Summer in Manitoba means hot weather, Folk Fest, visits to Clear Lake and patio nights. After a cold winter nothing beats the heat of summer. However, summer can also mean spreading ourselves too thin with social plans with friends, family commitments and outdoor activities on top of work. It can be easy to find ourselves saying yes to more things than we have time for. Summer is an opportunity to recharge after a winter that feels like a grind and create good habits for when the fall air hits.
So before you get burnt by summer… let’s talk about burnout. Burnout is more than feeling stressed at work because of an upcoming deadline. It’s feeling unable to keep up with the demands of life, a persistent fatigue and being depleted from long term stress. It’s feeling like Sisyphus pushing the boulder up the mountain, only to watch it roll back down and then push it up again, day after day. Although burnout is common due to workplace environments, it can also be from social commitments and people-pleasing, caregiving and/or parenting, putting high expectations on yourself or having an unsustainably full schedule. Some days it feels like so many things in our lives are outside of our control (see the circle of control blog post for a more in-depth dive into control). However, the good news is that burnout is something that we can influence!
Recognizing burnout
– Feeling exhaustion that does not go away with a good sleep or a day of rest
– Irritability and feeling only able to see the negative side of things
– Lack of motivation and feeling like withdrawing from socializing
– Physical symptoms like stomach/sleep issues and headaches
So what do you do if you notice some of these signs?
Boundaries!
Setting (and enforcing) boundaries doesn’t mean saying no to every invite or not responding to any messages. Boundaries protect your energy so that you can still engage in the priorities that bring meaning to your life. Sticking to boundaries can be hard when it feels like FOMO or the pressure to say yes sneaks in. Being clear about what boundaries you need can help in moments of feeling like you might say yes to something that you should be saying no to.
Being mindful and present
This helps us connect with how we are feeling. If we don’t start to notice feeling overwhelmed or irritable, it can be hard to see it before were stuck in a spiral. If we can notice starting to feel overwhelmed by how busy the calendar is, we can reflect on what needs to be changed to better support ourselves. Being present in the moment also helps combat that defeating feeling of all the things on our to-do lists. And mindfulness can help ground us while finding gratitude and optimism for the little things that keep us going.
Self care
Crush those basic needs! Sleep, food, water, joyful movement and social connection.
Find genuine connection
Disconnect from what drains you and connect to what serves you. Find time to take a break from your phone, your work, or whatever it is that is overwhelming. Connect with things like hobbies and other people.
Find the support you need
Reach out for help if it feels like too much to carry on your own. You don’t have to feel like you’re rolling that boulder up the hill alone. Our therapists are here to support you and help you achieve boundary setting, mindfulness and self care.
As you make your summer plans, remember that rest is productive too! Leave room in your schedule for quiet moments, flexibility, and the activities that truly recharge you. The goal isn’t to do it all. The goal is to enjoy the season in a way that supports your well-being long after summer ends.
