How to Recover from Burnout In Your 20s

This post is dedicated to helping you learn easy methods on how to recover from burnout in your 20s, and truly, at any age.

Work burnout is so real. If you are in your 20s and already experiencing burnout, you are not alone. Whether you’ve been pushing the limits at work and are starting to feel the effects or in the midst of burnout, I feel you, and I am here for you.❤️

First things first, your mental health is truly one of the very most important parts of you. Let me reiterate. No job is worth the trade of your mental health and wellbeing.

This year I experienced burnout for the first time ever, and these tried and true methods brought my spirit and personality back. Here is how you can recover from burnout in your 20s. Let’s get to it.

Talk to BFFs + Seek Comfort in Family

There is nothing like having the love and support from your family and BFFs when you are struggling. Sharing your hardships and frustration can help take the tension out of your chest/mind. It will also keep you more accountable for making changes to improve your situation. Your loved ones don’t want to see you in this awful cycle.

Their encouragement can hopefully help give you a) a smile in your heart b) a reminder that you need to unplug c) the extra push to make a change.

Let Those Tears Flow

When the tears come, release them. Often times we can hold on so tightly to our stress, anxiety, and responsibilities that crying it out will truly feel like a weight is lifted off our shoulders. When you’re in the depths of burnout, I know it can feel like you’re crying numerous times a day without relief, but instead bringing more exhaustion. Get some rest when you’re in this stage. <3 And remember, this is temporary.

Fresh Air (seriously, get out of your house)

Even if it is only one day out of your work week that you find time to leave your place when it’s still daylight, go do that. It doesn’t need to be vigorous exercise by any means. Just what you’re feeling up for. If it’s slowly wandering around the neighborhood or taking a stroll to your fav bakery. (Please pick up a yummy croissant or something if you do 😋)

If you have the energy over the weekend, take a mini road trip to change up your scenery. Switching it up will do you a world of good. My bestie and I visited Sedona and had such a good time unplugging and listening to the sounds of nature.

Your body, brain, and soul will benefit from the fresh air on your skin and in your lungs. Plus, you need that downtime away from the screens.

Workout Bursts

It is so important to keep your body active throughout the day where you can. I know it can be impossible to step away from your desk, but when you do, try this: do 15 jumping jacks. I’m so serious and surprised how this helped me over time.

After being stagnant in your chair for such a long chunk of time, your body and brain will reap the benefits of your blood pumping. I’ve made it a habit that when I go to warm up my coffee or use the ladies, I’ll do 15-30 jumping jacks. Yes, it sounds silly, but it works. After doing this for a few days in a row, I noticed an improvement in my mood. Oh, and it genuinely will help keep you awake when you’re exhausted.

Indulge When You Feel The Need To

If you feel like binging your fav Netflix show (Okay hi, this is me too, haha. I’ve been binge-watching Riverdale – it’s my first time seeing the show and I’m nearly done with season three…TBH Cole Sprouse is the reason why. Do you have a fav show to put on?) or spending hours playing video games, go ahead and let yourself indulge in that.

Sometimes it can seem like a waste of your time in the precious moments you aren’t working, but it really isn’t. When your body is craving these comforts or “wants”, allow yourself to relax into them. I’ve found that letting myself have these marathons helps to distract from the stressors and lets my brain dive into a whole other realm of thoughts.

Remember, learning how to recover from burnout in your 20s doesn’t equal being productive.

Zzzz…

Your downtime is precious after logging countless hours at work. It can be difficult to choose to go to sleep early when all you want is to enjoy and soak in every moment of your personal time (even if it’s at one a.m. and you have to be up again at six 🙃)

If you can get an extra couple of hours (or even a long nap on the weekends), it will help you in the long run. Keeping up those productivity levels, coupled with a lightning-fast turnaround time without making mistakes takes brainpower, so you’ve got to let yourself rejuvenate.

Get In Yo’ Zone

Refresh with a warm shower, blast your favorite song, create art, dive into a book, bake delicious sweets (like this super moist chocolate chip banana bread). Whatever it is, fuel yourself with it. 

Doing something that makes you feel alive and “yourself” again when you’re in a rut is massively beneficial. It will help bring that sweet sunshine of your soul back into the picture.

Practice Inner Appreciation

For every one of you nose to the ground, work 12-15 hour days for months on end, I admire your work ethic and stamina. I’ve been there, and you should be proud of how determined you are to succeed. But please know, you are worth way more than what you give to your job. Make sure to find a moment every day to thank yourself and know you are capable of greatness.

If you are in any phase of work exhaustion, I hope one of these tips on how to recover from burnout in your 20s helps you. Comment which one you gravitate towards (or a newbie) that has helped you along the way.

Take a deep breath. Release it. Remember your purpose. Pat yourself on the back. Give yourself a true smile. Be proud of the person who you are. Live your life (not just for your career). Set work/life boundaries. You’ve got this. Here’s to healing. ✨