The Effects of Mental Load

Mental load refers to the labor that goes into keeping our daily lives moving along. This work is often invisible to others, however, it is necessary to run a household. Examples of mental load can include paying bills, meal planning, grocery shopping, scheduling routine appointments, keeping up on household repairs, remembering birthdays and anniversaries…. Truly the list can go on and on. 

While all these tasks are necessary, they are often invisible to those around us. Those closest to us appreciate the fruits of our labor, however, that doesn’t mean they are aware of all that goes into making it happen every day. 

Is Mental Load Hurting You? 

If you have a heavy mental load the above likely resonates with you. Unfortunately, many of us that have the lion’s share of these responsibilities can get used to it and then wonder why we are feeling so overwhelmed. 

Carrying a heavy mental load can impact your physical and mental health. If any of the following sounds familiar, you may need to cut back on the cognitive and invisible labor you are taking on. 

  1. Increased Anxiety: If you have more things on your plate than a reasonable human can accomplish you are bound to feel anxious. 
  2. Overwhelm and Burnout: We can only feel overwhelmed for so long before we begin to burnout. 
  3. Not Sleeping? Having a high mental load can keep you awake at night, ruminating on all you have to do and worrying you may forget something. 
  4. Dreaded Decision Fatigue: We can only make so many decisions before we are exhausted and struggle to make more. 
  5. Complicated Relationships: If you take on most of the invisible labor it is only a matter of time before you begin to feel frustrated and resentful. 
  6. Exhaustion: Taking on all this responsibility leads to exhaustion over time. 

Decreasing Your Mental Load

If  you feel that your mental load is impacting the quality of your life it doesn’t have to stay that way. You are not powerless over this, you can decrease your mental load and begin to feel better both mentally and physically. 

If you are trying to decrease your mental load you can; 

  • Ask for help
  • Set limits
  • Decide what you will and will NOT do for others
  • Write down what you need to do so you don’t have to keep thinking about it over and over
  • Practice regular self-care
  • Find a therapist that can help you with the above and more!

Protecting Your Peace

You are not alone in tackling and minimizing your mental load. Your mental health matters and you deserve to feel better. Counseling can help you to learn ways to set boundaries and limits with your time and your energy. 

Having a heavy mental load over time can also lead to symptoms of anxiety and depression. If you find that  your symptoms are so intense that you struggle to use skills you learn in therapy, psychiatric medication management may be a helpful addition to your treatment plan. 

Carolina Counseling Services contracts with skilled licensed therapists and psychiatric medication management. If you are looking for exceptional therapy and/or psychiatric care look no further than CCS in Fuquay-Varina, North Carolina. 

Providers are in network with most major insurances including Aetna, Aetna State Health Plan, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina (Blue Cross NC), Tricare, Medicaid and more. 

Call CCS today to get started!

Jaime Johnson Fitzpatrick LCMHCS, LCAS is one of the Owners and Vice Presidents of Carolina Counseling Services. She is a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor and Licensed Clinical Addictions Specialist in the State of North Carolina as well as a Licensed Mental Health Counselor in State of New York. Jaime is also certified in Dialectical Behavioral Therapy and utilizes various other approaches in her practice.