We’ve all been there. One minute, you’re cruising along, juggling work, social life, and maybe a hobby or two. Then, suddenly, everything feels overwhelming. The deadlines, the emails, the never-ending to-do lists—they start to pile up. Your work weeks are starting to feel a whole lot harder to manage. You feel like you’re running a marathon with no finish line in sight, and each step gets heavier and heavier.
Does any of this sound familiar? Well, welcome to the brink of burnout. It doesn’t matter if you’ve turned what was once your passion into a business or even landed your dream job; burnout is burnout, and it will come no matter how much you love something. It doesn’t mean you’re selfish, lazy, or anything negative at all.
Honestly, it’s just something that happens naturally. So, generally speaking, it’s not something to really worry about, and honestly, you’re not alone in this either. So, with all of that said, here’s what you can do to feel like yourself again when you’re right on the brink of burnout!
Start By Recognizing the Signs
So, before diving into solutions, it’s really important to identify the warning signs of burnout. These can creep up gradually, so they’re easy to miss if you’re not paying attention. Some of the common indicators include chronic fatigue, feeling tired even after a full night's sleep, and irritability, where you snap at coworkers or loved ones over minor issues.
You might notice decreased productivity, struggling to complete tasks that used to be a breeze, or physical symptoms like headaches, stomachaches, or unexplained aches and pains. But on top of that, detachment is another red flag, making you feel disconnected from work or personal life. If any of these sound familiar, it’s time to take action.
It All Starts with Prioritizing Self-Care
This is something that’s super important to remember: self-care isn’t just about bubble baths and face masks (though those can be nice). It’s about taking steps to nurture your physical, emotional, and mental health. So, for example, you might want to start with sleep. Ideally, that means aiming for 7-9 hours of quality sleep each night and creating a bedtime routine that helps you unwind.
This one is pretty obvious, but nutrition is key too; eat balanced meals that fuel your body and avoid excessive caffeine and sugar, which can lead to crashes (what you eat and drink affects your mental health). Another obvious one is that you need regular exercise, as this gives you endorphins. Lastly (but far from least), you’re going to have to start incorporating relaxation techniques like meditation, deep breathing exercises, or progressive muscle relaxation to calm your mind.
But of course, you still deserve to do other things in your day that make you happy (that are still relaxing), such as playing puzzles like Mahjong, cozy games like Stardew Valley or Animal Crossing, baking cute pastries you saw on TikTok, or cozying up and watching something like Gilmore Girls. But overall, it’s about taking care of yourself physically and mentally, and mental health usually goes down south when we stop taking care of ourselves.
Start Setting Those Boundaries
Needless to say, we’re actually living in a time that glorifies busyness, it’s easy to overextend yourself. It’s not a good look, seriously, it’s not. So, with that all said, learning to set boundaries is essential for preventing burnout- yes, you read that right! So, you’re going to have to begin by learning to say no. Yes, it’s uncomfortable but it’s so important!
This means you’ll need to politely decline additional tasks or social invitations when you’re already stretched thin. Stick to your designated work hours and avoid bringing work home with you. Turn off work-related notifications outside of these hours. But also, make sure to schedule time for activities that you enjoy and make you feel rejuvenated, and protect this time fiercely.
Stop Going About This Alone
You don’t have to go through this alone. While burnout is normal, why isolate yourself? Ideally, reaching out for support can make a world of difference. Sometimes, venting to a trusted friend can help relieve some of the pressure. You might want to consider talking to a therapist or counselor who can provide strategies for managing stress and burnout. Plus, connecting with others who are experiencing similar challenges can provide a sense of community and understanding.
It’s Time to Reevaluate Your Goals
It’s so important to understand that burnout can be a sign that something needs to change. So, you might want to take this opportunity to reevaluate your goals and priorities. So, be sure to reflect on what truly matters to you and whether your current goals align with your values and passions. Don’t be afraid to adjust your goals if they no longer serve you. It’s okay to change direction. Simplifying your life by focusing on fewer, more meaningful goals can also be beneficial.