I was telling you recently about the steps that can lead to burnout and the signs not to be missed on the way so that you do not get there.  But if you have collapsed into burnout already, what are the steps back up?

The first 6 months: the slow recovery

For the very first months, you cannot do anything apart from rest.  But even when resting, you are not feeling better.  The physical and mental exhaustion are such that nothing is possible. Even cooking for instance.  You need someone to help you with everyday tasks for the first few weeks at least.  The most common symptoms are anxiety, panic attacks, violent pain in the body (digestive system, back or other), the brain not functioning: you cannot read, memorise or think like before, you cannot even envisage the future.  Your sleep is also very disrupted, very often associated with nightmares.

If you truly rest and get the multi-therapy help you need, true recovery of body, mind and emotions will happen.  You will usually start feeling a bit better after 6 months.  It seems that our adrenals need that time to start functioning again a little bit.

6 to 12 months: planning the future

Step by step, your energy comes back, your brain feels like it is working again. But the recovery is not linear: you will have good days (at last!) and bad days.  You are progressing but with ups and downs.  On the good days, be careful not to rush into action or you may use up in one go the little bit of energy you have just had back.  And on bad days, know that this is all it is: a bad day, and rest.

At this stage, you need to keep taking care of yourself.  It is too early to go back to work.  You may notice though that your ability to envisage the future is back so this is the right time to start planning for the future.

After 12 months: rebuilding a new life

You may need years before all the symptoms disappear entirely, the panic attacks, the pain, the bad days… but usually, after about 12 months, you are able to go back to work.  Ideally part-time with enough flexibility to take proper breaks, adapt your hours and do less on bad days…

The truth is that it is not about going back to your life as it was before but about understanding what needs to change to keep being well.  Knowing your limits, your values and respecting them, knowing what motivates you and keeps you going and what you are refusing in your life now.  Some change company, some change profession but others come back to the same employment and work with it differently.  Whatever your choice, take time to listen to yourself deeply to rebuild a life that suits you, that respects who you are and how you feel.

And if you need help to rebuild or go back to work, if you are not sure where to start, make an appointment with me for a consultation, I will guide you every step of the way, wherever you are in your recovery.