Working full-time, taking care of your children (or your parents), endless to-do lists, errands, household work, and so on. It can be overwhelming, to say the least, when everything piles up. In addition, our overstimulating society is constantly vying to grab our attention. Sometimes when we are overwhelmed, we can succumb to revenge procrastination. We feel depleted by the end of the day, completely tuning out and giving in to numbing television or the endless scroll of social media. Those things give you temporary moments of pleasure and relief, but it will only add to your numbness in the end.
People often feel burnt out because they’re doing too much. Perhaps you’re doing too little of the things that make you feel alive. Finding ways to feel less burnt out and overstimulated starts with letting go of what happens to drain and deplete you, and finding more connection to the things that bring you life.
The following 8 amazing tips will help you find more peace, connection and inspiration for what truly makes you feel alive.
Dedicate at least one full day a week off socials
Socials can be extremely addicting and an easy mind-numbing escape from the day-to-day grind. Too much time spent on social media can negatively affect not just our mental health, but our energy too. A temporary escape that makes you feel more depleted than renewed.
Do you ever notice how 10 minutes can turn into a full hour of being on social media without even realizing it? The time warp occurs when we least expect it sometimes, by letting our minds get lured in by the seduction of distraction. The constant checking of social media in any free moments and out of boredom can seem insignificant, but the time adds up greatly.
Taking one full day off social media per week can help redirect your time in ways that will truly fill your cup. Use this extra opportunity in your day to spend time with yourself or your loved ones. Be fully present. Take one day off social media and see how much extra time you add back into your day.
More time in nature
Nature is one of the most healing places to escape to. It’s one of the most nourishing places for your soul and your mind. The calming effect it can have on your mind will also help improve your attention, lower your stress, and better your mood.
When you’re feeling burnt out in life it can help to clear your mind and put things into perspective. With a clearer mind, you will be able to see the ways in which you can start prioritizing your life better. See what you need to let go of or move on from.
Going to your local park for a walk, going for a hike on the weekend, or even taking your lunch outside and having a picnic somewhere will help refresh and elevate your spirit. Nature has a beautiful way of calming our nervous system.
When you have a constant go-go-go mentality and fast paced hurrying from one thing to the next, it can leave you feeling depleted. Turning to a renewing activity, like spending more time in nature will help reset your mind.
The pace of nature is slow. Everything grows and blooms at their intended time. Slowing down to the pace of nature, even for a moment, can help release all the heaviness you’ve been carrying. Like dandelion seeds in the wind, you can exhale these burdens and let the earth swallow them up. Let nature be your respite for a soul less burdened and more free.
Less overall screen time
Spending one day off social media will make a massive improvement on your mental health, but spending less time overall on screen devices will help improve your overall wellness. Less time spent on screens will also give you more time for things that give you more meaning to life.
Time to be fully present with your loved ones, or even just yourself. Time to enjoy a good meal and good conversation. Time to work on something that brings you joy. Time to explore your passions and what lights you up inside.
You may not even realize how much more time is available to you by just cutting down on your overall screen time. You can do this in small increments if it feels overwhelming to you. Spend one less night a week on screens to have a board game night or cook a great meal and cuddle up and read a book afterwards. Or, you can wait until a certain time during your day to be on screens and use the extra time instead to journal or go for a walk.
If you begin your day with presence and mindfulness, extracting the noise of the outside world, it will help you set your day up for more intention and direction.
Start reading more
Devoting time to read can sound like such a simple activity you may brush off as unimportant or a waste of time, but it is often the simplest of activities that can have the greatest impact on our mental health and wellbeing. Reading can create inspiration, open your mind, and gain more introspection.
You can read anything from a self-help book to a fiction novel. Let your mind escape to a world of possibilities and imagination. Replacing screen time for time to read will open up a world of richness and help you become more grounded in the present. Learning to be more grounded in the present through activities like reading will help bring more meaning and fulfillment to your life.
Alone time for self-reflection, introspection and prayer
Taking time for reflection, introspection and prayer will help center you and your inner compass. It will help you refocus. Journaling can be a time to express your thoughts and everything you’re going through. You can reflect and see what things in your life are working for you and what things are not. What things are pushing you towards the life you want, and what things are holding you back.
You can also use this time of looking inward to find what your true calling is, or isn’t. It can be a time to see the areas you still need healing, so you do not repeat old behaviors and habits.
Prayer can be a tool, asking for guidance you may seek. In the stillness of your mind, you will hear the answers you seek.
Tend to meaningful relationships in your life
Life is precious, so be intentional with the time you have. Invest your time and energy into your most meaningful relationships. The rewards of such intentionality will be immeasurable. When you look back on your life, you will be most grateful for the time you spent tending to the gardens of the relationships that fill you up the most.
Say “I love you” as often as you can, but more importantly show that love as love is a verb. Tell your loved ones how much you love and appreciate them. Send handwritten notes in the mail or leave little love notes for those who live with you. Plan fun activities or getaways together. Let them know and feel how much they are cherished.
Every moment you have with your loved ones is precious. Make the most of the time you have with them. Make memories and savor every little moment.
Taking time to tend to your most meaningful relationships will nurture your soul. Having connections is what we crave in this world. It is why we turn to our devices and social media.
We crave that human connection. To not feel so alone in this world. What if instead of draining your energy with mindless scrolling, you put intention into real connections. I can guarantee the latter will bring the most meaning and depth to your life.
Spend more time with animals
Just like nature, animals are also healing to the soul. Animals can teach us so much about how to be present, to have empathy, and to love unconditionally. During times when you feel particularly overburdened and burnt out, animals can love on you and remind you of all the goodness in life.
Taking time to cuddle, hug or pet animals is also incredibly stress relieving. The weight of everything you have been carrying soon melts away the moment you step into their world. Animals are very intuitive and can sense when something is wrong.
They will naturally want to be close to you, lay on your lap, rub on your legs for pets, or lick your face when they can sense you need that extra love. That’s one of the most beautiful things about animals, is their pure unconditional love, like that of a child.
Spending more time with animals will help ground you more in the present. Sometimes that is what we need the most when we have become so disconnected in our overstimulated world and feeling burnt out. Their loving nature can help remind you of what’s really important in life and to be more mindful in how you spend your time.
Do more of what makes you feel alive
Lastly, do more of what makes you come alive. Carve out time in your day or week to spend a few hours doing the things that you’re passionate about or bring you light.
This could be a creative project you’re working on, making time for friends who make you laugh and feel good, doing an activity that you absolutely love, or going to an environment or place that fuels your soul.
Whatever it is that brings you joy, do more of that, and you will inevitably feel more joy. Even if you are overworked and overburdened, taking the time for the things that bring you joy will ultimately be rewarding.
Final Thoughts
Life does not slow down. There will never be perfect moments when everything aligns to finally have time for the things you desire. When feelings of burnout come up, it may be a sign to self-reflect and see the areas you need to spend less time on, and what areas you need to spend more time on. Less time on social media and overall screen time, and more time for the things that truly lift you up and bring you joy.
Making time for self-reflection and introspection will also help you to be attuned to your inner compass. To see if your life is aligning with the path you desire, and if not what changes need to be made. Finding time and methods to slow down will bring the serenity and peace you desire.
Life is a precious thing and time will continue on, no matter how you choose to spend it. Spend it wisely. Follow the things that bring you joy. Prioritize your time for them. Prioritize your time for you.
“You can, you should, and if you’re brave enough to start, you will”
— Stephen King
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