Burnout seems to have become extremely common. When there is so much happening in the world around you and in your direct sphere of influence, it can be especially overwhelming. That’s why I wanted to share some of the tips I’ve learned here about recovering from and preventing burnout.
First off, if you’re feeling burnout — I’m sorry. Burnout is awful, and especially hard to manage because it’s hard to figure out that 1) you’re burnt out and 2) what to do about it. I’ve experienced burnout in both big and small episodes, and having been there and back a few times, here’s what I’ve learned:
• It’s important to create healthy expectations and compassion for yourself when recovering from burnout. This sucks, but burnout can take a long time to recover from. In some cases it can take weeks, months, or even years — but don’t panic. No matter how burnt out you are, you can recover.
• Burnout has a lot of contributing factors — it’s not just working long hours (though that can be a contributor). It’s much deeper than that.
• Think of your whole self as a cup. Participating in certain activities that are physically, mentally, spiritually, and emotionally demanding means that you’re pouring from your cup. These may be activities you choose and even love, but you’re still pouring from your cup to participate in them. When you do things that bring you joy and are just for you — you fill your cup. A healthy balance is when you both fill and pour from your cup.
When you’re burnt out, you need to consciously be working to fill your cup more than you pour out. It can be hard, but you need to try to get to a 1-to-1 ratio.
Here’s my advice:
• Start with microscopic decisions. Does that meeting really need to be 30 minutes, or could 15 minutes or maybe an email suffice? Can you start committing to an after-shift activity for yourself that’s not happy hour? Can a family member be doing more?
• Just start to ask these questions and assess. You need to be like the IRS in spiritually auditing the use of your time and energy. It may feel selfish at first, but consider the alternative of potentially developing a chronic illness or a panic attack.
• Also, no matter what you do, you always need to have something to look forward to. Having nothing to look forward to creates real despair. So schedule that haircut, book a yoga class, or put a “Do not disturb 8-9PM” on your door when you get home and just watercolor, journal, or whatever you want. I found that when I’ve pre-planned time off, my life started to feel way more manageable. When I let that practice slip, it felt overwhelming again.
And make sure you communicate where you’re at with the people asking for things from you, so that they can understand and start to help you out.
Like I said, recovering from burnout may not be easy, but it is possible. Carve out that time for yourself and fill your cup. You can do this.
Take care,
Alexandria
 |
 |
 |
Email us: [email protected]
This email was sent to [email protected]. Email is the most important way we keep in touch with people like you, so thank you for reading to the end. Small donors like you keep us going. To contribute via check, please address to Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez for Congress, PO Box 680080, Corona, NY 11368.
Paid for by Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez for Congress