How To Recover From Burnout

On Empty: There’s stress, and then there’s burnout. Even though the terms are often used interchangeably, they’re not the same. Unrelenting work, stress, and pressure can lead to burnout, which is characterized by exhaustion, apathy, cynicism, depression, or anxiety. 

What Is It?: Burnout and the chronic stress associated with it can have long-term physical and mental health consequences — as well as financial ones, if it leads to job loss. People with burnout often feel hopeless or like they’ve failed in some way, but you can get out from underneath it and recover. Here’s how.

How to Manage Burnout: Start by taking care of the basics: sleep, diet, exercise. That can be easier said than done, but getting these in order will have a big impact. Scale back your calendar, to-do list, and obligations to the barest of bones to give yourself space to breathe, then add bits back in slowly (if you want). Revive old hobbies or interests, or try new ones. Take regular breaks. Consider therapy for coping strategies and support. If you feel stress creeping in, try the S-T-O-P technique: Stop working for a moment. Take a breath. Observe how you’re feeling. Proceed with the next task when you’re ready.