We’ve been in a global pandemic for about 18 months now and it has left us all feeling drained. Some of us got stuck working from home indefinitely, trying to juggle childcare with the zoom meetings, while others lost their jobs entirely and had to start over from scratch. No one has been left unscathed by the pandemic and adding the climate crises as well as the sincere lack of human contact due to social distancing, people are struggling.
Our lives are so chaotic right now that sometimes we forget to take a step back to rest and take care of ourselves and our own mental health.
Though burnout is usually considered a type of work-related stress, the overwhelming situation that we have all found ourselves in is a perfect storm for it. But what exactly IS burnout?
“Burnout describes the thoughts and feelings associated with feeling overwhelmed and fatigued by life circumstances,” says Rachel O’Neill, Ph.D., a practicing therapist and Director of Clinical Effectiveness for Talkspace.
“Burnout occurs when a person is chronically stressed or frustrated, leading to physical and mental fatigue and a sense of ineffectiveness and cynicism that can affect them in their personal and professional life,” says clinical psychologist Dr. Brian Wind, Ph.D., former co-chair of the American Psychological Association’s Advisory Committee on Colleague Assistance.
In short, burnout is a form of exhaustion as a result of prolonged emotional, physical and mental stress. When we become too overwhelmed and emotionally drained to keep up with life’s demands, that is burnout.
And while burnout isn’t considered a medically diagnosed condition, it can affect your physical and mental health if left untreated, including making pre-existing conditions worse.
What are signs of burnout?
Constant Exhaustion
It’s the most common sign of burnout, that 24/7 tiredness that doesn’t quit. You can also find it hard to be productive or to concentrate.
Constant Anxiety
Feeling tense and worried almost all the time. Anxiety can also manifest itself physically.
Trouble Finishing Tasks
Can’t bring yourself to wash dishes or do your laundry? Your never-ending chore list seems even more daunting than usual? This can be a sign that you are taking on too much.
Craving Sugar & Carbs
Burnout can be associated with low levels of serotonin and dopamine which carb and sugar-filled foods boost so we may want to eat anything that can help bring those levels back up.
Dissatisfied with Life
Feeling exceptionally angry and dissatisfied with your life can absolutely happen. You could be so mad you want to quit your job one day but beg for a promotion and more responsibility the next.
Now that you know how burnout can affect you, let’s talk about how to help you get to your best self.
How to get back on track after burnout:
Healthy Sleeping Habits
You need to prioritize rest over everything, yes, even washing the dishes or putting away laundry. The body cannot function effectively without adequate rest.
Here are some tactics to get a decent night’s sleep
Take Some Time Off
Take a few days off from work, school, whatever it is. Stay away from anything that will stress you out and focus on doing activities you find relaxing.
Refocus your priorities
Come up with a better routine to manage your tasks which can include daily to-do lists or delegating tasks to other parties where possible.
Do Self-Care Daily
Don’t wait until it’s too late, prioritise some time every day to take care of yourself. Dive deeper into the benefits of self-care and some ways to do that here.
Fix Your Diet
Everyone knows that saying “you are what you eat” right? You have to have a well-balanced diet to keep your mind right. The team at Total Holistic Center can help you do that with nutrition solutions that are designed for what your individual body needs..
Bonus: Talk to Someone
There is not always a quick fix to burnout, but seeking an overall wellness solution can be the first step to feeling better, and Total Holistic Center can help. We’ve helped thousands of clients in Boca Raton, Lake Worth, New York and Miami Beach (and across the nation virtually) enjoy the lives they deserve through solutions that are custom made for you. Click the button below to get started with a FREE one-on-one sitdown with us.
Have you experienced burnout in this pandemic? How have you managed to overcome it?
Photos:
Cover Photo by Uday Mittal on Unsplash