Seven steps to overcome emotional exhaustion

?“The sun alone is enough to make you feel better!” – this is how people often feel about the arrival of spring. However, when it comes to emotional exhaustion, it is important to know what causes it. The most common causes of spring fatigue include the depletion of energy reserves during the winter months. There is not much sun at our latitudes in winter, we stay indoors more, move less, eat less healthy food and socialize less. This past winter brought financial challenges for many people, causing a deep emotional strain. Some people feel burnt out at work because their vacation is only planned for summer while there was a lot of work all winter, other people experience chronic health problems in the fall and winter, and so forth.?

Once you understand the cause of your fatigue, you can start looking for the right approach to deal with it. With the wrong approach, fatigue will only get worse. If this is due to overwork, it would be unwise to stress your body with intense exercise, an active socializing program or a number of new hobbies. In this case, the emphasis should be on relaxation. On the other hand, fatigue is caused by self-isolation, not moving enough, and staying at home requires more active action.?

#RimiLatvia well-being expert and psychotherapist Laura Valaine recommends seven simple techniques to combat the emotional exhaustion of spring.??

?? Have a health check-up: take a blood test to determine, for instance, your iron and vitamin D levels. If there is a deficiency of any vital substances, you need to take the appropriate supplements. The majority of people in Latvia are unaware that their vitamin D levels are low, and the symptoms of vitamin D deficiency resemble those of burnout.?

?? Physical activity. The U.S. guidelines for the treatment of depression state that physical activity is one of the first choices. Engaging in moderate physical activity leads to positive changes in the brain, improving emotional well-being.?

?? Sleep. Sleep plays a vital role in human organism regeneration. Everyone needs to find their ideal sleep system, when to go to bed and when to get up, to feel their best. You should fall asleep by midnight and, while the duration of sleep is individual, an adult needs an average of seven to eight hours of sleep a night. It is important to go to bed and get up at the same time, even on weekends. And remember: sleep cannot be accumulated!?

?? Relaxation techniques. If you feel emotional tension or anxiety, experience chaotic thoughts or feel messed up, there are different relaxation techniques, such as meditation, mindfulness practices, and breathing techniques. They activate the parasympathetic nervous system, freeing the body of accumulated tension.??

?? Relationships that make you feel good. All people want to be in a relationship, however, it is not a relationship in itself that matters, but its quality. Spend time with people who make you feel good, people with whom you feel free and comfortable.?

?? Activities that bring you joy. One sign of mental health is the ability to experience joy. Start a hobby, find time for something that brings you joy, satisfaction, and passion, keeps you interested and allows you to be proud of yourself. Pleasant emotions also activate the parasympathetic nervous system, balancing the body’s physiological processes.?

??? Plan your week. Things do not magically happen by themselves, so take the time to understand what is draining you, and what makes you feel bad, and fill your week with one of the above activities – in moderation!?