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Relaxing But Still Stressed? Why Your Brain Struggles To Switch Off?

Although the workday is over, but in most cases, the <span>brain</span> hasn’t heard the message. We closed the laptop, placed the phone next to us and sat on the sofa, but our brain is continuing to process our emails, plan deadlines for tomorrow, worry about money or think of things left undone. 

All this happens due to the fact that physical rest and mental rest are different phenomena. 

<h2>Why is it so hard for the brain to stop working? </h2>

If we are constantly faced with deadlines, notifications, multitasking and decision making, the brain spends more and more time processing the demands and keeping an eye on what needs to be done. <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-wellness/eye-twitching-is-it-just-stress-or-something-serious-article-156271965" data-type="tilCustomLink">Stress</a> stimulates the activation of those systems that make us alert and ready for actions. And the problem is that all this is becoming our normal state. 

Notifications may only worsen the situation. Each beep means that there is one more demand, and although we don’t answer at once, our brain is getting ready to do that. Over time, the border between "work hours" and "personal hours" becomes less and less distinct. 

It does not mean that the brain gets damaged or remains permanently activated by the <span>stress</span> response. It only means that a frequently demanded brain to remain alert may find it difficult to redirect its focus toward relaxing.

Also read: <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-news/canada-indefinitely-bars-assisted-dying-for-patients-with-mental-illness-shelves-plans-to-expand-eligibility-article-156294252" data-type="tilCustomLink">Canada Indefinitely Bars Assisted Dying For Patients With Mental Illness; Shelves Plans To Expand Eligibility</a> 

<h2>Is thinking about work outside work time causing <span rel="noindex">chronic stress</span> or <span rel="noindex">burnout</span>? </h2>

Yes, it can lead to such states. Psychological detachment from work in every research is always presented as a significant element of recovery. 

Thinking all the time about unfinished tasks, finances, or upcoming obligations leads to no real opportunity for psychological recovery. Constant worries and mental rumination cause arousal before going to bed and result in insomnia or poor sleep quality. 

Inadequate recovery may result in emotional exhaustion and poor functioning, but common stress cannot be automatically classified as burnout. <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-wellness/the-10-minute-silence-test-what-your-brain-reveals-when-you-stop-filling-every-quiet-moment-with-your-phone-article-156303089" data-type="tilCustomLink">Burnout</a> occurs only due to prolonged workplace stress and is characterized by feelings of exhaustion, mental distance from work, and inefficiency in work-related tasks. 

<h2>How, then, is it possible to turn off? </h2>

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It is not by trying to “stop thinking,” but by setting up circumstances in which the brain is able to change its gear slowly. 

Develop a transition from work to home – A walk, a change of clothes, taking a shower or listening to music can be a reliable indicator of the end of work. 

Set boundaries to notifications – Work notifications not required for the job don’t have to come along during your off time. 

Clear your mental to-do list – Before calling it quits for the day, jot down your unfinished tasks and what needs to be done the following day. 

Practice deliberate relaxation – Deep breathing, mindfulness, muscle relaxation exercises or just focusing on something enjoyable and engaging. 

And possibly, the most important one, protect your sleep. Spend some time unwinding instead of immediately going into bed with the stresses of the day. When it stops being occasional and affects your <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-wellness/can-dim-light-or-screen-glare-during-sleep-stiffen-your-arteries-what-the-science-says-article-156260643" data-type="tilCustomLink">sleep</a>, functioning, relationships and self-perception –that is when stress becomes an issue. 

Pervasive <span>anxiety</span>, irritability, <span>emotional fatigue</span>, <span><a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health/depression">depression</a></span>, lack of enthusiasm, bodily symptoms, and/or an increasing feeling of not being able to cope with anything are indications that one should seek professional help. 

We don't have to earn our relaxation by completing everything first. Sometimes, it is turning ourselves off that helps us come back tomorrow with a better head on our shoulders.

<strong><em>By Mehezabin Dordi, Clinical Psychologist, Department of Rehabilitation &amp; Sports Medicine, <span rel="noindex">Reliance Foundation Hospital</span></em></strong>

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Although the workday is over, but in most cases, the brain hasn’t heard the message. We closed the laptop, placed the phone next to us and sat on the sofa, but our brain is continuing to process our emails, plan deadlines for tomorrow, worry about money or think of things left undone. All this happens due to the fact that physical rest and mental rest are different phenomena. Why is it so hard for the brain to stop working? If we are constantly faced with deadlines, notifications, multitasking and decision making, the brain spends more and more time processing the demands and keeping an eye on what needs to be done. Stress stimulates the activation of those systems that make us alert and ready for actions. And the problem is that all this is becoming our normal state. Notifications may only worsen the situation. Each beep means that there is one more demand, and although we don’t answer at once, our brain is getting ready to do that. Over time, the border between "work hours" and "personal hours" becomes less and less distinct. It does not mean that the brain gets damaged or remains permanently activated by the stress response. It only means that a frequently demanded brain to remain alert may find it difficult to redirect its focus toward relaxing.Also read: Canada Indefinitely Bars Assisted Dying For Patients With Mental Illness; Shelves Plans To Expand Eligibility Is thinking about work outside work time causing chronic stress or burnout? Yes, it can lead to such states. Psychological detachment from work in every research is always presented as a significant element of recovery. Thinking all the time about unfinished tasks, finances, or upcoming obligations leads to no real opportunity for psychological recovery. Constant worries and mental rumination cause arousal before going to bed and result in insomnia or poor sleep quality. Inadequate recovery may result in emotional exhaustion and poor functioning, but common stress cannot be automatically classified as burnout. Burnout occurs only due to prolonged workplace stress and is characterized by feelings of exhaustion, mental distance from work, and inefficiency in work-related tasks. How, then, is it possible to turn off?                   It is not by trying to “stop thinking,” but by setting up circumstances in which the brain is able to change its gear slowly. Develop a transition from work to home – A walk, a change of clothes, taking a shower or listening to music can be a reliable indicator of the end of work. Set boundaries to notifications – Work notifications not required for the job don’t have to come along during your off time. Clear your mental to-do list – Before calling it quits for the day, jot down your unfinished tasks and what needs to be done the following day. Practice deliberate relaxation – Deep breathing, mindfulness, muscle relaxation exercises or just focusing on something enjoyable and engaging. And possibly, the most important one, protect your sleep. Spend some time unwinding instead of immediately going into bed with the stresses of the day. When it stops being occasional and affects your sleep, functioning, relationships and self-perception –that is when stress becomes an issue. Pervasive anxiety, irritability, emotional fatigue, depression, lack of enthusiasm, bodily symptoms, and/or an increasing feeling of not being able to cope with anything are indications that one should seek professional help. We don't have to earn our relaxation by completing everything first. Sometimes, it is turning ourselves off that helps us come back tomorrow with a better head on our shoulders.By Mehezabin Dordi, Clinical Psychologist, Department of Rehabilitation & Sports Medicine, Reliance Foundation Hospital

relaxing but still stressed? why your brain struggles to switch off?

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