What not to do on low energy days
We’ve all been there.
The alarm goes off and you realize you just didn't get the quality sleep you needed last night. You wake up feeling groggy, tired and off. Your energy is low and honestly, no amount of caffeine will substitute being able to crawl back into your bed and restart your morning.
Hey, low energy days happen to all of us.
But instead of normalizing that we don't wake up refreshed every morning, we are often taught to just push through the tiredness. The expectations to do it all and be it all are unchanged, even though you lack the capacity, effort and ability to fully engage in your work.
Instead of accepting the pressure to do it all when you aren't feeling your best, try avoiding these burnout-fueling habits:
Avoid over-achieving today.
Yup, today just isn't the day to go above and beyond. Give yourself permission to (and secure your boundaries around) only doing what is absolutely necessary. Consider organizing your to-do list by urgency and importance to see what can be planned to do later, what can be delegated and what can be paused.
Avoid setting unrealistic expectations for yourself.
Similar to only doing what's necessary, try your best to relax some of your expectations for yourself today. You may not do everything perfectly today, and that's not because you aren't incredible. You are incredible and you're human. Today is a great opportunity to tap into your patience and self-compassion.
Avoid doing absolutely everything completely alone.
Seriously, untie your superhero cape. If and when you can, see what you can plan to do later, delegate to someone (or something else), and/or receive some help with. If you can, communicate with those you work with that you could use some extra support today. Take a look at your to-do list and ask yourself:
What is one task I can receive some help with?
What is one task that I can have some one start for me?
Which task could I ask for assistance with?
Remember, low energy days happen. It's okay to adjust and recognize your tiredness. Amazingly so, this is how you can unlearn what fuels burnout -- one step at a time.
To learn more about how to take care of yourself on low energy days, check out my guided burnout recovery journal The Self Care Investment! This journal offers you a chance to learn about 8 different types of self-care to add to your recovery journey and maximize your ability to live a well-rested life.
