The best way to handle burnout? Avoiding it in the first place.
– KEYS SOULCARE
Whew…you’re here. That means you know your energy is low and want to do something about it. The first thing to note: This happens to the best of us, and burnout is a serious issue that’s on the rise. According to a Forbes report, over 43 percent of middle managers in the U.S. feel burnt out, and about four million (yes, million) Americans quit their job every month in 2022.
If you’re part of these statistics — or have found yourself nearing burnout — it’s crucial to tune into your mind, body, and soul connection. Consider this your sign to take deeper care of yourself and use this list as your guide to start finding alignment.
What is burnout?
Burnout is more than just feeling tired or bored. (Though burnout is usually mistaken or ignored for stretches of time because it’s often minimized as such.) Burnout is hard to define because it’s not considered a medical condition. The APA Dictionary of Psychology describes this phenomenon as a culmination of mental, physical, and emotional responses to long-term frustration or exhaustion. Rather than feeling like you might need another cup of joe, burnout can leave you unable and unwilling to function in your day-to-day life.
Five signs of burnout
Every experience with burnout is unique, but some common signs you’ve entered the “burnout zone” includes:
- Constant feeling of physical and emotional exhaustion.
- Decreased performance and productivity at work, home, or social circles.
- Negative feelings and cynicism toward your job or others.
- Lack of motivation and energy, even with simple tasks.
- Difficulty concentrating and making decisions.
Five ways to treat burnout
If burnout has entered the chat, don’t fret. There are ways to take care of you before, after, and during burnout.
- Take a break. When Alicia wrote the affirmation, I can start over at any time; she meant it. Deadlines and obligations might feel scary to postpone, but burnout recovery is scarier. Once you start noticing symptoms, it’s best to press pause before the crash. Put your phone on “do not disturb” and mark your calendar unavailable. If burnout isn’t work-related, ask for help from a community resource, friend, or partner so you can take a step back and breathe.
- Set boundaries. Repeat this: I put myself first. Self-care isn’t selfish. The better you care for yourself, the better you can care for others. Oftentimes, we take on more than we can handle to bring ease to other people’s lives, but as super as you are, you’re still only human. Be sure to safeguard your energy unapologetically. (Don’t wait until your schedule is filled to the brim.) Leave room for rest, joy, and doing absolutely nothing and remember you don’t need to explain — “no” is a complete sentence.
- Catch some Zzz’s. Nighttime soulcare is going to get you ahead of the game. Rest is essential to your skin, stress, and spirit. Prioritizing winding down is one way to refresh and restore. Under pressure, your body can struggle to find calm. Allow yourself to put away screens and to-do lists before bedtime and ritualize your evenings with a journaling session to jot down your thoughts; your favorite candle to set the mood; and a silky sleep mask to block out the lights (and the negative energy.)
- Nurture your soul. All work and no play? No wonder you’re feeling burnt out! It’s time to turn it around by doing more of what you love and your body craves. From nourishing meals and refreshing water to fuel your body to nature walks to increase your vitamin D, getting back to the basics of self-care is an antidote to burnout. These foundational tools are usually the first to go when we’re overwhelmed and exhausted. (Who else is guilty of skipping breakfast for coffee?) We get it! It’s easy to forget ourselves when conquering the world, so remind yourself: I cherish all that I am.
- Be preventative. The best way to tackle burnout is to avoid it in the first place. You gotta take care of you and make it a daily ritual, not a once-every-blue-moon event. Slower mornings, intentional afternoons, and luxurious nights keep our cups overflowing, so we have more to give to ourselves and others. (Yes, in that order.) Your rituals are self-preservation in the form of relaxation. So breathe in deep when you mist your Reviving Aura Mist and massage your Sacred Body Oil into your skin to bask in a post-shower glow. However you choose to create a moment of personal ceremony, be sure to relish in it daily.
Feeling burnout? How are you planning to take care of yourself? Share your favorite rituals in the comments!
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