How To Recover From Burnout

Losing interest in things you love doing can be tough to digest and even harder to overcome. If you feel like you are burned out or on the verge of it read on to see how you can get back on track.

There may not be a more devastating feeling than being disinterested in things you once loved. Burnout is real and can have a profound affect on our lives. If you are feeling mounting pressure and like nothing you do is ever good enough, you may be on the verge of burnout. The good news is if you recognize the signs you can take steps to help you stay on track.

That begs the question though, what are the signs?

1. If you find yourself becoming more forgetful, or having difficulty concentrating on tasks, you once enjoyed you may be on the verge of a burnout.

2. If you no longer find satisfaction in the work you do, you may be on the verge of a burnout.

3. If you notice yourself wondering what your purpose is, or losing track of your life goals, you may be on the verge of a burnout.

4. If it’s become hard for you to be present in your relationships, you may be on the verge of a burnout.

5. If you see yourself becoming more short-tempered with your co-workers, you may be on the verge of a burnout.

6. If your body is acting up- unexplained muscle tension, pain, fatigue or insomnia, you may be on the verge of a burnout.

Now that you are aware of some of the signs of burnout what can you do to counteract those feelings and get back on track?

First, you are going to want to track down the source of what is putting you on edge. Until you recognize what is giving you those negative feelings and why, it is hard to solve the problem.

More often than not burnout is attributed to your work-life in some form or fashion. Maybe your job has gotten more demanding due to a promotion, or new manager? Perhaps you are understaffed so you’re carrying more of a load than you’re used to.

It is also possible that the source of your inner-turmoil is due to other aspects of your life. Perhaps you’re dealing with a toxic relationship, or balancing a full schedule plus a job isn’t going well? Chronic health issues for yourself or a loved one can also trigger feelings of burnout as well.

Once you pinpoint the source of your contention you are then able to formulate a plan to get your life in a more manageable state. This requires you to examine what you have on your plate and understanding you can’t do everything. Learning to relegate tasks that you don’t really need to take on yourself can be one of the biggest stress relievers, but it requires you to put your pride away and ask for help where it’s needed.

If you’re unsure where to start, sometimes talking to a trusted confident is the best course of action. Involving a third party that knows you well, but isn’t involved in all aspects of your life could be able to see some solutions you aren’t able to. By incorporating a friend or loved one you also help yourself to not feel so alone with everything you are dealing with.

Know when to say “no”. Setting boundaries with yourself and others is important to your overall health and mental well-being. Don’t want to get burned out? Set aside time for just yourself and understand you don’t have to take up every offer placed in front of your nose. Most people will understand and if they don’t you don’t need that kind of stress in your life anyway.

If all else fails and you still aren’t feeling a sense of relief it may be time to seek professional help. A therapist can help you to identify your triggers, explore ways to cope with them and navigate any challenges that are contributing to your burnout.

Getting back on track after feeling burned out is not easy. It will take time and you will need to learn compassion for yourself. However, no matter how hard it gets, know that better days are ahead and you taking the first steps to remedy how you are feeling will go a long way toward that.