Exhausted From Current Events? Try These 5 Self-Care Techniques to Cope

Self-care techniques are not reserved for when we have extra time or already feel great. Self-care is most potent when we are most in need of rest.

After two years of a global pandemic that’s caused so much loss and trauma for all of us, political tensions, a raging climate crisis, and civil unrest, it’s no wonder more of us are feeling drained, depleted and seriously burned out.

The best remedy? Self-care. And self-care isn’t selfish.

Self-care is the most important thing you can do, for yourself of course, but also to show up more powerfully for those around you, your loved ones, your passions, and the world. The only problem? The world is a seriously heavy place to exist in these days.
 

Burn Out From Current Events Is Real. Your Self-Care Matters

You’re not alone if your mental health is suffering and if your own self-care tactics just aren’t cutting it. These are not normal times we’re living in, but we can create new normal habits to take the best possible care of ourselves now and moving forward and avoid the burn out.

While self-care is never one size fits all, here are five self-care tips that can help heal whatever you’re feeling in these strange times. Whether that’s burnt out, sad, anxious, hopeless, angry or you know, all of the above! Take what you need and take your rest seriously.
 
 

5 Self-Care Techniques When You Feel Burned Out From Current Events:

These techniques offer the perfect form of self-care based on your current needs. Whether you’re feeling burned out, stressed out, lonely or disempowered, there is a self-care technique on this list that can help!
 

1. If You’re Feeling Burned Out

Have we as a culture ever experienced this level of collective, all consuming burnout?

After a constant barrage of heavy societal events, you’re not imagining it – it feels like the whole damn world is feeling physically and emotionally exhausted, listless and like a shell of our old selves.

Respect your own boundaries: You can’t power through burnout. If at all possible, give yourself ample time off, use mental health days, sleep longer and get away (this requires a level of privilege that’s not always possible) Limit your social media intake. To confirm, the doom-scrolling is not healthy Get outside and get physical. A double whammy for burn out

 
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2. If You’re Feeling Buzzy and Anxious

Shoulders up to your ears? In constant flight or fight mode? Feel like you’re always waiting for the other shoe to drop? You’re not the only one. Many of us have been in a sustained state of hyper vigilance which isn’t healthy or sustainable.

Ground yourself with yoga to get back into your body and out of your head, at least for a bit. Here’s one great option! Pick up a soothing affirmation or mantra to remind yourself you are safe and supported at all times Create soothing habits, or even a corner or area of your home that brings you comfort (think fuzzy blankets, candles, soothing music, a nightly tea habit, etc!)

 
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3. If You’re Feeling Angry or Sad

There’s a lot going on in the world worth being pissed out over – let’s call it what it is! If for whatever reason you’re feeling angry or sad or toggling between the two, that’s a valid response to the myriad of systemic injustices in the world.

Try getting your emotions out with a physical routine like kickboxing, MMA, or yoga Practice breathing methods like these four Pranayama types, Breathing is a simple and free, and powerful tool you can do whenever needed Journal it out. Journaling can help us to process through whatever we’re feeling and make sense of our feelings when the world makes no sense

4. If You’re Feeling Lonely and Isolated

It’s understandable that with everything going on, it can at times feel very isolating. When you feel lonely or isolated, your self-care technique is all about connecting. It’s important to take steps to connect with people even if you don’t feel like it at first.
 

Connect with a friend, and make it a regular thing, even if it’s a biweekly phone call or pen pal arrangement! Talk about it! You’re not the only one by a long shot and voicing how you’re feeling to a friend, social media acquaintance, or family member can remove the stigma and remind you we’re all in this same boat Broaden your social connections, maybe by joining an in person hiking club, a virtual book club, or finding new friends using tools like Bumble BFF (yes, it works)

5. If You’re Feeling Hopeless and Disempowered

When things get heavy, you may feel angry or sad or spurred into action. Or the opposite may also be true, and it may be all you can do to not hide under the covers or disappear into an endless Instagram scroll. Been there.

Remind yourself that change is possible by listening to a podcast or reading a book about social activists and progress Connect with groups who are working toward social justice or action. There are many you can get involved with virtually no matter your location Take one small action today, like donating to a cause, joining a group, signing a petition or two or signing up for an event in your hometown

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Take Care of Yourself By Taking Your Self-Care and Mental Health Seriously

It should go without saying, but if you find yourself struggling with anxiety, depression and/or mental health in general, please seek professional help from a therapist or other trusted professional.

And because we’re not fans of toxic positivity around here, if you’re struggling, that is totally valid!

These self-care techniques can go a long way in helping to refill your cup and address burn out and other emotions, but at the end of the day we can’t self-care our way out of everything!

Sometimes, things are just plain heavy, and we have to “feel it to heal it.” Which is technically a self-care technique in itself! If you’re in the trenches right now, our heart goes out to you and we hope these self-care tips help lighten the load or at least give you hope in brighter days ahead!

All included information is not intended to treat or diagnose. The views expressed are those of the author and should be attributed solely to the author. For medical questions, please consult your healthcare provider.