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Keeping it Together | WISDOM AND TIPS FOR MENTAL HEALTH AND WHATEVER LIFE THROWS AT US | Saturday, September 25 | | |
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| It's officially fall! |
| That means I'm already thinking about the upcoming holidays like Halloween and Thanksgiving as well as thinking of everything I need to get done before the year is over. |
| From doctor's appointments to work deadlines, there's always something to do. |
| The end-of-year pile-up can be overwhelming, so I'm trying to stay organized through lists and plenty of planning. But at the end of the day, it's also important to remember to schedule in some time to rest. |
| I'm grateful that this week I was able to take a couple days off for some self-care. But I already feel the pressure to plan a back-to-back weekend of errands to cross off some of my to-dos. I'm trying to push back against this tendency for nonstop productivity. |
| Instead of viewing rest as an annoying necessity that's getting in the way of productivity, I'm trying to re-frame it in my head as a way to put myself at the top of my game for when it is time to get something done. |
| That way I don't feel like I'm falling behind when I choose to rest, but instead, I'm energizing myself so I'll be ready to take on the rest of the year. |
Hate going to work? It might be burnout. |
| Everyone experiences tough days at work, but chronic stress can lead to burnout. Stress is a normal human response to a particular event that causes mental tension or worry. Burnout on the other hand is a consequence of extended high stress. |
| Burnout may feel like every task is a sacrifice that is driven by obligation rather than value. You may feel like you're struggling to find meaning and motivation. It is common to isolate yourself from the people around you as well as feel overwhelmed, moody or impatient. |
| If you're encountering burnout, Sara Kuburic, the Millennial Therapist, pulled together a list of things that may help: |
| • | Take care of your physical health. Our mind and body are connected. Many of us carry stress in our bodies, often in our shoulders, jaws and guts. Take time to rest, sleep, move, eat, hydrate or stretch. It can really help our bodies to manage stress. | | • | Practice acceptance. So much of our energy is spent worrying about things beyond our control. Accepting these things as they are can help us make mental space. | | • | Make a change. It might be time to reconsider our jobs if our mental health is suffering. Not everyone has the privilege of changing jobs, but if we do, it may be worth exploring, even if it comes with some disadvantages. | |
| To read the full list of tips on how to combat burnout, click here. |
 | | Woman in white shirt using laptop in office | | Getty Images | |
Today's reads |
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 | | Iced Vietnamese coffee | | iStock / trangiuj | |
Today's pet |
| Meet Tank Girl. |
 | | Look at those gorgeous eyes! | | Courtesy of Liz Shannon Miller | |
| "I just wanted to share this photo of my pal Tank Girl, who I adopted a few weeks into lockdown and has been the best companion ever since, even if she likes to express her undying affection by trying to claw my eyes open in the mornings so that I'll wake up and play with her," writes owner Liz Shannon Miller. "I like to think of this as her author photo, for when she inevitably becomes a New York Times-bestselling novelist." |
| Thanks for being a long-time newsletter reader, Liz! We can't wait to read Tank Girl's first novel! |
| And thanks to everyone for reading. Remember you can send pet photos, coping tips and anything else to our email. |
| Wishing you all the best, |
| Sara Moniuszko |
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