How do I overcome emotional exhaustion

[pinkpukkapad]

I feel completely worn out. These have been a really hard 8 months and I've had very little support. I'm in a bit of a stressful job, which normally I love, but it's so hard to deal with it right now on top of everything else. And I'm struggling with working from home and not seeing anyone face to face. It's starting to affect my ability to do my job, I just can't seem to concentrate properly. The deadlines are piling up and it feels insurmountable and I feel a bit overwhelmed.

This week in particular I've had trouble sleeping and headaches and my emotional tank feels totally empty. I don't have the energy to have much empathy for others at the minute, which is so totally unlike me. I'm an introvert but I'm still not getting the social/relational quota that I need and it's so difficult. I can't sleep because I feel so empty, which is counterproductive because I need sleep because I'm so exhausted. How do I deal with this?

Speak to the gp. Get signed off.
Be at home. Go for walks amongst the trees. Breathe deeply. Don't be hard on yourself, see your mental health as an important project.

Start by talking to your line manager. Maybe you need some time off work.
Are you getting out of the house at all? Fresh air works wonders.

I agree with you though. I am fed up of the four walls of my spare bedroom. I'm craving a bit of office banter. And I'm finding I'm working longer hours with fewer breaks than I do in the office. We've been very busy in work, and that's going to continue into the new year.

Do you have any annual leave left to book? If so I’d suggest either a full week off, a day here and there isn’t enough to help you feel rested. If you really don’t have enough for that then take off the start of a week and operate on an ignorance is bliss basis for a couple of days to focus on you then return to work. This is my approach to getting as much as I can out of my leave. I agree that spending time outdoors is a good idea too. Also see if you can arrange video chats with friends or a walk with one other person which is allowed.