Living in this current day and age can take a toll – long-term stressors in jobs, current affairs, and social engagements can all contribute to a state of physical and emotional exhaustion that’s also known as burnout. There are some common symptoms to look out for when it comes to burnout that are anxiety, fatigue, and lack of sleep, a feeling of emotional numbness, and a lack of motivation. This level of chronic stress can also cause intestinal issues and stomach aches.
So, if this feels like something that you’re experiencing or you can spot some of these signs in someone you know, then read on for some tips on recovering from burnout.
1. Find the source of your burnout
Before you can begin to help yourself recover, you need to identify what’s causing your burnout and work to tackle that first. Take time to assess your situation and see who you can reach out to for help. Ask yourself what you can do in this situation – can you draw on experience to help you? Can you find hope in this situation? Once you’ve identified what’s causing your burnout, you can work to fix it.
2. Start talking
Communicating with someone you trust can make a huge difference. While it can feel daunting and overwhelming, it can help you feel less alone and help you to find solutions to what you’re dealing with right now. If you need to, contact a professional who can help you open up and talk about what you’re experiencing. If you’re worried about leaving home, you can speak to online therapists who are trained in burnout.
3. Practice compassion towards yourself
Treat yourself with kindness and compassion. When you’ve reached this point, it can feel like you’re not worth help or you’re unable to help yourself, but by changing the way you speak to yourself then you can make a huge difference.
4. Remember what makes you happy
You may have lost track of what you enjoy and what makes you feel good. Burnout can make you feel like you’ve lost your passion, but it’s possible to reconnect with those things that you enjoyed. Create a list of things you’ve enjoyed – it can be as small as crafting at home with your favorite paper and red liner tape, or as big as taking long walks with a friend in the park or playing your favorite sport.
5. Begin mindfulness
This is a practical way to help you deal with burnout. By reconnecting with yourself through mindfulness, you can gain perspective, help manage your emotions and radically care for yourself. If mindfulness and mediation are something you’re familiar with, then it’s time to start practicing again. If you’re new to this, then apps such as Headspace and Calm can help.
Hopefully, you have found a few helpful tips for how you can recover from burnout. It can be an incredibly trying time, but there’s light at the end of the tunnel and you’re more than capable of recovering.
