FIVE NATURAL WAYS TO RECOVER FROM BURNOUT

Burnout is in essence physical and emotional exhaustion. Some symptoms of burnout include ongoing fatigue and constantly feeling demotivated – and it occurs when you experience long-term stress or physical or emotional strain.

Burnout develops gradually; the early stages symptoms are not noticeable, but once it progresses, it can impair our capacity to carry out even simple daily tasks. Chronic stress may develop over months or even years, but it can also appear more quickly as a result of extreme stress at work or in ourpersonal life.

Our wellness team outlines some of the ways we can naturally deal with burnout or avoid letting it happen in the first place.

Sleep
Experts advise that mental health concerns are more prevalent when we consistently get less than six hours of sleep. It’s a major burnout contributing factor since stress is exacerbated by sleep deprivation.

The best ways to develop positive sleeping habits are to establish a regular sleep schedule and to stay attuned to your body’s circadian cycle. Go to sleep and wake up at the same time every day with at least seven hours of sleep a night. This is a foundation for ensuring that the body starts out rested and ready to deal with the day ahead.

To promote better sleep, give your body a signal that it’s time to start shutting down. Take a warm bath, read or listen to calming music before bed and make sure that your bedroom is decluttered, has the right temperature and is peaceful.

Take time out in nature
Once upon a time, humans would spend hours in nature – resting their mind or stimulating it with books, creativity and their surroundings. Today we live in a digital world and there seems to be no escape from the pressures of life, thoughts or screens.

Take some time out to immerse yourself in nature by going for a walk, a swim or just spending more time by the window or near flowers and natural greenery.  The therapeuticproperties are endless and it’s why Kamalaya Koh Samui Wellness Sanctuary & Holistic Spa is surrounded by an abundance of greenery, wildlife, fauna and flora – we truly believe in the healing power of nature.

Nourish from within
Incorporate lots of mood-enhancing food into your diet, such as wholesome foods rich in vitamins and omega-3 fatty acids.

Omega-3 is one of the best natural antidepressants and foods such as fish, walnuts and flaxseed oilhave been clinically proven to help improve your mood. For inspiration, take a look at our selection of recipes developed by Kamalaya’s expert culinary team.

It’s natural to need help
Many of us feel that we must deal with the whole weight of the world by ourselves and that asking for help is a sign of weakness.

But the truth is, humans are tribal animals, and we wouldn’t have survived as a species without helping each other. Even though our living standards and security may have changed – we still need help from time to time. Even if it’s just to talk about how you’re feeling.

Ask friends, family or colleagues for help if you are overwhelmed. Even if somebody can help you prepare a batch of meals for the week or pick up the kids from school to give you a few hours off. Talk to a professional or somebody that you trust. Kamalaya also offers Stress Management as part of its mental and emotional wellness programs.

Mindfulness and meditation
Mindfulness is being fully aware of our thoughts and feelings at that moment – being present and experiencing life with all the senses. Stress on the other hand is often our body’s primary response to feeling threatened and, in most cases, it’s imagined or caused by being under a lot of pressure.

By being mindful and in the moment – a practice that can be achieved best when used with meditation – our thoughts have no choice but to focus on the here and now. It’s less stressful because we’re not anxious about the future or worried about the past – we are focused on what’s happening now.

Kamalaya offers an abundance of classes and guidance for meditative practice. View the complete selection of holistic therapies on our mindfully designed wellness menu.