Exhaustion

Published on May 21, 2020

Erin was a corporate lawyer who worked ten-hour days, five days a week.  On the weekend she would try to make time for herself but instead found herself worrying about work, answering emails and going over paperwork.  By the time Sunday came, she couldn’t get out of bed; she could barely move.

Due to the Covid-19 virus, Chris found himself out of his routine.  He had to work from home, and he couldn’t go to the gym.  He began snapping at his children and wife more.  He felt guilty that he was so tired all the time, and he couldn’t accomplish as much.  He began to compare himself to others who had used the stay at home period to achieve goals.  He felt unmotivated and hopeless.  He played video games from morning until night, which took his energy even lower.

Exhaustion happens for different reasons.  Sometimes, we have had too much adrenaline and the stress hormone cortisol for too long.  Other times, it can be related to pushing ourselves too hard.  When people are depressed or anxious, they can also feel a lack of energy.  The overstimulation of noise, screens and chaos can drain us quickly.  Once we are in the exhaustion phase, it can take longer to recover.  The ideal scenario would be to listen to your body before your nervous system crashes.

Here are some things to consider:

1.  Relaxation

It’s ok to relax daily: Set some reasonable daily goals, and then relax at the end of the day. When stress is too high, our cortisol levels rise, which is unhealthy both physically and mentally.  What relaxes your mind? What is something that you can look forward to at the end of the day?

2. Competing

Compete with yourself and not others: Comparing yourself to others is not a fair comparison because you don’t know the entire story of the other person. What have you accomplished compared to last year?  What are your wins?

3. Patience

Be patient with yourself: If you have reached the exhaustion phase, don’t power through it. Pushing through exhaustion will lead to deeper fatigue that might weaken your immune system.  If you have been feeling depressed for days, try to get some physical exercise.  If you are too depressed to move, reach out for help.

4. Work

Working hours: Some professions have longer working hours than others. How can you reduce the long working hours?  Are you staying late to compete with your co-workers, or is it mandatory?  Try to find balance before you reach the crash phase.

5. Good Enough

Recognise when it is good enough: Perfect doesn’t always exist. Some people believe that if it isn’t perfect, it is a failure. Recognise when something is good enough.

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If you would like to set up an appointment please contact me on +852 2521 4668 or email m.borschel@mindnlife.com. I can offer both an online session via Skype or a face to face session.

Photo by Polina Zimmerman from Pexels


Category(s):Abuse / Abuse Survivor Issues, Anger Management, Anxiety, Depression, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) / Trauma / Complex PTSD, Relationships & Marriage, Stress Management

Written by:

Dr Monica Borschel

Welcome! My passion is to help you find inner peace and emotional comfort within yourself and your relationships.

As social creatures, our relationships significantly shape our happiness, well-being, and sense of self-worth. Unfortunately, many of us have experienced relationship-related traumas, which can leave us with emotional scars that require recovery.

Attachment traumas, such as divorce, break-ups, infidelity, neglect, and abuse, can be challenging. As an expert in attachment, loss, and trauma, I have spent many years studying how attachment styles can shift with loss and trauma.

I have seen how healthy relationships can lead to secure attachment and how insecure attachment can create turmoil in our lives. I aim to guide you toward cultivating healthy relationships with yourself, your children, your co-parent, and your romantic partner.

I can help you develop new attachment strategies that will allow you to form deeper connections and bonds with those around you. And, if you have children, I can also assist you in establishing secure attachments with both parents, which can be especially helpful in cases of separation or divorce.

I am originally from Salt Lake City, Utah, where I completed my Bachelor of Science in Psychology at The University of Utah. From there, I moved to New York City, earning my Master’s in Clinical Psychology from Columbia University. I then pursued my Doctorate in Social Work and Social Administration at the University of Hong Kong. I lived and worked in Hong Kong as a practicing Clinical Psychologist from 2010-2020. I reside in California and am pursuing my Doctorate in Psychology (PsyD) at California Southern University. My training and qualifications include certifications in Brainspotting and High Conflict Coaching.

These tools, combined with my extensive knowledge and experience in the field, enable me to offer you the guidance and support you need to recover from past traumas and build healthy relationships.

My approach to therapy is empathetic, supportive, and tailored to your unique needs. Every person can grow, and thrive. I am committed to helping you achieve your goals. So, whether you are struggling with relationship issues, divorce, abuse, attachment traumas, or other challenges, I am here to help you find the peace and comfort you deserve.

Email me at info@doctormonicaborschel.com or call the MindnLife Clinic at 852 2521 4668