Life in Beijing can be amazing, but experiencing burnout on this intense journey is unavoidable. You find yourself working tirelessly without the necessary breaks, and eventually, burnout rears its head, causing everything around you to feel like it's falling apart. Here are some tips to remember when that happens. Here’s how to recover!
1. Get Out and Explore
One effective way to combat a typical Beijing burnout is to switch up your surroundings. A change of scenery can mean many things, but fundamentally, it involves shifting your focus and gaining a new perspective. A leisurely stroll in a park, a wander through a nearby garden, or a jog along the road close to your home could help. If you want to tackle that burnout head-on, a trip outside the city can provide significant relief. Short on time? No problem! Join a day trip with one of the many travel groups that love featuring foreigners in their posts. Be that cheerful traveler who embarks on a solo adventure and makes everyone envious with their stunning travel photos.
2. Experiment with New Cuisines
Indulge in some culinary adventures to combat that burnout! Beijing boasts a diverse array of cuisines, with different regions of China at every corner and various countries represented on every street. Go on a culinary quest and try something unique like a falafel wrap complemented by kimchi sauce. Sometimes, authenticity can take a backseat, and you have to seize life's opportunities. Sample a refreshing lime drink at a stereotypically decorated Mexican restaurant that may not be the most authentic. What do you have to lose?
3. Connect with Home
Home is often a timeless remedy for burnout. Anything that reminds you of home can be comforting. No matter your cooking skills, try making that soup your mom used to prepare. Bring out that candle from IKEA that evokes memories of your grandmother's garden. A little reminder of home, in any form, can help lift us out of our rut and disrupt the cycle of stress we often impose on ourselves.
4. Embrace Change
Burnout is just a temporary state – it doesn’t define your life or the upcoming year. Give yourself credit for all the hard work you've accomplished in recent months. Yes, burnout is a result of your dedication, but let’s tackle it! Acknowledge that times will change, and so must you. Get a new haircut – perhaps that buzz cut you never believed would suit you, a hair color that isn’t typical for you, or try a facial that promises youthful rejuvenation. Alter a few constants in your life and watch the signs of burnout gradually fade away.
5. Connect with Others
As social beings, we can’t overlook the uplifting effect of friends when facing burnout. Organize a gathering with friends – whether at your place, theirs, or a bar if that suits a busy weeknight. Connect! Absorb the positive energy, share what’s on your mind, and vent about that difficult boss, troublesome landlord, or demanding friend. Let your friends energize you, allowing you to confront life with renewed vigor!
6. Sweat it Out
Sweat out that burnout like it’s your mission. Hit the gym and let it go. Sometimes, the antidote to burnout is burning off some calories! Take a walk, go for a run, juggle some fruits, dance around your living room, or try some yoga on your bed... whatever it takes to get moving, and you’ll notice the difference. Even during extensive workdays, remember to take breaks, walk around, stretch your legs, and engage in exercises like that one person on a flight who can’t sit still for long without needing to stretch.
7. Enjoy a Dopamine Day
Dedicate a day to indulging in everything you love. A burnout truly deserves an infusion of dopamine. Take a day off, sleep in, order your favorite food, and spend the day immersed in joy for effective recovery. That much-needed rest provides clarity like nothing else. Re-emerge, redefine your path, and push forward! It’s just burnout, not a permanent condition! Remind yourself that you didn’t come this far to only come this far!
Here’s to overcoming burnout and maximizing this exciting phase of your life! You've got this! Cheers!
READ: Tour, Travel or Taking a Break? The Different Kinds of Holidays
Images: Uni You, Canva
Life in Beijing can be amazing, but experiencing burnout on this intensely focused journey is unavoidable.