How to avoid end of year burnout

Feeling tired, overwhelmed? Feeling like you need a break?

Or perhaps you are wondering how the hell you are going to make it to Christmas let alone through the silly season without feeling like you are about to lose it.

 Feeling like you are nearly at your limit, almost maxed out and need a time out has been the subject on many a conversation the last couple of weeks.

For many people it has not even been a particularly "bad" year, but the return of fully book schedules and the constant demands of work, family and social life have you reaching for that tap out button... Only it doesn't exist.

We have to build out own tap out buttons, based on the things that give ourselves energy and space, both physically and mentally.

There are the grand versions of this like taking time off work or a holiday, honestly let me know if you haven't heard a single person in your life going to or coming back from Bali right now!

But what do you do when you get back, does anything really change, are you still over extending yourself, for where you are currently?

And what about those times when an escape is out of the question?

We are all feeling it to some degree.

We also know that Christmas is just around the corner, a time itself ladened with stress, pressure, expectation and deadlines.

So how to avoid end of year burnout and make it to the new year in a calmer and more balanced way, so you can actually enjoy Christmas or at least the change of season and warmer weather if that's more your thing.

What to do to avoid end of year burnout! 

To start with this may really take some winding back!

Do less.

One approach is to look at (think about) all the things on your calendar, social engagements, obligations, even things like cooking dinner, to see where you can take that time back.

Where can you ask for help, share the load or simply so NO o something that will drain you more than restore.

I say simply, but we all know, saying no especially when you “can” do the thing can be difficult, start by saying no the little things and build your comfort.

This is also the perfect time to notice if there are things that you hate doing, e.g. resent having to cook dinner every night, whatever the negative associations is.

Can you look at it differently, bring a different perspective?

For example, cooking dinner everything, you need to eat (surprise, nutrition is important here too) you get to determine how you nourish your body, what goes into that meal and therefore how you fuel yourself.... To support your energy, mood and physical health. Yes you may also want to outsource a few of these too but can you also look at it with an angle that takes the intensity out of the negative?

This is not blind positivity but rather shifting your energy, towards tasks that sucks for you, and yet still kinda needs to be done, so YOU get that (negative) energy back into your reservoir.

Prioritise Sleep.

We all do it, we all need it, yet it is so often the thing we compromise by staying up late, trying to get a few more tasks done, mind racing and just jump into bed and hope we switch off.

It can also be a really big pain point for some people. If this is you, consider getting dedicated support from someone like a naturopath to help improve this specific to you.

Do you find yourself looking at the cloak in the evening wondering how it got to 10pm and you haven't even brushed your teeth, are half way through folding washing and cooking lunch for tomorrow?

Perhaps you faff about a lot in the evening, until you realise you are running out of time and rush to get it all done and end up going to be late because of it? (do you really need to get it all done?)

Spend 5-10 minutes to plan out the few things you do to get ready for bed and how long that usually takes. Now factor that backwards from the time you want to be in bed and lock that time in your mind.

Maybe even set an alarm to reminder so you don’t have to clock watch or worry about forgetting.

For ease, make this your wind down routine, maybe factor another 5-10 mins so you can move slowly and allow the body and mind to release grip on the day.

Side note: In general it is recommended to be in bed by 10pm so you maximise the opportunity for deep sleep.

There is also sooo sooo much more I could talk about, but to avoid running the risk of overwhelm, confusion or analysis paralysis, start here.

This will set a solid foundation for then prioritising appropriate movement and nutrition.

And always know, if you feel like you need or want dedicated personalised support, reach out. Book a consult or even a discovery call to find out how I can support you and your health.

DISCLAIMER: The information provided in this article is for information purposes only and should not be taken as medical advice. We recommend you consult with a GP or other healthcare professional before taking any action based on this article. While the author uses best endeavours to provide accurate and true content, we make no guarantees or promises regarding the accuracy, reliability or completeness of the information presented. If you rely on any information provided in this article, you do so at your own risk.