Give burnout a break

Written By Steve Linsenmayer

When you feel burned out or notice that you’re not handling stress as well as usual, it might be time to consider a mental health day.

 

Maintenance is always much easier than trying to come back from burnout. If you are strategic about scheduling these days in advance, you can schedule your projects around this time, which will help you to actually relax and enjoy your time off.

Check in with yourself

It’s important to check your emotional well-being on a regular basis. If these signs of burnout seem familiar, it’s time to give yourself a break:

  • Problems with sleep

  • Chronic fatigue

  • Difficulty with focus and memory

  • Irritability and mood swings

  • Frequent illness

  • Poor decision-making

  • Heavy use of caffeine/stimulants to get through your day

  • Decrease in productivity.

Schedule relaxation

Maintaining your emotional health may require scheduling time each day to unwind. Research is clear that daily mindfulness or meditative practices are excellent ways to maintain overall emotional well-being. Additionally, physical exercise, good nutrition, and sufficient sleep help maintain emotional health.

Utilize your mental health day well. This is not the time to tackle your “To Do” list at home, but really a time to do things that you find restorative, relaxing, and reenergizing.

Do it for you

Do what works best for you, but if you struggle with relaxation, consider things like sleeping more than usual, eating good food, spending time in nature, enjoying the company of loved ones, exercising, meditation, or engaging in a hobby. Make sure to detach from electronics, the outside world, and especially work.

Whatever you do, don’t overplan your mental health day. Pick one or two things you want to do and allow some time without any obligations or worrying about the clock.

By Dr. Siquilla Liebetrau,
Bowen Health VP of Clinical Services

 
 

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Steve Linsenmayer
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