You may have read one of our recent blogs discussing the warning signs of employee burnout. In this follow up post, we explore realistic strategies that can help you recover from being #overworked and #hellastressed.
1. Talk me through it
Everyone jokes about how “women love to talk”, but learning how to express your feelings to people you trust is a key skill we should all work on. Even if it’s the last thing you feel like doing, reaching out and discussing where you’re at can help you release tension and relieve stress.
2. I don’t care, I love it
You might not remember the last time you felt excited to go out and do something due to your fried brain cells, but do yourself a favour and try to remember an activity that once brought you joy. Getting back to basics and investing time in the hobbies you once enjoyed (and had time for) can really bring you some much needed happiness! Whether it’s dancing, tennis or even just watching a comedy with friends – do it and do it repeatedly! Endorphins, you know.
3. I’m missing more than just your body
“Mind and body are one”, a yoga instructor once told me. I believe it! Both have probably been through the wringer to get you to this burnout point, so stepping back to take care of them is a good starting point when attempting to recover. Try taking some time out for you – run a bath, listen to relaxing music or attend a meditation class – it’s all about the details!
4. Flip it and reverse it
Perhaps once you’ve given yourself a good scrub, it’s time to leave the house, get some fresh air and move your limbs around. It doesn’t have to be a marathon – even a short daily walk can help clear your mind and put things into perspective. Changing up your scenery and seeing other people living their #bestlife can help you get some space and process things more clearly.
5. Prima la famiglia!
Family first. By hanging out with people who know you, warts and all, you can truly let go and relax. ‘Family’ also isn’t limited to the people you share blood with – supportive friends also fit into this category! Whether it be catching up for a coffee, driving down to the beach, or simply meeting up for a Stranger Things marathon, that time and effort you put in won’t go to waste.
6. Just what the Doctor ordered
Sometimes, the answer to our problems goes deeper than watching a movie or talking to a friend. You may have overworked yourself to the point of needing some professional support – and there’s no shame in this. With a wealth of experience (and WAY too many years at uni) behind them, a Doctor can help. Whether it be ordering you some blood tests or referring you to another specialist, it’s important you seek help in the interest of your physical and psychological wellbeing.
7. I got boundaries, man
Lastly, take a real hard look at the path that got you to this point of being more burnt than a Bunnings sausage. Whether it was overcommitting to the wrong people, undervaluing a good sleep cycle, staying back at work way too late way too often, or a nasty combination, pinpointing the causes of your burnout can definitely help in your recovery process. It will also help you identify how to protect yourself in the future – for instance, you may need to start committing to turning your phone off by 10PM or not checking work emails after 6PM. These small changes can make a HUGE difference.
At the end of the day, being an adult is hard and whilst we all want to do a great job, work hard and succeed – this means that sometimes we can lose sight of the bigger picture (our health!). The important thing to remember is that there’s help out there. Oh, and that there’s no email, deal or project that is more important than our wellbeing.
If you’re struggling with more complex issues or need greater support, here are some organisations that can help:
Beyond Blue
Black Dog Institute
Head to Health
Mental Health Australia
Image by Cris Saur.
