You very likely have heard the term ‘burnout’ more often in the past year than ever before. And you might have read articles like this one that suggest burnout is now more a norm than an anomaly.  What is burnout?  Historically, burnout was a term we used to describe a work-related issue: apathy, negativity, exhaustion, and reduced professional efficiency. More recently, burnout seems to be an umbrella term for the toll of the pandemic and its psychological aftermath. If words can even capture it sufficiently, let’s define it as chronic malaise, and an indescribable feeling that a long weekend couldn’t even come close to helping.

What do we do with this garbage feeling?!  It is hard not to feel helpless in the face of limitations on our travel and seemingly endless adjustments to our ability to plan and live freely. With all of these external factors up in the air, it leaves us very simply with a personal responsibility to change our perspective on things. No one said that was easy, but here are some emotional self-care ideas that might help to pull you through the coming weeks and months.  Self-care is personal.  Whatever self-care means for you, take a look at the tips below, use them, toss them, share them.  We’re all in this together.

1. Accept what is

Acceptance is NOT saying that you agree with something.  There is nothing to like or agree with when it comes to anything related to a new COVID variant. But what if we could drop the rope in our tug of war with that variant? What if we decided that cultivating anxiety was not in line with our values (i.e., to be present in our lives this holiday month) and that we were going to choose to accept our feelings of uncertainty and anger.  Acceptance includes holding two ideas at once: I can hate the pandemic, and acknowledge all of my negativity – but at the same time, I can choose to maintain joy in the moments that I can.

2. Things don’t have to go well

This idea stands every holiday season, but particularly right now.  It’s ok if not everything is homemade, if things get there a little late, if you forget a thing or two, or need to leave early (or arrive late).  Try to extend the same grounded expectations for the holidays that you have for everything else in life.  Afterall, we’re only human. 

3. Take a breath

Take a longer break than normal.  Campaign for More Me Time (put that on a t-shirt!).  Don’t place guardrails on what you’ll do with that time.  Stare at the wall, and forget what you always wanted to do when you had free time.  Our brains really need a chance to default to boredom. If you don’t believe us, check out this study showing key associations between boredom and creativity.

4. Connect 

Humans are social creatures. Even if you self-identify as an introvert, connection is key. Text someone randomly. Call someone who hates texting. Go tickle your teenager or harass your cat who is looking smug in the sunshine. Whatever responses you get, what matters most is how you feel when you reach out.

5. Schedule your joy

What makes you happy inside, even fleetingly?  Refilling that hummingbird feeder?  Fitting in a great workout in the middle of the day when you should be working?  Making pumpkin bread with fresh pumpkin?  Blasting 90s grunge?  Your happiness is just as important as any one item on that to-do list – so make sure you schedule in the joy!

Beacon Physical Therapy

At Beacon Physical Therapy, we support our patients in leading a healthy life and establishing a healthy lifestyle. And remember, if you are having an issue, make an appointment today. We’d love to meet you and get you back to doing what you love.