A young woman is in office clothes. She sits surrounded by two computers, a tablet, and a calculator. Hands coming from out of the frame thrust clocks, watches, and phones.
Never have we been so available — and so completely overwhelmed.

16 Ways to Deal with Burnout

IF YOU’RE ALWAYS EXHAUSTED AND ON THE MOVE, TRY THESE TIPS!

by Mia Bencivenga

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July 14, 2021

 

Do you feel like you’re always exhausted? Are you so on-edge that you don’t even enjoy your favorite hobbies anymore? If you can relate to these feelings, then you might be burned out.

            Burnout is when you are physically, mentally, and emotionally drained. It’s usually caused by being overworked at your job or overwhelmed with other aspects of your life. 

            If you’re looking for some relief from burnout, here are some quick tips to help you feel more rested and relaxed:

1] Feel Your Feelings

If you’re constantly on the go, you might stuff down your feelings, especially when they’re “inconvenient.” If you’re feeling the effects of burnout, one thing that could help is simply taking some time to feel your feelings. Whether that’s through journaling, talking to a friend, or just having a good cry — letting your emotions out can take a weight off your shoulders. 

2] Get Some Rest

This goes without saying — but our brains and bodies can’t heal if we don’t rest. If you can’t seem to find time to sleep or relax, it’s time to reassess priorities and ask for help.

3] Make a List of YOUR Priorities

Many of us feel the need to do things that we don’t particularly enjoy — like going out when you’d rather stay in — to try to make ourselves into someone else’s ideal. That’s why it’s so important to make time for things that make you happy and fulfilled as opposed to someone else.  

4] Ask for Help

If you’re overwhelmed, let people know that you need some help. Have an unmanageable workload? Communicate with your coworkers and manager. Can’t seem to handle all your obligations? Ask a loved one to help you run errands or take care of things at home. No one can do it alone — and there’s no reason to try.

5] Draw Some Boundaries (Where You Can)

When you have no boundaries, people can take and take from you — leaving you drained and exhausted. Remember, it’s healthy to say no and not be available all the time.

6] Practice Mindfulness 

When you’re trying to break bad habits — like overworking yourself — just being mindful or observant of your behavior will help you break the cycle.

7] Blow Off Steam — In A Healthy Way

Instead of dealing with your feelings in a way that will inevitably make you feel worse — like overeating or binge drinking, try out something that will lift you up, like dancing, watching your favorite movie, or being with friends.

8] Stop Measuring Everything

From tracking your steps to seeing how many likes our latest tweet gathered, there is almost nothing that we don’t measure. This can stress us out and add a performative component to our lives that can sap the joy out of activities.

9] Let Yourself Get Bored

Are you the type of person who needs to fill every moment of every day with an activity? Challenge yourself by planning a day of doing as little as possible and take some time to check in with yourself.

10] Schedule some YOU time

If you are the last person you take care of, you’re going to get burned out. Whether it’s taking a walk, enjoying a movie, or making your favorite latte, you should take some time to do something for yourself every day.

11] Stop Comparing Yourself 

Social media has made it easier than ever to compare ourselves to others. But not only is the “perfect life” not attainable — it is an illusion. By no longer comparing ourselves, we can be free of external pressure to perform perfection — giving us much-needed room to breathe.

12] Be Kinder to Yourself

Beating yourself up won’t help you achieve any of your goals — it’ll just make you feel worse and worse. Treat yourself like you would a friend you love, and you might find yourself feeling more positive and relaxed.

13] The Enemy of Good is “Better”

Whether you’re working on a project for work, or trying to get healthier, the quest to be “better” can feel never-ending. Ditch the instinct to be perfect and appreciate what’s already good about you and your life.

14] Do Something Your Bad At

Paint for the sake of mixing colors! Play the piano because it feels cathartic, and not because you’re going to write a symphony! Enjoy life’s pleasures without fixating on being good at something will help you recharge your batteries and creativity.

15] Enjoy Your Life NOW 

It’s perfectly fine to work towards a better future — but what’s the point if you’re always sacrificing being happy now? Take a moment to be present and to live your best life now — not when some future milestone is achieved.

16] Recognize Your Worth

There is more to life than being successful. Recognize you are worthy even if you aren’t productive, that you are a good person even when you’re tired or unmotivated.

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Mia Bencivenga is a regular columnist with The Green Voice Weekly Newsletter .