This is how you bounce back from a burnout

Is it just me, or are more and more people completely burned out due to their work, personal circumstances, or just their mega-busy lives? It happened to me too once. I only realized how much effort it took to drag myself to work when someone pointed out that I was so quiet, wasn’t doing anything outside of work, and was worried about how tired I had looked in recent months. In hindsight, I find it a miracle that this didn’t happen sooner; I worked in a place with an incredibly high workload, alongside colleagues who always had something negative to say about each other, and I was working eleven-hour days. I only truly realized how bad it was when I could do absolutely nothing anymore.

I can still see myself sitting there: on the couch with no clue where my next meal would come from. Not that I didn’t have money or that I didn’t know where the supermarket was, no, I just couldn’t bring myself to get up and perform a simple task like grocery shopping. Not long after, I left for a few weeks to my parents, and they slowly but surely patched me up. The moment I really started to heal was when I decided never to return to the place that had made me so sick. I didn’t know then that I had a long way to go. Fortunately, I have completely recovered now, feel better than ever, and am happy to share some tips to make life after a burnout a bit easier.

Boundaries, boundaries, boundaries

Remember that you are the boss of your own energy. Can’t do something? Then you can’t. Saying no is incredibly difficult for people who are sensitive to burnout. I once worked while being seriously ill (really, I was barely coherent) because I didn’t dare to stand up for myself. The first step to becoming your own boundary keeper is to stop being a yes-automaton. Saying ‘yes’ to things you don’t really want to do or are not capable of doing is over. A break and then a simple ‘I’d like to think about it’ or ‘I’ll let you know by the end of the week’ will create space for you to think and then consciously decide.

Incorporate mental breaks into your day

These breaks don’t have to be very long. Make yourself a cup of tea and give yourself fifteen minutes to do nothing. Many of us are conditioned to always be on the go these days, but let’s be honest: what is that really good for?

Don’t over-schedule 

Packing your schedule too full is the kiss of death when it comes to recovering from a (beginning) burnout. For me, it helped (and helps) to schedule enough time for tasks or appointments that require a lot of mental focus and to include enough breaks in between. And that applies not only to your work. Do you really want to go to that party on Friday night? Then cross out Saturday and Sunday and only do something those days if it really feels good.

Help others

Although it may seem a bit strange to help others when you already have a burnout, small, kind acts can help us get out of our heads. A habit of contributing to the well-being of others can greatly enhance our own sense of well-being. It can be as simple as writing a sweet note, helping someone with their groceries, or bringing flowers to your parents.

Image: Netflix