How do you deal with someone with a burnout?

It's not normal. It seems like an epidemic. There are so many young people at home with a burnout that almost everyone between 20 and 30 knows someone who is suffering from it. You too? And is that person also close to you? Ai, good luck with that. Because not only does the person in a burnout have a really tough time, but you didn't ask for this situation either. You probably feel quite powerless.

You want to move heaven and earth to help the other person, but unfortunately, you can't do much. Or well, you can do something. Because dealing with it well is also an art. Time for a crash course How To Handle a Burnie, because god yes, we might as well add some humor to it, it's all already miserable enough. Are you reading along, Waylon?

Know what a burnout is

Take some time to learn about it. If you're not informed, it's hard to imagine how the other person feels. Fully informed? Imagine how - pardon my French - super awful it actually is. Someone feels completely exhausted, burned out, can only cry, has Chaos with a capital C in their head and a short fuse. Maybe it helps you to look at your partner/colleague/dear friend with different eyes.

Try not to judge

There's a good chance you have your own opinion about why the person in question has gone off the rails, but no one needs that right now. Criticism is generally hard for the other person to swallow at this moment. There's a good chance the other person is reacting very unreasonably right now.

Watch this video

An item from RTL Boulevard about vloggers with a burnout. Focus particularly on the behavior of bank guests Peter R. de Vries and Marc van der Linden. Yes, seen it? Good. This is how you DO NOT behave. People with a burnout are often seen as ‘softies’, but it's actually the strong ones who push through for too long, the perfectionists who don't ask for help, and who often set the bar too high. Never seen such a pathetic display from two grown men.

Make sure you're there

Someone with a burnout will find it difficult to stay in touch. Therefore, keep in contact, send a WhatsApp message now and then, call or drop by. And don't expect someone to be interested in you or to listen to you. Remember that this is not disinterest; someone whose fuse has blown just has more than enough to deal with themselves at that moment.

Go out together

Engage in relaxing activities. Suggest going outside with your lover or friend. ESPECIALLY when the other person doesn't feel like it. Try to do something every day (or every other day). Even if it's just a small bike ride behind the house or to the supermarket for Tony's Chocolonely. Countless studies have proven that movement helps tremendously to counteract burnout symptoms.

Listen, listen, listen

Can you keep your well-meaning advice to yourself? Are you just there for the other person? To listen? Then you make it a lot easier. And yes, sometimes you're going to get tired of the complaining and negativity. Part of the package, I guess. But be honest, the other person will really understand.

Finally, a life lesson you definitely need to pass on to your broken friend/friend/sister/younameit...

Treat yourself as the most important person in your life. Period. He/she needs to stop that perfectionism, get more sleep, and make room for things that are truly enjoyable. And for you: be patient. And then slowly: breathe in, breathe out, everything will be fine with your partner, friend, or family member. Really.

Image source: Pinterest