For some reason, the North American culture celebrates the idea of working long hours, hustling, and saying “yes” to everything, no matter what. But do people really feel good about it?
Feeling burned out is a state of mental, physical, and/or emotional exhaustion that’s caused by constant stress. It can creep up, and you may not notice until it’s too late. Next thing you know, you can’t think or focus, are exhausted, or even physically ill.
Getting rest is essential to fighting burnout. Here are some different ways to rest and recharge to help you feel good.
Physical Rest: Give your body a break. Sleep, take a nap, or spend some time on the sofa. You can also do some active rest, like massage, yoga, meditation, or stretching.
Mental Rest: Give your brain some time to breathe. Write ideas in a journal, make a to-do list, or just step away completely from what you’re doing and go for a walk or watch a movie.
Social Rest: If you’re an introvert, schedule some alone time every day. If you’re an extrovert, be sure to spend time with people who give you energy and don’t necessarily want anything from you.
Sensory Rest: Considering your phone is always in your pocket with email, notifications, and everything else, spending time unplugged can also help you avoid burnout. Schedule blocks of time where you won’t interact with technology and stimulate your sense with something real.
Emotional Rest: Sometimes, you need to talk to someone about how you really feel without judgment. A trusted friend, therapist, or spiritual leader may be able to help you relieve this weight so you can recharge.