Feeling overwhelmed with life or work? Does it feel like time is moving too fast and you can’t catch up no matter how hard you try? You, my friend, might be experiencing burnout. Burnout is defined as the “physical or mental collapse caused by overwork or stress”. If you think you are experiencing burnout, here are some identifiers and solutions to tackle your burnout stage.
What causes burnout and how can I tell when I’m experiencing it?
Burnout can be caused by a number of things: feeling overwhelmed and exhausted from work, school, parenting, and much more. You can tell you’re experiencing burnout in the following ways:
- You’re more exhausted than usual, regardless of how much rest you get.
- You don’t have an interest in working or engaging in conversation.
- You feel useless.
- You’re easily irritated.
- You have trouble concentrating.
- You get constant stomach or bowel pains.
More severe signs that you are experiencing burnout are blurred vision, suicidal thoughts, constant headaches, drinking, smoking, and abusing drugs are. So, how can you overcome it?
1. Take a self-care day.
Take a day (or two) off of work, school, or life in general. Lay in bed and do nothing, go on a shopping spree, or go out of town. If you’re experiencing burnout due to work, USE. THAT. PTO! Your health should always be your number one priority.
2. Distance yourself.
It might sound selfish, but distance yourself from things that are causing you stress. Whether it’s from friends, coworkers, family, or even kids, give yourself space and time to regroup and work on improving your health before dealing with others.
3. Seek help
When it comes to burnout, you might feel that your problems are bigger than you. You might need further assistance in trying to get back to yourself. Seeing a therapist is one of the best ways to overcome burnout. There are several websites and apps that you can use to help find the perfect therapist for your burnout problems.
4. Meditate
Meditating is a good way to help manage your stress. It’s also a good way to release negative emotions and let your mind wander. Besides, with all of the stress going on, it’s only right to give yourself permission to let your mind wander elsewhere. Incorporate aromatherapy into your meditation session for a more calming atmosphere.
5. Paint
Painting is a soothing and stress-relieving activity to do. Paint an abstract piece or throw paint against a canvas. For a more tranquil atmosphere, play classical music while you’re painting.
6. Go to a rage room.
An underrated stress-relieving activity is smashing things in a rage room. Rage rooms (or smash rooms) have become a hot trend over the years and are arguably the best thing in existence. You (or a group of friends) can rent out a rage room for $25-$300. The best part? You’re legally breaking someone else’s property so no need to feel bad about any damages.
7. Watch your favorite feel-good movie/tv show.
Have you ever had a show or movie you’ve always wanted to watch but never had the time for? Well, find that favorite show or movie, make (or order) some food, relax, and enjoy. Some good shows and movies to get into are Abbott Elementary, Summer of Soul, Minx, Disenchantment, and The King’s Affection.
8. Masturbate
If you’ve been neglecting some fun time down there, then you might want to take some time to reconnect. Set the mood with some slow jams and dim lighting for a night of pleasure. Masturbation is a common technique for stress-reduction because of the release of endorphins.
9. Build/Join a support group
You’re not the only one who experiences burnout, so why not consider starting or joining a burnout support group? When you’re feeling up to it, branch out to other people, plan, and uplift each other through collaborative efforts in overcoming burnout.
10. REST!
I cannot stress this enough: GET YOUR REST! If you’re having trouble falling asleep, ZzzQuil, Melatonin pills/gummies, or aromatherapy can help you get a good night’s rest. Additionally, it’s a good idea to turn off all electronics to avoid any distractions that might occur. If your sleeping dilemma persists, prioritize seeing a doctor.
Getting over burnout will not happen in a day and there definitely isn’t a single solution to overcome it. It is best to take things one day at a time to process your emotions. Write down your feelings and behaviors throughout the day to keep track of your progress. It’s important to let yourself feel emotions. If you’re having thoughts of suicide, please seek professional help or call the suicide hotline at 1-800-273-8255.
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