened immune system. Psychologically, stress is linked to anxiety, depression, anger, and burnout. Research conducted in 32 countries has revealed that one in five otherwise healthy adults feels “exhausted.” Many describe a constant state of low energy that disrupts their daily lives, an inability to concentrate, and waking up without feeling refreshed.

Signs of exhaustion include memory problems, difficulty making decisions, feelings of detachment, and irritability.

Contributing factors

Constant busyness can be an unconscious strategy to escape one's emotions or avoid certain problems. It provides temporary relief, thanks to endorphins, but fuels an addictive cycle: we keep doing more and more, until we no longer know how to stop.

Hyperactivity is sometimes used to avoid confronting oneself. It becomes a way to feel useful, competent, or even worthy of love or attention. Other factors come into play, such as perfectionism, the need to please, fear of delegating, a performance-based education, or a chaotic family environment during childhood. Maintaining this pace with age and the increasing demands of life is a challenge.

We begin to feel overwhelmed and that we have to make concessions.

Tips for overcoming exhaustion

It is essential to ask yourself: what happens when you are not busy? What are you trying to fill by doing too much? What are the effects on yourself or others?

These reflections can help you identify healthier solutions. It may be helpful to slow down gradually, lighten your schedule, and leave room to breathe during the day.

Saying no becomes a necessary act, and it can be done gently, with simple phrases such as, “I'll get back to you,” or “It's not possible for me this time.”

Learning to do nothing for ten minutes, then gradually extending that time, allows us to embrace calm. This also means avoiding distractions, putting down your phone, awakening your senses, and focusing on slow breathing to calm the nervous system and reduce stress.

It's important to check whether your to-do lists and expectations of yourself are realistic, and to reflect on the roles you've allowed yourself to be trapped in.

Getting ahead of your schedule, getting up earlier, stopping rushing around, avoiding adding drama to your daily life, and watching the language you use are all actions that promote balance. Sometimes the mind demands more and more, like an authoritarian boss: but a thought is not an order, and not everything has to be done immediately. Good quality sleep can also be achieved by establishing a peaceful routine, without screens or stimulants, and by going to bed at a regular time. Identifying the main sources of stress and overload allows us to consider adjustments, reduce unnecessary energy expenditure, and recreate mental space.

Finally, recognizing your needs and expressing them, including in a therapeutic setting, paves the way for a better relationship with yourself. Instead of staying busy to avoid yourself, it becomes possible to start getting to know yourself.

Raymond DZAKPATA

Source: “rte.ie,” Ireland