Is it really July? Normally, this time of year arrives with so much fanfare after a busy school year and hectic spring. It marks the beginning of summer and the start of a more relaxed existence for a couple of months. This year, it just kind of…showed up. And I guess it shouldn’t come as a surprise that July caught us out of the blue. Unlike years past, there isn’t much to distinguish the school year from the summer. No graduation ceremonies, goodbye parties or upcoming plans, just a continuation of the same work/home juggling act we’ve been performing for the last four months. Despite what we’d all hoped when this lockdown started, this pandemic life isn’t taking the summer off. It’s staying put and it’s wearing us down. THE BURNOUT FACTOR As I mentioned in my last blog, this lack of transition or “break” from the demands of our new normal is just one of the many reasons we’re experiencing a collective feeling of burnout right now. Humans rely on predictability and boundaries to pace ourselves and without them we can feel overwhelmed. And though burnout isn’t classified as a medical condition, it’s serious and should be dealt with to keep it from spiraling into a more serious problem. These are just some of the common signs of burnout to watch out for:
COPING WITH BURNOUT Preventing burnout is easier said than done these days, but the below strategies can help you keep your exhaustion at bay and cope when life leaves you drained.
Burnout is becoming an increasingly recognized side-effect of COVID-19 control measures as the simultaneous demands of work life and home life take their toll. If you or a loved one are finding it difficult to manage right now, consider the above techniques and contact a mental health professional if you need additional support. Stay safe and stay well.
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AuthorLindsay Ross, MSW RSW, is a clinical social worker in private practice in Toronto, Ontario. Archives
July 2020
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