Why Covid Burnout is a thing!
The last 2 weeks I’ve felt terrible. Really terrible. I’ve felt so low in mood, tired, my anxiety is off the chart and I am just overwhelmed and sad and I haven’t been able to stop taking on everyone else’s problems and sadness too. You probably could have guessed it too as I’ve been pretty quiet for me on here as well. Me being me, I’ve been beating myself up about this as I have things to do, businesses to save, a team to motivate and I’m just not sure why this has happened or what is wrong with me at a time when clearly I need to be top of my game more than ever – right?!
I started sharing honestly with friends how I was feeling and so many of them, especially the ones with businesses seemed to be feeling the same way. So, is it because it’s been going on so long? Is it because the reality of the situation is hitting home now the shock has worn off or what is going on? And then quite randomly I stumble across an article tackling “Covid-19 burnout” and yes it seems this is very much a thing! Who knew? I didn’t!
At this stressful and uncertain time, many of us are experiencing burn out or are close to it as it’s becoming harder and harder to maintain a work-life balance or find time for relaxation whilst staying informed about what's going on around us. Coronavirus has forced so many of us to work longer and harder than ever before. Those who own businesses do their best to keep clients, staff and other stakeholders happy all day long as well as generally staying afloat. Those who are employed focus on doing all they can and going the extra mile to keep their jobs and livelihoods. And this is before we even throw in all the extra challenges of home schooling, fear of sickness, financial worries etc etc. It’s tough right now for so many of us and because the pandemic has brought out a significant change in lifestyle for most of us, we are all much more susceptible to burnout as we are all currently trying to cope with circumstances beyond our usual situation and control and this puts a strain on everyone in different ways.
Many of us, myself included, won’t even realise we are experiencing burn out because it’s not the type we are used to. But quite simply many of us are not used to this amount of psychological stress and having so much to deal with and process in our new daily lives. Decision fatigue, a lack of energy and focus by having to have made too many decisions are all really common right now and you know it’s totally ok and “normal” in the “new normal”!
So, if this is you and you’re already burnt out or are close to it, what can we do to get past this? Here’s a few tips I’ve been able to find from my research…
Maintain a work-life balance:
It may be easier said than done and the boundaries are definitely blurred when we’re all working from our dining tables, sofas and beds, but you need to give yourself a break, maintain a work-life balance, set realistic targets and switch off at a designated time. The best way to start is to make sure you have a routine which involves getting up at a certain time, getting dressed and not staying in your PJs all day however tempting and also make sure you don’t stay in one spot all day, but you take time to get up, move around and stretch.
Self-care is super important:
I talk about self-care a lot, but I’m not always so good at following my own advice! Ultimately burn out often points to a lack of self-care or an imbalance in what we are giving out to the world vs what we are taking back for ourselves. We need to balance activities that are necessary with the things we enjoy and make time for the things that we love and give us a sense of wellbeing. This could be a warm bath, going for a walk, eating nourishing food, journaling, gardening or even some Netflix and chill! Yes, even RHOBH if it makes you happy is ok ;) - says me trying to make myself feel a bit better right now for this dreadful habit I’ve picked up!
Check in on yourself:
If you’re feeling overwhelmed like I was, it’s really important to make a point of checking in on yourself to see what is going on. Are you taking on too much? Can you delegate to anyone? Whatever is going on, acknowledge the way you are feeling. I know when I did this I realized how I pretty much had 3 jobs I was juggling, with my own company and two big projects I’d taken on and what I was trying to achieve was not really humanly possible at the best of times, yet alone in the middle of a pandemic - so I really was setting myself up for failure and to feel terrible about myself with my unrealistic goals.
Be connected:
Human connection is so important, and I found that as soon as I started opening up about how I was feeling and heard that I was not alone, I felt instantly better. It’s really important to maintain social contact, so video call your friends and family – schedule regular times for this or make sure you speak to at least one person a day! The more we isolate, the worse it gets, so reach out, be honest about you’re feeling and allow yourself to be vulnerable for a bit and let it all out.
Ultimately, we may be hearing this a lot right now, but we do have to be kind to ourselves. We have to accept that now is simply not “business as usual”. Our bodies are amazing powerful machines, but they are processing so much, a lot of which we are not aware of and the impact it’s having on us and we need to take care of them. So, even if right now we aren’t as productive as we usually are and if we’re not firing on all cylinders, that’s totally ok. It’s “normal” to be a little off kilter right now and if we just do what we need to get by, without putting pressure on ourselves to be the best, win awards, achieve something, learn something new – then that’s ok!
But of course, even as I say all this, if it does get too overwhelming, there is lots of amazing professional help out there and please do get some. I personally rate the team at Lighthouse Arabia so highly – they’ve helped me out on so many occasions.
Is it just me though or do you feel better for knowing that Covid Burn out is a thing?
Bye for now and take care, Tash xx
Marketing Manager | Project Manager| Analytics Expert
4yTotally with you!
Great share - catch a big hug x
I Coach Entrepreneurial CEOs and Business Leaders | Keynote Speaker | Strategic Advisor | Coach for CEOs and Executive Teams | Actively Hiring Strategy Advisors
4yInsightful article, thanks for sharing.
Marketing strategy, business therapy
4yRefreshing and inspiring honesty Tash, hang in there - remember, prioritise!!
2B Limitless Executive Coach & Corporate Wellness Consultant
4yGreat article and so very true! Some goods tips on there. Definitely a time to up the self care, personally had to focus on this in the past few weeks too!