How to Bounce Back from Burnout

- Zeahlot Lopez, MS, LMFT

Regardless of our careers, whether it be a teacher, a student, a lawyer, or an engineer, there’s one thing we all have in common: BURNOUT. Our reactions to burnouts fall under two possible ways: we either acknowledge burnout and proceed to live life as if nothing happened or we accept it and realize that there is a need to address our mental health and ask one question: what do we do now?

We all live and perceive life differently, so there is no way for me to directly help you in answering such a personal and individualized question (in other words, only you can find out the answer). However, I can assist you in getting a head-start on what to do whenever you feel burnt out. The first step is acknowledging and accepting the fact that we are allowed to feel burnt out. Those who work hard and push themselves will eventually experience this feeling of nothingness and emptiness in their lives. However, we must embrace it and remember the truth that we are doing our best.

We take sick days because of chest pain or maybe because of a fever, but do we ever take sick days off for our mental health? Mental health is just as important as our physical health, and given our busy lives, we all fail to address our mental health. We are all human, and each and every one of us is bound to experience a version of “burnout.”

As you start to feel burnt out, don’t forget that you aren’t alone. It is perfectly fine to shut yourself in your room and have a mental breakdown. It is perfectly fine to sit on the couch and stare at the blank television screen. It is perfectly fine to refuse to cry because you don’t want to feel weak. We are human, and that is part of life.

You must nourish yourself and try to feel good and refreshed. Given how hard many of us work, it’s difficult to admit that we need a day off to relax and treat ourselves. Tell yourself this: if you need a day at the beach to enjoy the sun rays and listen to ocean waves, do it. If you need a day to walk around Times Square and enjoy the noise and bustle of the city, by all means, do it.

In the chaos of our lives, these little things are crucial to retain our sanity and quality of life. Whether you believe me or not, it’s true. We all strive for happiness and success in our lives; of course, this cannot be achieved without hard work, practicality, intelligence in our working habits.

We can’t forget about ourselves, and we can’t forget to care and acknowledge the two things that make you... you: your brain and your heart. If you have experienced (or are experiencing) burnout, take a breather and think about why you are stressed and why you feel how you feel. Take one step at a time, and everything will be okay. You deserve an hour of your favorite TV series, YouTube videos, or Spotify playlist! As an alternative, you can also opt to take 30 minutes of your day to sit inside a café and drink coffee.

Know yourself, and don’t forget that you only have one brain and one heart!