How to Reduce Burnout and What to do if You’re Experiencing it?
Words: Nathan Fabiano
Experiencing burnout due to a variety of life circumstances is all too common in the modern world. Burnout can creep up on you and sometimes occur out of nowhere. The feeling of being stuck, the slow progress, the frustration of finding yourself in certain situations and the unpredictability of life can and will at times force us to feel tired, withdrawn and a sense of feeling lost.
Here are some simple changes you can introduce or implement when you find yourself in a burnout situation.
Get outside and do some cardio
If you can run, then run. If you can jog, then jog, If you can walk, then walk. If you need some assistance to get outside, get someone to assist you to get outside. Getting some fresh air and movement is awesome for relieving stress taking in what nature has to offer, which can help you think more rationally and logically. We aren’t designed to be indoors all the time and we’re definitely not meant to be sedentary. Even just simple movement outside can help release “happy endorphins” and help with hormone regulation, which in turn will help assist you with burnout.
Take some time out to read
Reading allows your mind to wonder and experience new worlds in fiction based books and new knowledge can be learned through non-fiction based written content. Personally, I enjoy reading various blogs on self-development, health, relationships and also finance to understand the state of the current climate and how to better myself and navigate in my daily life.
Reading allows you to learn new concepts and perspectives that can change the way you view certain topics and the world. Becoming a reader can benefit you mentally through increased knowledge and engagement. Reading is something that’s underrated that will make quite a big difference.
Cold water and surf therapy!
If you’re lucky enough to be by the ocean, is there anything better than heading down to the beach and getting amongst the waves? I’d say probably not! There are numerous mental and physical benefits of getting in the cold water, such as:
Not sure how to surf or want to be a part of a great community that’s supportive and promotes improving oneself? Head over and have a look at our programs and see what suits your needs best!
Connect with others
Sometimes all you need to escape burnout is to catch up with a friend or a group of people who you hold closely. It could be a coffee catch up, dinner date with some friends or even inviting some friends over for a movie. Just being around different people and having an outlet to talk to someone can go a long way in regards to clearing your head or getting things off your chest. It’s also good to get some feedback and honesty for anything that you might be overthinking or having a hard time getting your mind off. A sense of direction or even a course of action can be offered by a close friend or family member which can help get you back on the right track.
Eat nutrient-dense foods
It’s true what they say, you are what you eat! Your body is like a mechanical organism, like a car in a sense. The better fuel you put into the car, and the more often you service it will be one that is less likely to have issues and less maintenance requirements later on. Having a nutrient-rich diet which incorporates well-balanced proportions of healthy carbohydrates, protein and fats will greatly help reduce burnout, fatigue, and anxiety. Everything that you eat is then essentially absorbed and used across all your bodily systems to operate and function, who do you think will feel better and operate better? The person that has a high water intake and eating regime that sustains a wide variety of macro and micro-nutrients, or someone that has fast-food and takeaway regularly combined with soft drink consumption to higher than normal levels.
It’s important to understand and accept these feelings of burnout are normal and acceptable, however it’s a necessity to address them and make sure you get back on your feet. Take care of yourself.