Immune System

Mental fatigue can affect your appetite in different ways. You may snack more than normal and not pay attention to what you eat. Stress can also make you crave sugary, salty, or fatty foods. Or you may not be hungry at all.

Mental fatigue triggers your sympathetic nervous system. That's your "fight or flight" mode. Anxiety is an alarm that tells you something is wrong. If you’re always mentally exhausted, you might start to feel panicked or worried all the time. That often happens alongside symptoms of depression.

You may start to drink or use drugs more than normal. Mental fatigue can take an even harder toll on those who already have a substance use disorder. Experts think that's because drug addiction changes parts of the brain that help you manage stress and control impulsive behavior.

This can look like mind wandering or drowsiness. It makes it hard to pay close attention to what you're doing, and you may not react to things very fast. That can be dangerous in certain situations, such as driving. Mental fatigue is linked to car wrecks.

Mental fatigue can put you in a bad mood. You may be short-tempered or irritated, snapping at people more often. It's harder to control your emotions when you're mentally tapped out.

It's like traditional in-person counseling, just through video. It's a convenient way to talk to a mental health professional from wherever you're located. This can be helpful if you have a busy schedule or live in a rural area. And it may cost less if you don't have insurance. Make sure the therapist is licensed. Many states have online directories.

These are a good option if you don't have health insurance or much money to spend on therapy. The amount you pay is based on your income. You can search online to find a health center near you.

It affects your body as well as your mind. If you're lonely, you may start to feel bad about your life and get depressed. And depression can be isolating, so you start to feel even worse. If you have symptoms that are severe or last more than two weeks -- including feeling down or hopeless, less interest in things you usually enjoy, low energy, sleep problems, or appetite changes -- get help. Tell your doctor or call a counselor.

You're more likely to light up when you're lonely. But this habit is bad for you from head to toe. Smoking is linked to diabetes, heart disease, and lung illnesses, and it affects nearly every organ in your body. Some people reach for a cigarette when they're stressed. If that's you, talk with your doctor about how to quit and find other ways to manage stress. Even if it takes more than one try to kick the habit, it’s worth it. Keep at it!

If you're lonely for a long time, it may to make it harder for your body to fight sickness. Part of the reason for this may be that loneliness triggers some of the hormones your body makes when you're under stress. And that can dim how well your immune system works, too. Many other things also affect how well your body defends itself. Your doctor can help you pinpoint what changes might help.