FEELING OVERWHELMED AND EXHAUSTED? YOU COULD BE DEALING WITH SEASONAL BURNOUT. HERE, LIFE DESIGN AND CAREER COACH SELINA BARKER SHARES HER SIMPLE STEPS TO HELP RECLAIM YOUR ENERGY AND THRIVE THIS SUMMER…
At first thought, the summer months are associated with carefree behaviour — breezy beach days, shady hikes, and exciting holidays. But balancing our already busy lives with new social commitments, time off work, and the simple pressure to have fun can leave many of us feeling exhausted, overstretched and overwhelmed – in fact, burnt out.
Back in 2019, burnout was thought to be purely work based, being described by the World Health Organization as an ‘occupational phenomenon’, as a result of chronic workplace stress. However, the incredible pressures of the past three years have shown us that work isn’t the only cause.
Selina Barker, a life design and career change coach, and the author of Burnt Out: The Exhausted Person’s Six-Step Guide To Thriving In A Fast-Paced World (Octopus, £14.99), explains: ‘Burnout is a state of feeling emotionally, physically and mentally exhausted, as a result of excessive and prolonged stress. It is our body’s way of signalling there’s an energy crisis taking place, and that something has to change. When we reach this point of exhaustion, we feel like we can no longer cope with our daily responsibilities. We can struggle to focus, lose compassion for others, and find it hard to switch off or sleep.’
It can feel like there’s no escape. But, according to Barker, there is: ‘Thankfully, burnout is not a fixed state of being. By identifying what has been causing you to burnout, and learning how to manage your energy and design your day so that you can thrive, you can break free from burnout and become more energised, calmer, and more fulfilled than ever.
‘Managing burnout begins with reclaiming your energy levels, so you can not only feel good in yourself, but you can also create the life you truly deserve.
‘I recommend that my clients try a range of different strategies that I know will help them feel more motivated. Incorporating just a few of these into your daily routine will help to restore a sense of calmness, and to tackle the symptoms experienced by burnout,’ says Barker.
To help make the most of your summer without totally wearing yourself out, try these top tips…
1 Summer is a time to pack in social events and activities that we can’t do at any other time of year, but it’s also a brilliant
