Burnout

Having gone untreated for depression and not handling personal issues in favor of pressing ahead with my grad studies, I have come the point of extreme burnout but i cannot afford to take a day off due to a major deadline in 2 weeks. Nothing seems to help. How do I get through the next 2 weeks at a reasonable effociency? What to do? Quick fix ideas?

[Hidden]

Make a Doc APPT for 2 weeks from now and somehow try to get through the studies. A "C" is okay, your employer will never know or care. They just want a positive personality and you Hired !!!

Chris

😎

[FriendlyDude]

I’m not sure about a quick fix, but if you’re trying to work under those circumstances, it could continue to be really hard on you. I have found that when I don’t feel so good, it takes me longer to complete my work. But when I feel good I can think, focus and concentrate more effectively. So maybe you should try to take breaks every now and then to take care of your needs. When you feel frustrated or confused, just take a quick minute break. Get some water, do some deep breathing, try to clear your mind and relax; whatever helps you feel better

I hope things get better! I wish you the best (:

[BlueSky125]

For your 2 weeks deadline I would list out everything that needs to be done and estimate hours for each. Divide the total time over the number of days remaining. This will give you an estimate of how much time you need to put in every day. Put off anything else you can , eat heathy , take breaks.

[Survivor4Ever]

No quick fixes in life. However, sounds like you are a very strong driven person. However, not dealing with the depression is very dangerous. Like a double edged sword. You may make or probably will meet your deadline. But ask yourself. “What now?” “ “How is this working for me?” If your battling with your mind and still getting that degree or whatever it is . What difference is it going to make if inside your dead, unhappy, can’t see or feel the good that there is in life. Such as simply being you , enjoying doing what you do or being happy around others versus wanting isolation from the world. as i think many people can probably agree here. I know a technique for anxiety you can use for anxiety. But it may just drive you more depression. Different exercises. I think venting out, talking to someone a therapy. Seeking help and being here is beneficial for you. Just hang in there remember your goals but suppressing won’t help. For me personally as I did anyway. I feel you can get everything in the world but if your depressed, you will remain in the pit, darknesses, the feeling of giving up and tired of trying, hopelessness. My thoughts

[Survivor4Ever]

A technique for anxiety... sometimes it works sometimes it doesn’t. We must test it.. If I’m having anxiety sometimes asking myself “How am I going to feel in 10 minutes from now or ? 1 year? 5 years? Etc,,, probably not anxious, right? I heard that from some podcasts. For a quick fix for me and maybe you that I would suggest listening to podcasts. All kinds that’s what I do anyways

[Hidden in reply to Survivor4Ever]

Any particular recommendations?

[Survivor4Ever in reply to Hidden]

There’s many .. The Brain Warriors Podcast . They mention something about everything. Let me get you more check this one first maybe Aug 30 episode

[Survivor4Ever in reply to Hidden]

Talks about how sleep , vitamins, immune system just different topics all kinds

[Survivor4Ever in reply to Hidden]

Cleaning up the mental mess with Caroline Leaf , ..... Tiny Leaps, big changes.... these podcasts help with like personal habits things and mental behavior but other stuff you don’t need also . Just a tip . Hope it helps

[Survivor4Ever in reply to Hidden]

That’s the other podcast Tiny leaps, big changes

[Survivor4Ever]

If any of this helps let me know. Check out hint leaps big leaps it’s great too. Just simple things we wouldn’t think of doing help

[Zhangliqun]

Why are you going untreated?

[dmt1121]

I understand my own experience with anxiety and depression and how I applied myself professionally and when I was in grad school. The only thing I can say is that I have found that addressing self-destructive behaviors is to find as much balance as possible. Also, taking a simple inventory of your life. What do you enjoy and how are you spending your time? Is it at all balanced between work and relaxing or recreating?

There are times when one must focus on studies or work but it often becomes tunnel-vision to the exclusion of all else. It is easy to lose sight of how our lives and our health is being impacted until we have exhausted all that we have.....that's burn out.

While you may not be able to take a day off, you may be able to do a guided meditation every morning and take a long walk or run every day. Have video chats with family and friends. Read a chapter of a good book. Being singularly focused on something does not make the results better when you reach the burn out phase. It makes it worse and it can have long lasting health consequences.

The ideas I mentioned above are only some of many. You may have may more that are more appealing to you. The goal is to give you short breaks and help relieve some of your mental fatigue that feeds depression. You have two week to go but they will be very long weeks. Pay attention to your diet, even if you have to order in BETTER food and get enough sleep. The time you lose to these endeavors can make your time working on your studies/thesis/dissertation more fruitful. Also, what good is your degree if you are ill and deeply depressed when you are done.

One last thought is whether you need to take a year off to recharge. Take a good look at what you are doing and if it is your dream you are pursuing or someone else's. You should end up with a career that doesn't just provide prestige and money but also a meaningful life and time with family and friends.

Good luck!

[Millennial in reply to dmt1121]

Thank you for this great advice! I wish there was "burnout rehab" where I could learn how to cope and overcome my neverending cycle of burnout... 4 years and counting but need my job for my healthcare benefits...

[dmt1121 in reply to Millennial]

Good luck!

[SuZQ154]

You are a hard worker! Being persevering and diligent probably come easily to you! This can be wonderful but it sounds like you are hard on yourself.

I am, too, so in you situation I would schedule a vacation, listen to music, pray for guidance, and make an appointment with a counselor. I would give myself permission to REST! To take a nap! I was reading a John Eldridge book recently and he recommended a "One minute pause." A time to reconnect with God and ask "What should I do next?" and listen. Easier said than done, yet it has been working for me!!

What do you believe would help you most??