Mental Health Awareness Week is a good opportunity to talk about some of the warning signs that can show up when our mental health needs a little more care and attention. Anhedonia is a mental health red flag worth paying attention to, and it is one that really resonates with me.
It may not be a word you’ve come across before, but anhedonia is essentially the opposite of hedonia, which relates to pleasure. Anhedonia is when you stop getting enjoyment from things you would normally find pleasurable.
That might sound like:
“I usually love playing tennis, but I just can’t be bothered.”
“I normally enjoy taking the dog out, but it feels like a chore.”
“I used to look forward to seeing friends, but now I find myself avoiding social situations.”
It’s not always dramatic. In fact, that’s why it can be so easy to dismiss. It can feel like a quiet dulling of joy. The things that used to lift you, energise you or make you feel like yourself suddenly don’t have the same effect. That’s worth noticing.
Anhedonia as a warning sign
We all have days when we feel flat, tired or unmotivated. That’s part of being human. But when the loss of enjoyment starts to become a pattern, it can be an indicator.
I often talk about the importance of noticing the early signs, or red flags, that something needs to change. Anhedonia can be one of those indicators. The key is not to ignore it.
Ask yourself what you need
If you notice that you’re no longer getting joy from things you usually enjoy, try gently checking in with yourself. Ask:
- Do I feel rested?
- Am I getting enough sleep?
- Have I had a proper break recently?
- Do I need to step away from my usual environment?
- Do I need to make contact with another human being?
- Is there something I’ve been pushing through for too long?
These questions aren’t about judging yourself or trying to “fix” everything immediately. They’re about paying attention.
Often, the earlier we notice the signs of stress, burnout or a decline in our mental health, the more options we have. Small changes can make a meaningful difference when we catch ourselves before we reach the point of overwhelm or burnout.
Don’t dismiss your red flags
When we’re busy, it’s tempting to push through. We tell ourselves we’re just tired. We assume things will get better after the next deadline, the next meeting, and we keep pushing, waiting for the next holiday, the next quiet patch.
Your red flags matter.
Losing joy in the things that normally nourish you is information. It’s a signal. It’s an invitation to pause and ask, “What do I need right now?”
That might mean prioritising sleep and going to bed 30 minutes earlier, taking a lunch break away from your desk, reconnecting with someone you trust, getting outside, changing your routine, moving your body a little more, or seeking professional support if things feel persistent or difficult to manage.
There’s no shame in needing support. Mental health, like physical health, needs care, maintenance and attention.
What are your red flags?
Mental Health Awareness Week is a useful reminder to think about your own personal warning signs. What are the little signs that the body and mind send to you?
For some people, it might be anhedonia. For others, it might be irritability, poor sleep, withdrawing from people, struggling to concentrate, or feeling unusually overwhelmed by things that would normally feel manageable.
The more familiar you become with your own red flags, the easier it is to respond early.
So this week, take a moment to reflect: What are the signs that you need to prioritise something else in your life?
And if one of those signs is that you’re not finding joy in the things you usually love, don’t ignore it. Pay attention, get curious, and take one small step towards giving yourself what you need.
Take action this Mental Health Awareness Week
The theme for this year’s Mental Health Awareness Week is “Take Action”, a message designed to encourage taking action to support good mental health. Even small actions can help us feel more hopeful.
So, whether it’s taking action for yourself or for someone else, the important thing is to start somewhere.
That might mean noticing your own red flags earlier. It might mean checking in with someone who seems a little quieter than usual. It might mean making a small change to protect your energy, your recovery or your resilience.
If you’d like a practical place to begin, explore our 12 Stages of Burnout resources, which offer advice for each stage of burnout, including what you can do for yourself and how you can support someone else.
