Beat The Burnout
Burnout. We all know what it is. Hell, many if not most of us have experienced it first hand. Honestly, occasional burnout happens after a hard or extended push and may not be avoidable. The problem is that unchecked burnout becomes chronic. As the world gets faster and we chase something that can’t be caught, chronic burnout is nearly commonplace. I mean, think about it. Which is more likely to be discussed over dinner: How great your day was and how fulfilled you are by your work or how long your day was and how fried you are? How busy your week is and what you need to find time for or how much inspiration you’re drawing from your extracurricular activities?
For the uninitiated, if that magical beast exists, burnout is defined as physical or mental collapse caused by overwork or stress. We all have stress. Stress is a normal part of life which in and of itself isn’t unhealthy. In fact, stress can propel us into action. The challenge is that stress is insidious in our modern world. A nonstop assault of information on the brain and stimulation of the senses leaves our system exhausted. The physical and energetic toll is toxic, potentially lethal, for the all too familiar combination of a largely sedentary lifestyle with excessive screen time, endless incoming everything fueled by less than ideal food and little or low quality sleep. We’re not really wired for this. You know that saying about promoting someone past their point of usefulness? I think we’re dangerously close to this on the grander scale of evolution. So…what to do? Well, as with most things, we start with ourselves.
Here’s 5 of my favorite ways to beat burnout:
Nature. I may be a little bias here, but time spent in nature is like time spent at the gym, the best therapist and a retreat all wrapped up in one. And way less expensive. If I’m tangled in thought, Mother Nature helps unwind my mind.
Beauty. The act of surrounding yourself with beauty can bring an instant state of calm and order. Feeling bold? Clear the clutter. Not quite there? Light a candle, bring a vibrant flower or plant into your space, spend time looking at artwork or lose yourself to music.
Sex. Next to nature therapy, there are few better ways to sweat out the static than sex. No partner? Sex can be an individual sport. Enough said.
Sleep. I know, I know. I’ll sleep when I’m dead. No rest for the wicked. I could go on. I’ve heard and said them all. Finding ways to get more, better quality sleep serves the living and might just give our wicked more juice.
Mindfulness and meditation. Dogma aside, finding ways to connect with our breath and be present in everything we do, especially with everyone we care about, somehow creates a little more spaciousness in our experience of everything else.
From burned out to blissed out might seem a bit of a stretch at the moment. I get it. It’s simple, but not easy. It takes time, it’s not instantaneous. Initially, these things might even feel like more work when you’re already tapped out. Change can be challenging and my favorite ways might not be yours. But, if you’re looking for some suggestions, pick one and try it. Baby steps build momentum. Momentum brings change. Take a step forward and keep going.