How to make peace with burnout.

The Make Peace with Stress method transforms every challenge into a catalyst for growth—even burnout.

Learn how to apply this simple method. N.O.W. is an acronym:

N is NOTICE—step 1 is noticing your experience.

O is OPEN—step 2 is to open to the opportunity for growth.

W is WELCOME—step 3 is welcoming what you want.

NOTICE.

Burnout is a state of emotional, physical, and mental exhaustion caused by excessive and prolonged stress. It occurs when you feel overwhelmed, emotionally drained, and unable to meet constant demands, and you begin to lose interest and motivation. Eventually, you may feel like you have nothing left to give.

NOTICE this: Burnout feels like: every day is a bad day, caring about your work or home life is a total waste of energy, you’re exhausted all the time, the majority of your day is either mind-numbingly dull or overwhelming, you feel like nothing you do makes a difference or is appreciated. (SOURCE: helpguide.org)

OPEN.

Trying to push through the exhaustion and continuing as you have been will only cause further emotional and physical damage. Burnout is an undeniable sign that something important in your life is not working and feeling healthy and positive again requires you to recognize the deep need for support and connection.

OPEN to this: Supporting and connecting with yourself is a good start. Put one hand on your heart and the other on your belly. As you breathe say to yourself: I know I’m breathing in. I know I’m breathing out. Then open to getting the support and connection you need from a family member, friend, or yoga therapist.

WELCOME.

Take time to think about your hopes, goals, and dreams. Are you neglecting something that is truly important to you? The feeling of hopelessness is an opportunity to rediscover what really makes you happy and to slow down and give yourself time to rest, reflect, and heal.

WELCOME this: Write a letter to your future self for, maybe one year from now. In your letter tell yourself how proud of you you are for overcoming your burnout and describe in as much detail as possible, what your future life looks and feels like having healed from burnout.