What is Burnout and How Do I Prevent It?
Burnout: the exhaustion that comes from stress and overworking. Whether you’re building your career, working towards a degree, or caring for children, it happens to the best of us. At the end of a long week, it’s common to feel fatigued, frustrated, and unmotivated — especially amid a pandemic. Here’s how to avoid this universal dread and prevent burnout before it begins.
Prioritize your body’s core needs
Taking care of your physical health is key. Your body continually restores and repairs itself, but during ongoing exhaustion and chronic stress, it struggles to keep up. If you’re feeling constantly energy-depleted, irritated, or even ill, this is your reminder to prioritize your body’s fundamental needs: quality rest, proper fuel, and exercise.
Sleep quality matters
Without quality sleep, your body lacks the opportunity to rejuvenate, cleanse waste from your brain, and re-energize your cells. What’s the best way to make sure you get the most out of your sleep hours? According to the National Sleep Foundation, it is important to establish a consistent bedtime ritual to unwind at the end of a long day.
Treating yourself to the right bedtime drink can make all the difference. We love adding a teaspoon of Dream Honey in our herbal teas before bed. The antioxidants in honey and CBN are perfect agents to promote deeper sleep and stress relief.
The right foods can help energize and de-stress
Combating burnout is all about fuelling our bodies with healthy, nutrient-dense foods. Eating the right foods can also help stabilize your mood and help you wake up energized. Omega-3 fatty acids in foods like fish, nuts, and flaxseeds can act as a natural antidepressant. Tryptophan-rich foods like bananas, cherries, and nut butter help increase serotonin production in your body, which helps you achieve better sleep at night. After a good night of ZZZs, we love taking apple cider vinegar as a morning ritual to start the day off healthy and energized.
If you’re feeling anxious or chronically stressed, try incorporating CBD into your daily diet. Studies show that CBD promotes emotional wellness by bringing balance to your endocannabinoid system. Not sure where to begin? Check out our favorite CBD recipes here.
Our dear friend and culinary cannabinoid expert Jamie Evans aka The Herb Somm also recently launched a book of CBD drink recipes for all occasions if you're in need of more inspiration.
You’re one workout away from a better mood — and better sleep
Maintaining your physical health also means to get moving! We know what it’s like to forget important details, become cynical, and miss the feeling of productivity. You don’t need to dedicate hours to the gym each day to feel the benefits of exercise. Even short workouts and outdoor walks can help improve focus, reduce stress, and improve overall mental health. Did you know that exercise also helps you fall asleep more quickly, improves sleep quality, and decreases insomnia? We’re all about good sleep here at Potli, so this is a win-win.
Make self-care a routine
Lastly, it’s important to discover what your best self-care practices are. Make taking regular breaks a habit by scheduling them into your calendar. Spend time with yourself journaling, reading, or recharging outdoors. Don’t forget to unplug, especially around bedtime, and engage with your support network!
Listen to what your body needs to feel refreshed. If you’re feeling overwhelmed and off balance, integrate a touch of CBD into your daily rituals to get centered again. Whatever you do, make self-care a consistent routine to combat burnout before it begins.