Self-help Articles

by Richard B. Patterson, Ph.D.

Burn-out is basically a state of being out of balance, usually because we have allowed our energies to become drained by people, places, and things. Recovery from burn-out requires a holistic program of nurturance as well as the development of a plan for future prevention.

At the level of body, start by getting a good physical to make sure that you have not developed some sort of chronic health problem and to insure that the lack of energy is not strictly medical. Establish an exercise habit.

Develop a plan of healthy physical self-nurturance. (Healthy does not include the use of alcohol, drugs, food, etc.) Such self-nurturance could include anything from frequent massages to hot soaks to more regular love-making.

At the level of mind, assess the level of negativity in statements you typically are thinking about yourself and make a more regular effort to dispute those statements. Start keeping a journal so that you might be able to track your recovery.

At the level of emotional, reestablish regular experiencing of that which gives you joy. At the level of spirit, try to reestablish a connection with your creative energies, usually dried up by burnout. Write some poetry. Sketch. Find a child to play with.

Julia Cameron's book The Artist's Way might prove helpful. As you are feeling more energized, then develop IN WRITING a plan for burn-out prevention. Don't view yourself as invincible. Burn-outs are painful, even frightening events. Take them seriously.

About the Author:

Richard B. Patterson, Ph.D. is a clinical psychologist in private practice in El Paso, TX. He is the author of three books on psychology and spirituality.