6 Tips For Overcoming Chronic Illness Burnout
Chronic illness burnout happens, and it’s easy to understand why.
Doctor appointments, pain, exhaustion, endless phone calls to your health insurance company, and emotional distress can all pile up, leaving you feeling overwhelmed and burnt out.
Burnout can sneak up on you when you're already dealing with so much. A chronic illness diagnosis adds layers of stress and a never-ending to-do list comprised of medical care, wellness routines, rest, and insurance issues—all on top of your regular responsibilities.
It's enough to make anyone feel like they're treading water in a choppy sea, barely holding onto the life raft.
Does this mean you should just let yourself sink?
Absolutely not!
Even when burnout makes you want to hide under the covers forever, it's crucial to take a step back, acknowledge your feelings, and maybe take a short break.
However, there comes a point when you need to pull yourself back up, climb onto that life raft, and head for dry land.
But, how do you do that?
In this blog post, we’ll explore practical tips and strategies to help you overcome burnout while living with a chronic illness. Let's discuss!
6 Tips For Overcoming Chronic Illness Burnout
ONE: Feel The Feelings
Sometimes, you need to take a moment to truly feel the frustration and exhaustion that accompany chronic illness. It's perfectly okay to cry it out or take a much-needed nap. Seeking mental health support can also be incredibly beneficial. Chronic illness journeys are often tough, and feeling overwhelmed is completely normal. Remember, your feelings are valid, and acknowledging them is an important step towards healing and managing your health. You deserve to honor your emotions.
TWO: Make a list
Once you've let out some of that pent-up energy, it's time to gently ease your way back to equilibrium. A helpful next step is to make a list of everything that's bothering you, or needs to be taken care of. Sometimes, seeing it all written down can feel overwhelming; other times, it might seem more manageable than you thought. Regardless of how it looks, having everything in one place provides valuable perspective. Plus, transferring these thoughts from your mind to paper (or a spreadsheet) can bring a sense of relief and clarity.
THREE: Prioritize
Now that you have your list, the next step is to prioritize it. Look at each item and ask yourself: What is most important? What is most time-sensitive? Burnout often stems from trying to manage too much at once, so prioritizing helps you focus your energy where it’s needed most. By clearly identifying your priorities, you can determine where to turn your attention when you have the bandwidth (or spoons). This focused approach can make your to-do list feel more manageable and help you navigate your tasks with greater ease.
FOur: Simplify
As you review your list, consider what tasks you can let go of. Sometimes, when I do this exercise myself, I realize that some items on my to-do list aren't essential, especially when I'm not feeling my best. By paring things down to what truly matters, you gain clarity and see that some tasks just don't need your attention right now. Letting go of unnecessary tasks allows you to focus on what’s most important and gives you the mental space to manage your life and health more effectively.
FIVE: Delegate
For those tasks that absolutely need to be done but you just don’t have the energy for, consider delegating. Can a family member, friend, or colleague help? Is it possible to hire someone? There are many ways to delegate tasks, and not all of them cost money. Remember, you don’t have to do everything on your own—especially when you’re not feeling well. Delegating can lighten your load and enable you to focus on what truly matters for your health and well-being.
Six: Have self-Compassion
If living with chronic illness were easy, everyone would choose it. But it's not—it's incredibly tough. There are days when you feel like you might break. Yet, if you're reading this, that means you're still here. You may not feel inspired, motivated, or even close to 100%. But you're still here.
Your journey might not look graceful, but doing what you need to get through each day is an act of courage, determination, and self-preservation. Give yourself the kindness and love you deserve for all that you and your body have endured to reach today. It's been a hard road, and acknowledging that is important.
Be mindful of how much you can realistically accomplish based on how you’re feeling. Some days will be better than others, and that's okay. Being honest with yourself about what you can do helps manage both your tasks and your expectations. This balance is key to getting things done while maintaining your well-being.
For related reading, check out these other blog posts:
* Tips For When The Chronic Illness Journey Gets Rough HERE
* How To Find Your Chronic Wellness Balance HERE
* The Three Stages Of Finding Your Chronically Well Balance HERE
* Self-Advocacy In Daily Life With Chronic Illness HERE
Let’s get you to THRIVING!
Find out more about working with me through my THRIVE coaching package! Book a complimentary call today.
Getting yourself into the life raft and back to shore may be a long process. But with clarity, direction, and a plan, you CAN do it.
You might need help, and you might need to take breaks, but overcoming burnout and getting back on course is possible. Just remember, you don’t have to do it all at once.
If you could use support in setting your course and getting back to shore, consider working with me through my THRIVE coaching program. You can find out more HERE.
For a free option, join my Chronic Wellness Challenge. This 7-day program can help you gain clarity and find your unique path to thriving with chronic illness.
I wish you all the best in beating burnout and finding your way to thrive with chronic illness. By tuning into what you need and want most, and taking it step-by-step, you can do it.
What part of your to-do list is causing you the most stress right now?
What can you do to prioritize getting it done, Eliminate it or Delegate it? What would that make possible for you?
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