Three steps for overcoming burnout and getting your energy back

Many of us have come across (and perhaps had to support) a friend, family member or work colleague who has suffered from burnout.  We can recognise burnout because it coincides with a feeling of powerlessness, helplessness, and an inability to handle day to day activities.  Burnout manifests in different ways for every individual – however it typically coincides with a strong sense of low self-worth, desperation and/or resentment.

If we are looking to help a loved one the choices can be confusing.  Often people will seek help from doctors, psychologists, counsellors and perhaps even life coaches. Whatever profession is chosen, the road to recovery can often seem long and emotionally challenging. However, there is light at the end of the tunnel!

La Crisalida Retreats has worked with hundreds of guests who are or have suffered from burnout.  Our specially crafted programme focusses on the following three key steps:

 

Step 1:  Re-connect

One of the key reasons why people reach burnout is that they have lost connection with their inner voice and power. Typically, in the run-up to burnout, we can suffer emotionally with feelings of fear, guilt and confusion and general lack of interest in life. We can lose track of what is important to us and find ourselves trapped between a rock and a hard place (which is often associated by giving our power away to others).

The first step we encourage at the retreat is to re-connect with yourself. The retreat environment and our programme of activities (including meditation and yoga classes) is designed to help quieten the mind. In our life makeover workshops, we aim to re-connect you with your purpose and what makes your heart “sing”.

At the retreat, we encourage and guide you to pick and choose what activities you want to take part in. You can take time to yourself and/or join the group conversation at mealtimes – your choice.

 

Step 2:  Re-balance

Emotions are like magnets, and they reflect polarised states of mind. For example, when something happens that is more pleasurable than painful, we get attracted to it (positive pole e.g. praise). When something is more painful than pleasurable, we feel repulsion from it (negative pole e.g. criticism).

Some call this part of us the animal or “imminent” mind which is associated with the more primitive parts of the brain.

The key to re-balancing the mind is to become aware of the difference between seeking pleasure and following your heart. Heart-based inspiration involves transcending the primitive parts of the brain. When we do something we love, we are no longer motivated simply by pain and pleasure. We become more purpose-driven, more certain and clearer about what we want because we are not so distracted by outside influences.  We can choose our own path, rather than letting others choose it for us.

When we put others before ourselves, we can become a “people-pleaser” and lose track of who we are and what we want from life. Retreat time is you time.  There is no-one to please other than yourself.

In our life-makeover workshops at the retreat, we encourage you to find balance and connect with your heart with titles like “finding the authentic you” and “design your own inspired path”.

In our experience, re-balancing the mind also becomes easier once the body has re-balanced. An unbalanced body is usually one associated with excess or inadequacy (hormones, toxins, food etc). At the retreat, our aim is also to re-balance your body through natural, fresh ingredients minimising stress on your digestive system.

 

Step 3:  Re-energise

Re-energising is the last step to regaining your power and it naturally follows from step 1 and 2. When we are overly challenged or feel in conflict, our energy levels get depleted.  Energy levels are linked with finding our inner sense of power and fulfilment as much as having an efficient functioning body and digestive system. Low energy levels can reflect adrenal fatigue as well as nutritional deficiency.

When we are energised our eyes shine and we can stand in our own space and be present. We feel inspired to do things that interest us.

Walks in nature, sunshine and aerobic physical activity help us to re-energise. At the retreat, we have access to some of the most picturesque walks on the Costa Blanca and we usually have one or two daily exercise-based classes (e.g. dance or rebounding) to help to move the body and activate the lymphatic system.

The food at the retreat is specially designed to help your body to re-energise. We minimise the toxins and other stimulating and processed compounds (e.g. sugars and salts) and maximise the amount of natural, fresh plant-based ingredients.

If you know anyone in need of re-connecting, re-balancing or re-energising do let them know that there is always a way to get their power back. Find out more about our Life makeover retreats here

At our retreat centre in Spain, you can come and go on any day you choose, and we do have multi-share accommodation options for those on a budget. For some people, the hardest bit is getting here, so we arrange your transfer from Alicante airport.  Once you have arrived you can let the relaxation and rejuvenation begin!