Recovering from burnout

donnbradman

Has any experience of recovering from burnout. I'm talking from a sports perspective. I've suffered depression since the start of the year and I've just no interest in my hobbies anymore.

Esoteric_

Have you sought treatment for depression? That's generally the first and best step you should take.

Kevo

Go see your doctor. They can advise on the best course of action.

I had a complete lack of interest in my usual hobbies after a long depression a few years ago. Afterward I just became completely numb to any kind of enjoyment but I wasn't miserable either. I was stuck somewhere in the middle. I tried very hard to break out of it but I wasn't able, nothing seemed to work. Then I went to my doc and was prescribed medication and counselling. Now I'm mostly back on my feet and able to enjoy myself again though I of course still have the odd bad day.

Mayboy

Hi There,

I'm starting this by saying I'm not a medical professional nor do I know what your 'burnout; is like. I can speak only from my experience of burnout and the subsequent difficulty I had in coming to terms with it. Yes, for a long time I did nothing - did not want to do anything and was as the other poster says' somewhere in the middle'.

In retrospect everything that happened to me (even the difficult stuff) was a big part of my recovery - a bit like a jigsaw - it took a while to see all the pieces. I believe that our bodies need the 'rest' and 'nothingness' to recover and we should give ourselves this time to recover and rehabilitate - really, I found the whole experience difficult but very rewarding. I found I held on to 'how things were before' and this stopped me progressing to a newer place - not necessarily 'better' but different. We are constantly focussed on achieving and doing stuff - the biggest gift is getting to know yourself again.

I found meditation fantastic in my recovery - just sitting with how I was - in a non judgemental way. I wish you the best of luck - hopefully it will open up a whole new life for you.:)

Mayboy

I also forgot to say that I found a great psychotherapist who really gave me great pointers as I progressed. Good luck!

pharmaton

echo the sentiments already expressed, if it's physical burnout maybe just check in with doc anyway to make sure everything is in order. You mention depression as a possible factor so you know what to do. I spent a large amount of my younger years working with people with physical and mental needs and 15 years on I still couldn't physically or psychologically deal with doing it ever again. We all have limits op.