@FlowerySusan I really hope you listen to what I said about, and realise this is a long term fix. You are a smart woman, with difficult, demanding job. If this was a matter of having a few early nights or some lavender baths, of course you would have thought of that and done it (you probably already have). The reason you posted here is because your normal recover go-to’s aren’t working (and in your job, I am sure you ready have a stable of them!) and you want to know what the next step is. The big answer is, sadly, bigger periods of time off, big change from you as to enforcing boundaries designed to stop your emotional energy being taken, and a ruthless commitment to self-care every day to ‘fill back up’ what the day has taken from you.
This is achievable, but problem is people who usually get to this stage are not good at prioritising themselves, or at putting boundaries up (that’s how they ended up in a care-giving profession, and how they ended up burnt out!) as so they have to learn a new way of behaving as well, which comes at a time when they are less likely to be able to take on a challenge and keep it.
Once the person has had the break, has then gone back with strong boundaries and the absolute commitment to self care, then you need to look at systemic changes. Can you stay in the role, or does it undermine your attempts to stay mentally healthy and do you need to look for something else?
I know you don’t want to hear any of this right now. You wanted a way to get you through the next few weeks, and I am telling you to change your whole life. But start thinking about it. As if things continue, you will be forced to think about it. And it won’t be a case of waiting for the long weekend to relax, but of collapsing and having to take emergency leave immediately.
In the book ‘Burnout to Balance’ by Harriet Griffey on page 129 and onwards, she had a bit on an ‘emergency plan’ for a weekend. It essentially says to:
- cancel every plan (every single one)
- turn off all technology
- sleep as much as you can
- eat nourishing and nutritious meals that require no preparation (as you should be doing nothing). Eg avocados, bananas, pre-made vegetable soup
- obviously no caffeine or stimulants like sugar or chocolate
- only do exercise that is restorative and calming eg walking, gentle yoga etc
- try meditating or soothing music
- no news of upsetting/dramatic tv or books etc
- loose comfy clothing
- stay hydrated
- warm (not hot) baths with lavender etc
- again - sleep as much as you can
This won’t fix it, but it will start to replenish some of your reserves. But they will be depleted the next day you work again, so you need to set those boundaries strongly, and ideally take more time off to really left yourself recover.