Mental Fatigue: Mental fatigue is often the first negative effect you will notice from overtraining. Don’t confuse this feeling with feeling tired during your workout – that’s normal. You should start to feel concerned when mental fog becomes a constant problem. It’s a sign from your brain that your body can’t maintain its current activity level. Here are some common symptoms of mental exhaustion from overtraining:
▪ Difficulty falling asleep and waking up
▪ Trouble performing simple everyday tasks
▪ Short-term memory loss
▪ Irritability and short temper
▪ Lack of motivation
▪ Anxiety and depression
A stressful workout routine could be the culprit if these symptoms occur regularly. Adjust your training regime to make each workout more enjoyable so your mind can keep up.
Physical Burnout: Once the symptoms of mental fatigue emerge, you can expect physical burnout to follow. Your body reaches a tipping point and starts to falter, which leads to a decline in performance and an increased risk of injury. These adverse effects have short- and long-term implications:
▪ Short term – reduced strength, stress injuries, frequent aches and pains
▪ Long term – chronic health issues, poor metabolism, increased cardiovascular stress
Overworking an already burned-out body often leads to stress injuries like sports hernias, sprains and hairline fractures. You’re more prone to chronic issues such as arthritis and heart disease in the long run. Help your body recover after each workout with plenty of food and rest to prevent physical burnout. Static stretching also helps.
