Emotionally Burnt Out? Understand The Signs Of Emotional Exhaustion & How To Heal From It

  • Post author:
  • Post category:POSTS
 

Emotionally-Burnt-Out

While last year, in and on itself was a tough year to deal with, the year 2021 hasn’t fared any better, yet. Emotionally, we’re all wrung out and feeling drained of our energy and the emotional ability to deal with stressful situations. This feeling can be termed as emotional burnout or emotional exhaustion.

The state where you feel emotionally wrung out and drained as a result of long-term stress – professionally, personally, or a combination of both – can be one of the signs of emotional exhaustion.

When someone is feeling emotionally burnt out, they might feel as if they have no control over what’s happening in their life. Emotional exhaustion can feel a lot like you’re stuck in a rut with no way of escaping.

Being in a chronic state of emotional stress can be harmful to your overall wellness. If you’re experiencing long-term stress, you’re more likely to experience the signs of emotional burnout. If you’re feeling emotionally burnt out, it is recommended you seek professional help, immediately.

Signs Of Emotional Exhaustion

 

Causes Of Emotional Exhaustion

Causes Of Emotional Exhaustion

You might feel emotionally exhausted if you’re facing extreme stress and anxiety daily. While it’s okay to feel stress and anxiety in small amounts, long-term stress or anxiety can cause you to feel emotionally burnt out.

Although, the triggers of emotional exhaustion may differ from person to person. Some of the most common causes of emotional exhaustion can, however, be:

  • Being employed in a job that requires high-pressure such as a nurse, military, police, doctors, etc.
  • Intense studying or work schedule
  • Long hour jobs or being employed in a job you don’t enjoy
  • Major lifestyle changes like having a baby, raising children full-time, or going through a divorce
  • Experiencing financial difficulties or stress
  • Being a caregiver to a loved one
  • Experiencing the death of a loved one
  • Living with a chronic illness

How To Heal From Emotional Exhaustion

You can heal from the signs of emotional exhaustion by only making a few lifestyle changes. If your symptoms are severe and if making lifestyle changes isn’t herling, then it is recommended you seek professional help.

Once you’ve identified the signs of emotional exhaustion, you can follow these ways to help you heal from being emotionally burnt out.

1. Remove The Stressor

One of the first things you need to do is identify what is causing you to feel stressed out. While it is not always possible to remove your stressor entirely, it is possible to avoid situations where your stress might be triggered. Try to find out what is causing you to feel emotionally stressed and exhausted and try to avoid or remove the stressor, if possible.

2. Eat Healthily

Eat Healthily

Having a well-balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables, proteins, whole grains while avoiding sugary or processed foods can also help you manage your emotional exhaustion. When you are stressed, it is common to gravitate towards your comfort food (mostly fat, calories, and sugar). While eating such foods might give you temporary stress relief, in the long-term it can be harmful to your brain and body.

Having a well-balanced diet can help you improve your digestion, sleep, and boost your mood that can contribute to your overall emotional wellness.

Also Read: 14 Best Foods That Help To Reduce Anxiety

3. Exercise Regularly

Exercise Regularly

Exercising or any kind of physical exertion releases endorphins and serotonin which can improve your mood and emotional state. Exercising can also help you take your mind off stressful situations, hence contributing to well and good emotional health. Try to exercise for 15-30 minutes daily.

4. Limit Caffeine & Alcohol

As I said before, caffeine and alcohol may provide a temporary stress relief but in the long-term consumption of too much caffeine and alcohol can be harmful and might leave you feeling more agitated than before. To heal from emotional exhaustion, it is important to limit or avoid (if possible) caffeine or alcohol.

5. Get Enough Rest

Get Enough Rest

Getting a good night’s rest can be helpful for your emotional state. Getting at least 6-8 hours of sleep every night can help you heal from emotional exhaustion and recharge your emotional batteries. Having a healthy bedtime routine can help you relax and ensure better rest.

6. Practice Mindfulness Exercises

Practice Mindfulness Exercise

Practicing mindfulness exercises can help with healing from emotional burnout as well. It can also help you reduce stress and anxiety. You can try practicing:

7. Take A Break From Your Routine

Take A Break From Your Routin

Sometimes being stuck in the same routine over some time can also cause you to feel emotionally burnt out. To avoid that, it is suggested you take breaks whenever possible from your routine. Go for a vacation or staycation. Relax by doing something you love apart from your daily routine. Practice self-care. Watch your favorite movie.

Take time off now and then to relax and recharge your emotional self.

8. Talk To Someone

Talk To Someone

Talking to a loved one or someone you trust can also help you heal from emotional exhaustion. If you’re not sure to talk to a friend, you can always reach out to a professional counselor or therapist for help. A professional can help you understand your stressors and teach you how to deal with them.

You can connect with a professional and licensed therapist from any of these online therapy resources or you can write to us at info@calmsage.com if you need a supportive shoulder to lean on.

Final Thoughts

Emotional exhaustion or emotional burnout, by definition, means “mental or physical collapse caused by overwork or stress”. If you or someone you know are experiencing the signs of emotional exhaustion, making the above-mentioned lifestyle changes can help and if they don’t help, you can always contact a professional for help.

Emotional exhaustion is a condition that can be treated easily. If you’re not able to make lifestyle changes for any reason, talk to a professional counselor or therapist about it. They can help you learn effective ways to cope with the signs of emotional exhaustion.

“Sometimes the best thing that you can do is not think. Not wonder. Not imagine. Not obsess. Just breathe and have faith that everything will work out for the best.” – Unknown

Take care and stay safe!

Continue ReadingEmotionally Burnt Out? Understand The Signs Of Emotional Exhaustion & How To Heal From It

Call for PMS leave to be implemented in UK workplaces

  • Post author:
  • Post category:POSTS
 

In a survey, 84% of women wanted to see PMS leave implemented by law in the UK

Cripplling cramps, headache, backache, mood swings, fatigue, and bloating – not to mention the practicalities of dealing with a period – it’s safe to say that premenstrual syndrome (PMS) is a lot to deal with. Add the demands of working on top of all that, and it’s easy to see how both productivity and wellbeing can suffer as a result.

But now, a survey from menstrual care company Yoppie has revealed that 84% of women would be in favor of a legal policy that introduced menstrual leave into UK workplaces. Currently, the law does not stipulate that women who are experiencing severe menstrual symptoms can take time off work – menstrual leave is defined as a ‘sex-specific employment policy’, and is distinct from sick leave.

“The UK continues to fall short of basic employment rights by constantly ignoring the issue of menstrual leave,” says Daniella Peri, founder of Yoppie. “While those nations that already offer some form of leave might not be getting it absolutely right, they’re miles ahead of us.”

In Indonesia, employees are granted two days of menstrual leave each month – similarly, this is seen in the Chinese provinces of Liaoning. And in Zambia, menstrual policy means that women are allowed one day off a month, and employers can be prosecuted if this leave is denied.

“Some will argue that our general sick leave policies are sufficient to cover menstrual leave, but if a woman is having to take a day or two sick leave every month compared to the average of four or five sick days a year, employers may start to look unfavourably on them,” Daniella argues.

“It’s this stigma that causes many to refrain from taking time off work when PMS hits, in fear that they won’t be treated equally against their male counterparts.”

As Daniella sees it, we need to differentiate between unforeseen bouts of sickness and the cyclical nature of PMS symptoms in order to create an equal and accessible workplace. And when you consider the effects of premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) – a more severe form of PMS which causes severe irritability, depression, or anxiety in the week or two before your period starts – the question of PMS leave is also a mental healthcare concern.

“Menstrual symptoms are not something that can be ignored – for some women, the pain can be debilitating and the ability to focus on work all but vanishes,” she continues. “We must work to ensure that menstruation is put on the political agenda and discussed at the highest level.

“If we can’t make this happen via the government, we want to empower women to come together and campaign for change in their own workplace, so that we can start to make a change one company at a time.”


What do you think? Join the Happiful Reader’s Panel Facebook group to continue the conversation.


 

 

Continue ReadingCall for PMS leave to be implemented in UK workplaces