5 Lifestyle Tips to Beat Mental Burnout
Unmotivated? Overwhelmed? Difficulty concentrating? Emotionally drained? If you have any of these symptoms you may be experiencing mental burnout. Here are 5 lifestyle tips that you can implement into your routine to combat mental burnout.
Overcome Mental Burnout
Burnout usually occurs due to long-term stress and overwork. This 3-part series covers the basis for overcoming mental burnout through mindset, nutrition, and wellness. Part 1 of this series discusses the importance of shifting your mindset. Then, part 2 covers foods that you can eat to help fuel your brain. Finally, part 3 discusses lifestyle tips that you can implement daily to help restore your energy.
5 lifestyle tips to combat mental burnout
1. Change up your routine
Are you simply going through the motions of your day or stuck doing the same routine? If you are feeling unmotivated it may be beneficial to add something new to your routine. This can be as simple as listening to music while getting dressed for the day, drinking a calming tea before bed, or spending 5 minutes outside to breathe in the fresh air. Make sure it is something that you enjoy and really savour it!
2. Move your body through gentle exercise
Moving your body increases blood flow through your body and brain which provides oxygen to all your cells and supports their function. However, if you are feeling burned out, it is better to move through gentle exercises, rather than something strenuous that will deplete your energy stores even more. Examples of gentle exercise include walking, yoga, deep breathing/meditation and light cycling. Try something that you will enjoy and that works for you.
3. Have a self-care day
you can schedule this weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly depending on your needs. It can be done as little or as often as you like. This can be very beneficial because it gives your body a break and a chance for you to recharge. We tend to put our health on the back burner when things get busy, so scheduling a self-care day can be a helpful reminder to take care of yourself.
4. Get plenty of sleep
Something so simple, yet so effective. The amount of sleep varies for everyone, some people can run on a few hours, while others need much more. When you are feeling burned out, it is important to not deprive your body of sleep. Aim to get 8 hours of sleep per night. Quality sleep is important because it allows your mind and body time to rest and restore your energy.
5. Supplements to support you
There are many different supplements that can support you with overcoming mental burnout. Listed below are some of my favourites!
Ashwagandha: This herb is known as an adaptogen. Meaning that it can help the body mitigate the unwanted effects of stress. However, unlike most adaptogens, Ashwagandha is calming rather than stimulating. This is beneficial for mental burnout because you don't want to take something too stimulating that will cause an energy crash. Ashwagandha is a great herb to help restore energy levels, promote mental clarity, and reduce stress levels.
B vitamins: Don't underestimate the power of B vitamins! B vitamins have a positive impact on brain function, energy levels, and cell metabolism. They play a key role in the maintenance of general health and well-being. These vitamins are found in various foods and as a B complex supplement.
L-theanine: This supplement promotes relaxation and mental alertness. Read more about it here!
This is part 3 of a 3-part series on mental burnout. Here are parts 1 (mindset) and 2 (nutrition) in case you missed them!
