Overcoming Burnout—Here Are Four Things to Change Today to Feel Better.

Between the pandemic, your job, the inability to spend time in person with loved ones, it’s easy to feel burned out on life. When you’re stressed, you feel overwhelmed, but you know you’ll feel better when things get under control. Burnout, on
the other hand, makes you feel mentally, emotionally or physically stretched past what you can handle. You may not feel like there’s any hope that life will get better. When you’ve reached the point of burnout, prioritizing your mental health can help your overall well-being. Here are four things that may help:

• Make time for yourself. Self-care is often the first thing we neglect when we’re burned out. In reality, caring for yourself should matter more than ever. Committing to regular exercise, eating healthy foods, and getting sufficient rest can improve your mood and minimize the effects of burnout.
• Make time for others. Stay connected to your family, friends and co-workers with virtual meetings or good old-fashioned phone calls. Prioritizing your relationships even from afar can help you feel less isolated.
• Schedule breaks. You need breaks during your days, but you also need long breaks from your daily routine. Make time throughout the year for vacations that allow you to relax and refresh.
• Take time for a media time-out. A constant stream of bad news can drag down your mood and your energy levels. Spend time you’d typically spend reading the news by meditating or doing something else you find relaxing.

Warning Signs of Burnout

You might be burned out if you…

• Are in a constant state of exhaustion
• Feel depressed, helpless, isolated or disconnected
• Get frustrated easily
• Have no desire to take care of yourself
• Experience headaches, loss of appetite and insomnia
• Seem to get sick frequently
• Use unhealthy coping strategies, such as alcohol or drugs

Sometimes, you need professional help managing burnout. Your primary care provider can help you find solutions or connect you with a qualified mental health professional. Find a provider at archbold.org/providers.