How to Properly Recover from Severe Burnout: A Complete Guide

The severity of burnout syndrome can cause problems in the future that will prove more difficult than you might realize. Once you experience these problems, the effects can be as detrimental as the effects brought on by trauma. In the most extreme cases, burnout syndrome can even cause brain damage and other health problems.

There are a number of different ways that you can go about recovering from severe burnout. Identifying and recognizing symptoms is the first step, but it’s also important to isolate the symptoms and determine the cause. This will help you choose the appropriate path to recovery.

In this article, you will learn about various ways to help yourself, or someone else, properly recover from burnout syndrome. While experimenting with different methods can be frustrating, it is essential that you try your best to find what works best for you. If you’re interested in the symptoms of how to identify and recover from severe burnout, just keep reading.

How to Recover from Severe Burnout

By familiarizing yourself with some or all of these steps, you will be open to opportunities that will allow you to recover from burnout syndrome properly. Unless you learn the basics of the steps to take, you might not be able to benefit from trying to improve.

As burnout syndrome can become a severe problem itself, not to mention becoming the root of other issues, it is important that you invest your time into learning the path to recovery that works best for you.

You should keep in mind that not all of these methods might not prove useful to you. Do not get frustrated. Burnout syndrome is itself enough of a problem to deal with on its own. It is essential that you keep as positive of an outlook as you can on your situation.

Recognize Your Symptoms

One of the most valuable keys to beginning your path to recovery involves developing the ability to recognize symptoms of burnout syndrome. Recognizing a change in your own habits and behaviors is a challenge.

If you have experienced these symptoms before, you are more likely to know when they are starting up again. Before being able to do this, however, you must learn how to establish awareness that the symptoms are present.

Even minor differences in your everyday routine can be signs of burnout, especially if you have been recently overworking yourself.

If you have any reason to believe that you might be experiencing early signs of burnout syndrome, knowing what to look for can help immensely. Below is a list showing a number of behavioral changes that might be early signs of burnout syndrome.

Extreme fatigue	You think you have been getting just as much sleep as normal, but you feel extremely tired throughout the day. Fatigue is often one of the most prominent early signs of burnout syndrome.
High-stress levels	You feel that the work you have been completing or the daily life you have been living is causing excess amounts of stress that have been taking a toll on you and making you feel the extra weight on your shoulders. Chronic stress can result from unmanaged burnout syndrome.
High anxiety levels	You find yourself worrying or constantly panicking about things like presentations to be executed or projects to be completed. High levels of anxiety are the last of the biggest three signs of burnout syndrome.
Low motivation	You might not be familiar enough with stress, anxiety, or fatigue, but you can tell that your motivation has taken a noticeable decline. You feel less inclined to complete your work or perform any other basic daily functions.
Extreme disorganization	You find that you cannot stay focused enough to keep your affairs in order. This is not a simple case of forgetting to do one assignment. Extreme disorganization can cause major setbacks in your work or school life, leading to more problems in everyday life.

These are just a few of the most common signs of approaching burnout syndrome, though there are other signs that might reveal burnout as well. These, however, are sure signs that you might need to consider the effects of your work life more seriously.

As you will learn in the next section, there might be different ways that prove more efficient in aiding the recovery of burnout syndrome brought on by various symptoms.

Isolate Your Symptoms to Find the Best Recovery Method

Different signs and symptoms of burnout might require different techniques to aid in recovery. One of the best ways to treat your burnout syndrome is by having the ability to know which symptoms affect you the most and developing the techniques required to recover from those specific symptoms.

There are different ways that might yield more successful results than others when used for various symptoms. You do not want to treat symptoms with techniques that might not be suited for particular situations.

For example, an instance of extreme fatigue will need to be treated with methods that will enable a person to find a way to gain and utilize energy. In the case of high levels of anxiety, however, you will want to stay away from stimulating methods that can trigger even higher levels of anxiety.

Here is more symptom-specific information regarding guidelines to keep in mind on your path to recovery from burnout syndrome:

Low Motivation or Fatigue

If you’re experiencing symptoms dealing with low motivation or extreme fatigue, the remedy is usually adding stimulation. These symptoms require recovery methods that will inspire taking action and getting back to work. If your burnout syndrome has been caused by tiredness and fatigue, sometimes the best way to recover from that is simply to find a groove in which you are comfortable working again.

High Stress and Anxiety

This stems from overstimulation. Find recovery methods that help to calm you down, relax, and refocus your mind on approaching your day one step at a time. If you get yourself too worked up in trying to recover, you might find yourself as disorganized, anxious, and stressed as before.

These are the two main paths you might look to follow when deciding how to go about your recovery from burnout syndrome. The first two steps to recovering from burnout are important because they will help you familiarize yourself with the predicament you find yourself in. You want to ensure that you can find the most efficient path to recovery possible.

Educate Yourself on Long-Term Effects

Studies have shown that failure to take proper care of burnout syndrome can lead to problems as serious as brain damage and other health troubles. It is probably a good idea to educate yourself on the health problems that can result from burnout syndrome in order to motivate you to strengthen your attempts at recovery.

True, it can be a daunting subject to learn about, but if anything, it will give you a different perspective on your situation.

Below are a few brief explanations that can result if you fail to treat your burnout syndrome properly. Again, this information is not meant to frighten you but rather to educate you on the severity of the situation you might fall into.

Managing severe burnout is essential for recovery, and knowing what happens if you can not manage it correctly is a good way to convince you that recovery is important.

Brain damage	Symptoms can develop into detrimental problems for your brain, causing parts that influence aggression to enlarge and parts that deal with emotional expression, motor function, and motivation to shrink or thin.
Other health problems	Brain damage is not the only risk you can face with burnout syndrome. Studies have shown that chronic stress can cause side effects that lead to coronary heart disease, the most common heart disease in the United States.
Inability to function day-to-day	Untreated burnout syndrome can cause problems on a much larger scale than just your work; it can affect your social life, mental health, and overall daily functionality.

Take Your Mind Off of The Situation

One of the most effective ways to aid with recovery from burnout syndrome is to simply forget about it. Of course, it is not as simple as that. Burnout is a serious issue that must be taken care of and managed properly, but sometimes getting your mind off of it is the best way to relieve yourself of the stress, anxiety, and fatigue that comes with burnout syndrome.

There are a number of different methods you can experiment with and put into practice in order to get your mind off of the problems you face with burnout syndrome.

Whether it involves exercise, reading, or any other hobby you might have, clearing your mind temporarily can have lasting effects on how quickly you recover from burnout syndrome.

While it is important that you stay focused on your goal of recovering, it can be difficult to constantly stay hard at work. Taking a brain break on occasion can help just as much as accomplishing a major goal on your path to recovery.

Exercising

Getting active can be beneficial for a number of things – not just relieving your mind of any pressure for a short time. Physical activity can help decrease your anxiety levels and release extra stress that might build up inside your body.

Can also be a good idea to incorporate exercise – or some sort of physical activity – into a daily schedule to help you focus on one goal at a time. Being active can also keep your mind sharp and your energy levels up.

Meditation

Maybe staying active is not for you. Well, sitting back and relaxing for a while can also be a great way to ease your mind. You can do this by actually meditating, reading, going for a short walk, or any other technique you might find helpful. Relaxation can help you slow down and get a different perspective on your recovery process.

Socializing

Friends and family, as will be discussed in more detail later in the article, are one of the major keys to a successful recovery.

Burnout syndrome can cause you to shut down and isolate yourself. This can be unhealthy because it can cause you to lose connection with the outside world. It can be extremely beneficial to take care of your social life in order to stimulate a better attitude to support your recovery.

Other Interests

If none of these techniques sound helpful to you, consider doing anything you personally find interest in to get your mind off of the struggles of burnout syndrome. As long as you find something that you can enjoy doing, it does not necessarily matter what it is. If it distracts you from your struggles, it can help you.

No matter what category you choose, distraction can benefit you in the long run. While trying your best to recover quickly is important, it is not always healthy to try without giving yourself a break once in a while. If you fail to relax and distract yourself, you can fall into a deeper, more severe case of burnout syndrome.

Get Professional Help

It can be not easy to accept the fact that you might need to seek professional assistance to get help during your recovery process. But getting advice from someone who is learned in the exact problem you are dealing with can be one of the best ways to learn ways to cope with your problem.

Therapists can be a tough path to follow if you are not open to sharing your problems with someone you do not know. Still, part of your recovery process might benefit from developing new relationships, and doing so with a therapist is an easy way to accomplish that goal.

It is also important to acknowledge the fact that burnout syndrome is an official medical issue that can require more serious recovery methods. You should not feel embarrassed if you think you might need professional help. Everyone experiences the process of recovery differently, and you must do what is necessary to ensure your improvement.

Learn How to Avoid Rising Signs

Another effective technique that can be useful is learning how to avoid consequences that might arise from oncoming signs of burnout syndrome. If you are familiar with signs that cause you to sense an onslaught of burnout or brain fog, you will be better prepared to stop those signs from becoming more prevalent.

Once you are familiar with the different symptoms and signs that come with burnout syndrome, it can be beneficial for you to learn how to tune out those signs and symptoms when you sense that they are approaching.

Oftentimes, people who struggle with burnout syndrome are not equipped with the skills to avoid the onslaught of symptoms. When this happens, they can get thrown into a seemingly inescapable cycle of burnout syndrome.

Below are some circumstances that might cause symptoms of burnout syndrome and techniques to keep in mind when learning how to avoid rising signs.

Overworking	If you start to feel any sort of stress, anxiety, or fatigue from working long hours, it might be a sign that burnout is approaching. You can try to avoid the effects of these signs by making sure that you take regular breaks and divvy out projects and assignments that you need to complete.
Procrastination	Procrastinating can cause very high levels of anxiety, paired with decreased motivation. Anxiety is one of the major causes of burnout syndrome. To prevent yourself from raising your anxiety and worrying too much about projects ahead of you, hold yourself accountable in situations that require you to take responsibility and complete assignments.
Sleep deprivation	Sleep deprivation can also bring on a large number of effects that can lead to burnout, especially when those effects are paired with long days of work. Added fatigue can decrease productivity immensely, resulting in larger amounts of stress and anxiety. Make sure you keep a strict sleep schedule to support your recovery process.
Self-negligence	If you start to notice signs that you are not taking good care of yourself, you might also feel the early effects of burnout syndrome. Even if you are not aware that your stress or anxiety levels have risen or that you are more tired than normal, evidence that you are not taking care of yourself properly could reveal that burnout syndrome is approaching. Make sure to take care of yourself physically and mentally by taking care of your health, hygiene, and other things.

Stay Optimistic

No matter what the circumstance may be, any type of recovery process can be extremely difficult and frustrating. And as cheesy as it might sound, staying positive can have an enormous effect on your process solely for the purpose of keeping a good attitude. Optimism can prove very beneficial for accomplishing goals.

If you do not keep an open mind when trying to recover from burnout syndrome, it will certainly be a more difficult experience. The way you approach a situation can absolutely be a major deciding factor in how well you perform. Here are some techniques that might come in handy to keep a positive attitude:

Know that others struggle with the same problems as you. The awareness that you are not the only person dealing with burnout syndrome can be a reassuring thing to take notice of, especially if you learn about people who have successfully recovered from burnout syndrome.
Awarding yourself when you achieve small steps in your path to recovery is a great way to keep up the good work and stay positive. If you keep track of the minor successes you complete, you might find yourself wanting to get to those final steps more quickly.
Find methods to help you recover that work best for you personally. If you base your recovery process off of positive results that other people have had, you might not find the same success as them, and this can become frustrating. Stay positive by experimenting for yourself and succeeding with the methods that suit you best.

Find Comfort in Those Around You

Getting professional help might be a last resort situation for you. Perhaps you might be more inclined to share your struggles with people close to you.

It might make you more comfortable to know that the person or people you are sharing private information with our close friends or family that you trust to share said information with.

Family and friends can be literally everything when it comes to your path to recovery. If you choose to isolate yourself and attempt to become better on your own, you will find that the process is not so easily completed.

Think about it: growing up with certain friends and family members means that you have likely developed at least a few unbreakable bonds with a number of the people in your life. These people understand you and your struggles, and the chances are that they will be ready and willing to support and assist you during your recovery process.

Practice Organization

Setting up a schedule, organizing your day, and incorporating other organization techniques into your life can be great ways to simplify the process of properly recovering from burnout syndrome. Knowing that you have a solidified method or way of doing things can further reassure you that you are trying your best to improve the symptoms of your burnout syndrome.

If you do not consider yourself a particularly organized person, burnout syndrome can make your situation all the more disturbing. With so many things going through your mind, it can be extremely difficult to stay focused and keep your sights set on things that need to be done. Below are multiple ways to stay organized during your recovery process.

If you do choose to continue working during recovery, plan your days before you pursue them. If you wake up having an idea of what you need to do for the day, you will be better prepared, and thus, better productive. Planning your professional workday can take away excess stress and anxiety that comes from taking your day head-on with no prior organization.
Along with organizing a professional schedule, incorporating planned breaks and times for relaxation is just as important as setting work goals. This continued addition to your schedule will add even more organization, giving you more familiarity with your day so that you can more easily achieve your goals. And, as mentioned before, setting aside time for breaks gives you a chase to regroup and hone your focus on specific things.
Keep a steady routine of physical activity. It does not have to be anything overwhelming – unless, of course, you like intense workouts. A short walk, a few minutes of stretching, or simple exercises are sufficient ways to improve both your physical and mental health, allowing you to further clear your mind and stay focused during your path to recovery.

Try Something New

Do not be afraid to put yourself out of your comfort zone when you are going through the process of recovering from burnout syndrome. Especially if you are having trouble finding techniques that aid in your recovery, trying something new or unfamiliar to you might be the best way to find the technique(s) that work best.

Burnout syndrome can be a very disorienting problem to deal with. It might be beneficial for you to try anything and everything that you can in order to get yourself back on track. Recovering for the purpose of getting back to work is essential, but what might even prove more important is recovering simply for the purpose of being healthy again.

You might be surprised to find that if you set your mind to achieving your goal of recovery, you will not just bring yourself back to “normal.” You will have improved in multiple facets of your life because of the struggle that you have endured.

Takeaway

As you can see, there are a number of different techniques that can be put into place when trying to recover from burnout syndrome. As long as you find the method(s) that work best for you, you should be able to improve the process of bettering your condition and finding ways to prevent further problems in the future.

The important thing is that you find what feels most comfortable to you and roll with the progress. As long as you stay focused on your path towards recovery, you should reach your goals in no time.

The most vital things to keep in mind during the process of your recovery are that you are not alone, burnout syndrome is not an issue that should be taken lightly, and staying focused on your goals through organization and determination is the most surefire way to make your attempts at recovery effective.

Burnout syndrome is a problem that affects numerous people on a large scale, but that does not mean it can not be managed.

Content Disclaimer

The information contained above is provided for information purposes only. The contents of this article are not intended to amount to advice and you should not rely on any of the contents of this article. Professional advice should be obtained before taking or refraining from taking any action as a result of the contents of this article. HealthWorkerBurnout.com disclaims all liability and responsibility arising from any reliance placed on any of the contents of this article.

Copyright Notice

These works are protected by copyright laws and treaties around the world. We grant to you a worldwide, non-exclusive, royalty-free, revocable licence to view these works, to copy and store these works and to print pages of these works for your own personal and non-commercial use. You may not reproduce in any format any part of the works without our prior written consent.