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The holidays are over and although we hope this is a time of joy and ease, many of our clients are sharing that they are feeling the complete opposite. Instead, they feel tired, frustrated and simply burnt out.
“Burnout is a state of chronic physical and emotional exhaustion often accompanied by feelings of detachment, loss of motivation, diminished sense of purpose, and helplessness,” says Mindfulness Counseling of NY therapist Camila Soriano LP-MHC.
If this sounds like what you are going through right now, you are not alone. Burnout can happen from your job or home life, but the stress from work-life in America alone is staggering. According to Deloitte, 77% of workers have experienced burnout at their current job, mainly due to a lack of support and recognition from leadership.
Knowing why we specifically are feeling these motions is the key to moving forward and finding our peace of mind again. Therapist Lauren Vidal LMSW, says, "Take a moment to understand the specific stressors contributing to your burnout. Perhaps it's the constant demands at work or the pressure to juggle multiple responsibilities.”
Vidal adds, “One helpful technique we can explore together is mindfulness, like the simple act of bringing attention to the sensation of your feet on the ground or the texture of an object in your hand. Engaging your senses in this way helps anchor you in the present moment, offering a respite from the stressors contributing to burnout. In doing so, you create a space to detach from overwhelming thoughts and connect with the present moment, offering a valuable pause for self-care and replenishment."
Soriano shares other important steps we can take to address burnout, like the following:
Setting clear boundaries between work/school and personal life.
Practicing self-care regularly.
Identifying neglected needs and finding ways to address them.
Seeking support from friends or professionals.
Reassessing workload and priorities to manage stress more effectively.
Soriano has also had clients complete a list of things that are giving them energy versus things that are taking away energy. Having a visual tool to compare both can highlight unbalances that clients might not be aware of.
She adds, "Remember, burnout is caused by prolonged stress and builds up over time. Be patient and compassionate with yourself as you start to address your needs and implement changes."