If there is one thing we can all unanimously agree on, it is that 2021 has been a tough year. The challenges we’ve faced coupled with the end of year madness to get everything done had led to most of us feeling lost and confused this week. To add to that, the holly-jolly feeling of Christmas has passed and we’re in the blank space between that and New Year’s Eve where we’re all collectively feeling a lack of motivation.
While we’re waiting for the New Year, it can be difficult to get things done. This feeling of being burnt out and tired is also linked to being overworked and stressed. The end of the year emphasises the saying that the hardest part of any race really is the close to the finish line. If you feel the same way about navigating this weird week in the pandemic, don’t stress. Here’s a complete guide to dealing with the end of the year (EOY) fatigue.
Identify the signs
Constant tiredness
Feelings of helplessness
Lack of motivation
Disrupted sleep patterns
Being irritable
Body and headaches
5 tips to deal with end-of-the-year fatigue
This tired feeling might seem inevitable but there are things you can do to minimise its effect on your body.
Go back to the basics
Make sure you’re drinking enough water, eating well and sleeping on time. Covering the basics will go a long way in helping you feel a sense of normalcy.
Re-evaluate your priorities
Feeling burnout is a sign that something in your life isn’t going to plan. It is a huge sign to slow down and recheck your priorities so you can find out what it is that isn’t working.
Don’t overcommit
If you’re a yes-person, you’re definitely going to feel burnout at some point or the other in life. The best way to avoid it? Learn to say no when necessary. Don’t overcommit to anyone, regardless of it being in your professional or personal life. This will go a long way in recharging your inner battery.
Try a digital detox
We need to take a step back from technology every now and then so that we can retain our clarity about what is important in life. A digital detox will give you time to connect with yourself, your priorities, and your loved ones. We have to stop rewarding ourselves with social media validation and incessant phone checking only reinforces toxic reward cycles. Just think about it, knowing you can switch off your phone whenever you want, without feeling the fear of missing out on things, seem like a major power move, doesn’t it?
Be more mindful of your feelings
When you take time to reconnect with yourself, you end up knowing yourself and your emotions better. Slowing down is a great way to do that and over time, you can build an internal coping system to recognise the warning signs of burn out before you hit rock bottom. Checking in on yourself a few times a day is a great way to be in tune with how you’re feeling.