Whether it’s work, a lucrative or fulfilling side hustle, or a hobby — months or even years of repetition can make the most exciting things go dull. Even people who are passionate about their jobs tend to feel the effects of burnout with time. But that doesn’t mean you have to sit in the symptoms of burnout and do nothing about it. We’re here to guide you away from exhaustion and towards something invigorating. Recovering from burnout is possible.
If you’re feeling the mental and physical exhaustion that comes with burnout, look no further. Keep reading to learn the fundamental steps towards healing burnout, and you’ll be back on the road to happiness in no time!
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Acknowledge That You Are Burnt Out
Burnout is nothing to be ashamed of. Like, at all. In fact, think of it as if your body and mind are alerting you that something might be off. The very first step towards healing is to acknowledge that something is wrong, and then to formulate a plan to recover from burnout.
Symptoms like chronic fatigue, insomnia, loss of appetite, and even depression are associated with burnout — which can be surprising to some people. It’s not just a lack of motivation or procrastination – burnout goes much deeper. If any of these symptoms resonate with you and you’ve been stressed recently, then chances are that burnout is the culprit.
According to a recent Indeed survey, more than 52% of respondents are currently burnt out in one shape or form. That just shows how common burnout is in our fast paced world. Stars like Tiffany Haddish and Selena Gomez have needed time off to recover from burnout and regain their sense of passion, too.
Hell, even Beyoncé needed some time to recover from burnout. So if Beyoncé can take a break, so can you.
Control What You Can Control
Quitting your job or other responsibilities and going on a detox road trip isn’t possible for everyone. I get it – we all have to pay the bills and take care of those that we love.
While we can’t quit our jobs, there is nothing stopping us from identifying immediate changes that can lighten our loads. Too many things planned in your day? Instead of struggling and setting yourself up for failure, don’t feel bad canceling or rescheduling existing commitments. If these aren’t possibilities, at least ask for help from loved ones.
And, be honest when cancelling, rescheduling, or asking for help.
Almost everyone has been been challenged to recover from burnout at least once in their lives. Any genuine friend or family member would wholeheartedly understand your situation and respect your decisions.
Don’t wait for your burnout to suddenly disappear, because it very well might not. Be proactive and control what you can control.
Something as little as asking a friend to walk your dog can go a great length. The immediate relief and breather you get when you prioritize yourself — that feeling of euphoria is much needed and unrivaled by anything else.
Know Your Limits
Consistently taking on more than we can handle is a surefire way to develop burnout. Not only that, but not knowing our limits will keep us in a state of physical and mental exhaustion. So if you don’t start taking note of how much you can handle – you’ll never recover from burnout. It will stay with you for as long as you’ll let it.
When we’re overwhelmed and stressed, one of the decision-making components of our brains — the amygdala — chemically becomes clouded by excessive grey and white matter. Because of that, we often struggle to know our limits until everything spirals for the worse.
How do we identify our limits? Any productivity or organizing enthusiast is going to be happy when they hear this. We’re gonna make a list!
This list is going to cover all your responsibilities that you have, both professionally and personally. Really take the time to think about what you have to do on a day-to-day basis. The more detailed the list, the better results you’ll get from this exercise!
To start, choose a colored pen, and write down everything that you need to do at work and home. Then, in another color, continue the list with things that you feel obliged to do and that cause you stress. Now, just take a moment to look at your list, and all the extra and unnecessary stuff that you do everyday.
With this list, you’ll be able to more tactfully say “no” to your employer, friends, and family — and stay committed to honoring your personal limits. Eliminate a few commitments a day, or until you’ve omitted enough to not feel chronic stress. Then you will truly be on your way to recover from burnout.
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Talk to People You Trust
A support pillar can help you feel less alone and prop you back up to a healthy state. After weeks or months of burnout, we often lose ourselves to a perpetual state of exhaustion. It’s almost as if we’re in a state of hopelessness. Not the happiest thought, right?
So let’s not do that. Instead, let’s reach out.
By talking to a loved one, they’ll not only offer emotional support, but they can also assist to brainstorm practical solutions. An outsider perspective might just be the thing you need to recover from burnout!
And, who knows? Perhaps the person that you confide in has experienced burnout and can share how they were able to overcome it. Opening up about distress takes courage, but a loved one will understand, help, and love you unconditionally.
If you don’t have anyone immediately available to confide in, just know that we’re always here and ready to lend an ear.
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Self-Care and Happiness
When we’re burnt out — everything feels greyed out and awful. Trust me, I’ve been there myself.
To get the color back in your life, remember what makes you happy! By now, you should have been able to eliminate some unnecessary commitments in your day-to-day life. Now, replace that empty time with a breather and what you love to do.
Is it long walks on the beach with your spouse? Baking and dancing in your kitchen with some friends? Simply reading in a comfy bed? Whatever it is, take time to do it. Smiling and being happy are direct counters to stress — the root cause of burnout.
Make time for your happiness activities each week, and even after you’ve recovered from burnout. Laughter and fun go hand-and-hand as a preventative measure for future burnouts. You can do this!
Remember, if you are struggling to combat burnout on your own, there’s no shame in that. We have a team of life coaches with their master’s in counseling ready to help you fight this battle and get back to feeling like yourself. Sign up today and get started immediately!
