Self-Care Tips For When End-Of-Year Fatigue Hits

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There are few things worse than burnout. The state of knowing your full potential but feeling emotionally and mentally stagnant. We, for one, have been there. And for many people, this year’s burnout has arrived a little too soon for our liking. Just last year, we wrote a definitive guide on the burnout phenomenon – what it is, what it looks like, and what to do about it cause these days, burnout is unsettlingly too common. It manifests in various ways, psychologically, emotionally, mentally, and socially, with the primary culprit being doing too much – overworking and overexerting yourself to depletion.

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And we get it…in this day and age, everyone is all about the hustle and grind, but even Beyoncé has her limits. A couple of tip-offs our bodies give off when burnout materializes…

Physically: An increase in fatigue and sleepiness that hinders your day-to-day productivity. And this continuing lethargy can often catalyze headaches, digestive issues, and frequent bouts of the flu or common cold due to a weakened immune system.

Emotionally: Your overall mood is also an indicator. From irritability, pessimism, anxiety, loss of motivation and pleasure, forgetfulness, concentration issues, feelings of self-doubt and hopelessness, brain fog, a decrease in professional performance, creativity, and cognitive fatigue, which can take shape in the form of deteriorated decision-making, willpower, and time management.

Socially: Your physical and emotional state can trickle into your social interactions as well. You may begin to withdraw from friends and family and find yourself butting heads with people far too regularly.

How to Manage End Of Year Fatigue 

First of all, go easy on yourself. The most frustrating thing about this kind of fatigue is there aren’t any warning signs or a “grace period” that allows you to take note of lifestyle red flags early on. However, once you’ve made the necessary lifestyle changes, there are a few self-care tips you can incorporate in your day-to-day to help sustain good vibes, especially as we approach the conclusion of chapter ’22.

The Power of Gold Old Vitamin D

Fight the urge to press snooze or dwell in the darkness for 30 minutes or more post-alarm. These are two habits many of us do that unconsciously feed into and exacerbate our feelings of anxiety. As soon as you wake up, open your blinds and curtains immediately. That instant hit of vitamin D from the sun will do wonders for your mood and serotonin levels.

Aromatherapy

Close your eyes for a second, and think of the smells that make you feel calm.

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Is it lavender, rosemary, sandalwood, or lemongrass? Or maybe it’s the smell of fresh cotton, sea breeze, or crisp bed sheets? Whatever it is, jot it down and make it an intention to fill up your space with these aromas. It can be in the form of candles, essential oils, or room sprays – either way, scents have some next-level healing powers that can aid in stress relief and better sleep.

Slow Beauty Routines

Factor in beauty rituals as a form of downtime – a consistent period or slot in your day-to-day where you unwind and take it easy. This ties back to ‘slow beauty,’ a practice heavily rooted in Ayurveda. Slow beauty is all about slowing one down with beauty products or rituals that require mindfulness. It highlights the need for self-care practices that alleviate daily stresses and anxieties. And this includes soothing and healing beauty routines that provide an element of escapism from the crazy outside world.

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Slow beauty routines differ from person to person. Think of it as a form of “me time” – be it a sheet mask, hair mask, or carrying out a detailed skincare routine every evening, do whatever sparks a sense of relaxation. You’ll be surprised at just how much regularly scheduled self-care sessions can do for your well-being.

Don’t be Afraid to Say No!

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And this can apply socially and professionally. This is the one time in the year when you must think of yourself before others. Saying no is not the end of the world – whether it’s to a friend, family member, co-worker, or client. If you cannot take on a request, simply say, “I don’t have the capacity.” Trust us, they’ll survive.

Practice Gratitude

Amid stress and fatigue, we often drown our thoughts in negativity, uncertainty, and moments of ‘what went wrong?’ What practicing gratitude does is help shift this mindset by honing in on the things you’re grateful for and the things you were able to manifest. The simple task of regularly expressing gratitude can boost your mental state and change how you interact with others and the world around you. Some like to keep a gratitude journal, but if that’s too big of a commitment (which is totally okay btw!), make it a morning habit to think of three things you’re grateful for before you leave your abode to tackle the day ahead.

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What self-care tips have worked wonders for you? We’d love to hear about them in the comments below.