Some complaints of people about the feeling of exhaustion in recent times:
"I sleep well, work even less than before, but I feel very tired. It's even hard to just walk"
"I am very helpless, I would like to do more and I do not have the strength. I feel guilty that I can do so little, others are fighting, volunteering, and I'm not so cool"
"The only thing the body is capable of is lying down… I get exhausted very quickly, I haven't had one before"
Emotional burnout or fatigue syndrome has been the subject of many complaints, especially from work. And yet now the context and scale are different.
Do not expect from a psychologist one piece of advice for everyone, all as always individually.
First, understand what are the signs of your exhaustion, its symptoms:
- physical signs: body fatigue, frequent illnesses, frequent headaches, change in appetite or sleep.
- emotional and psychological signs: "swing" mood from exaltation to despair, emotional breakdowns, negative attitudes toward themselves or their lives, anxiety, apathy.
- behavioral symptoms: isolation from other people, procrastination, and spending more time on tasks, drinking alcohol.
Secondly, in what situations, circumstances is it felt most often?
Third, what are your expectations of yourself?
- often accompanied by disappointment in themselves, their abilities
- negative feelings that the "ideal" image of oneself does not coincide with the real one
- reduction of professional efficiency
- exacerbation of self-negativity, self-blame, guilt.
This is the minimum to understand what is happening.
Here are some tips.
Of course, a very supportive tool is to work with a mental health professional. Because when you lack your strength, and the perception of yourself and the world around you is distorted, you need to have someone to "lean on" without burdening family and friends. This is a kind of support system. The specialist will help to find subconscious, hidden reasons.
Prioritize rest and self-care. In fact, if the body no longer wants to move, you will not force it, you must accept it and give it rest, which is more to your liking.
Avoid comparing yourself to others and yourself in good spirits. Self-blame is a dangerous trap. Do not idealize yourself and others, we are all ordinary people.
When it comes to work, divide large tasks into small pieces or tiny ones. This makes them easier to manage and they will disappear from your to-do list.
- Create a circle of support: meetings with people you are interested in, some kind of group activity.
It is normal to get tired in general, especially in such a difficult period, which has never been before in our lives. But this does not mean that nothing can be done about it.
Make your life easier)
Olena Tertyshnyk, May 2022
