How to Get Rid of Fatigue?

According to an Indeed survey of 1,500 employees, burnout is rising. More than 52% of the respondents suffered from fatigue in 2021, which was 43% in a survey conducted by the platform before the (Covid-19) pandemic.

Note: This article is based on the blogger and entrepreneur Kelly Lynn Adams, who tells us about her experience with getting rid of burnout.

Baby Boomers show a 7% increase in fatigue, and Gen-Xers are about 14% more than last year.

Fatigue does not happen suddenly. It is a state of emotional, physical, and mental exhaustion caused by constant and excessive fatigue.

Sometimes fatigue can be beneficial and is used to help increase performance when work stresses out. Still, when fatigue becomes constant without rest and relaxation and becomes chronic, it can cause a weakened immune system, anxiety, depression, insomnia, weight gain or loss, and increased irritability.

I suffered from exhaustion when I ignored the signs and signals that my mind and body were sending. One day, I was working on a massive project when I looked at the clock and saw that it was 4:30 in the evening. I realized that I had not eaten or drunk or anything and had not gone to the bathroom since seven o'clock that morning. I eventually arrived at the hospital with adrenal fatigue which has caused some chronic diseases, and it took three months to fully recover, taking the time to pay attention to all the signs of fatigue that may appear in your life.

Psychologists Herbert Freudenberger and Gail North have identified the 12 stages of fatigue syndrome, listed below:

1. Excessive ambition: Working harder to prove yourself.
2. Work harder: Working longer hours and being unable to stop.
3. Neglecting personal care and needs: Neglecting self-care, such as eating, exercising, sleeping, and socializing.
4. Ignore your differences: Ignore your problems.
5. Change your principles: There is only time for work. Your only focus is on work, and you have no time for entertainment, friends, or family.
6. Denial: Denying external problems and blaming others.
7. Introversion: No social life or interaction with those you love.
8. Behavioral changes: Apparent changes in behavior with family and friends, inability to focus, or increased sensitivity.
9. Depersonalization: Not seeing value for yourself or others and losing touch with yourself and your needs.
10. Inner emptiness: Feeling empty, anxious, or addictive behavior.
11. Depression: An increased feeling of meaninglessness in your life, loss, and lack of interest.
12. Complete exhaustion: Mental or physical fatigue and symptoms may require medical attention.

How to overcome fatigue and recover from it?

External and internal stressors will always be present in life. However, you should not compromise your health, happiness, and relationships. Here are some of the tools and techniques that I have found helpful:

1. Identify the source: What thoughts or activities contribute to fatigue, anxiety, and stress? What are alternative ways of thinking about the situation or different actions you could take?
2. Rethink yourself: How do you feel right now? How do you want to feel? Awareness is key when assessing a situation and checking yourself in.
3. Ask for help: Talk to a psychiatrist, or use a coach, connect with friends and family members you trust, and don't stand still. Everyone needs help. It's okay to ask for help and support.
4. Set aside time for work and leisure each week: Does your current schedule support you? Take a look at your current work schedule and adjust it to support your productivity, and schedule time for rest and leisure during the week.
5. Commit to doing something for yourself daily: How often do you do things for others before you do something for yourself? Commit to doing something for yourself every day. It could be something as simple as a five-minute walk, reading ten pages of a book, taking a break, or connecting with a friend.
6. Taking a day off for no reason: Give yourself a day off for your mental health, away from distractions, and see what happens. Your view of life may change.
7. Exercising, Meditation, and EFT Experiment: Sport is essential, and you can do stretching, dancing, walking, meditating, or even washing dishes or staring at a candle, practice Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT), which is an alternative tool that involves tapping different pressure points on the body while speaking positive phrases to help relieve physical pain and emotional distress.
8. Reclaim your strength: Set limits and work with them. We always say yes to the requests of others and put their needs before ours, so regain your strength and set limits for yourself and others.
9. Pay attention to your needs: What do you need now? Are you getting enough sleep and staying flexible? It's very simple, but you always ignore your basic needs, so think and then take the appropriate action.
10. Remember what brings you joy: What makes you happy and brings you happiness? How often do you do these things? Look at your happiness and at the things that bring you happiness.
11. Practicing self-compassion and celebrating accomplishments: You must empathize with yourself daily. You are doing a great job. How often do you recognize your achievements? Think about the progress you've made in the past five to 10 years, you don't have to wait for others to celebrate your accomplishments, but you can become your own biggest cheerleader.

You can overcome and recover from burnout, so be curious, and mindful and use the tools, techniques, and strategies that can help you in the future.