Can you feel it? It’s the end of the year rush. Days are shorter and expectations are higher … If you’re feeling burnt out and exhausted, know you’re not alone.
I hope these few simple tips can help you move in a positive direction and avoid burning out.
- Address the root.
Sometimes we embrace the end of year burnout as an inevitable fact. It doesn’t have to be this way! Investigate why you’re feeling burned out. Naming is powerful, and naming what is wearing you out gives you the opportunity to do something about it.
- Prioritize you.
The holidays are a time when you’re juggling expectations – maybe it’s from your family, friends, and/or your company. Amid the pressures and expectations of others, it can be hard to hear what we want. The saying goes, we can’t pour from an empty cup. Set aside time and resources to fill your cup. And, most importantly, practice using the word “no.”
- Give yourself grace
Give yourself permission to be tired. Too often, we try to push through and rely on our own strength. “Oh, I’m okay,” we say, even though our head hurts and our bodies need a nap.
We are limited. That is okay. Let’s acknowledge burnout and give ourselves a well-deserved break. We suggest our favorite Breaktimer app, and unplugging completely during the holidays!
- Attitude of gratitude.
Gratitude is scientifically proven to rewire our brains for joy. Take time to be thankful. Maybe it’s a phone call to a loved one to say “thanks for being you.” Or write down a list of all the small blessings you have when you’re feeling stressed.
Something that’s helped me in the last couple months is reflecting first thing in the morning. A prompt my friend passed along to me was to write one thing you are letting go of that day, one thing you are grateful for and one thing you want to focus on. The trick is in being specific.
- Rest.
Define what rest means to you, and do more of it. Rest doesn’t have to be a three week vacation, either. What are ways you can renew during the day? For me, it’s being sure to take a walk outside daily, no matter how cold it is. For others it might be taking an extra minute to read for pleasure or getting a good workout in.
So, these are my five simple tips. They may seem obvious, but I find actually implementing them is the challenge. 🙂
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This is the last blog for 2021 – I’m sending you my best wishes for a joyous holiday season, and I look forward to seeing you next year!
