When regular business and school schedules went out the door, so did our regular sleep/work/rest schedule. Between sharing workspace with your family and taking on the roles of teacher, chef and housekeeper and hiding in the closet for conference calls, you have been busting your butt and it's time to take a beat. Time to take a breath and find yourself again.

This insane schedule is not only bad for your health, but it's going to make you less effective at everything you do. This may not be news to you but, you need sleep! When you don’t get enough sleep, your body begins to shut down systems to preserve energy. Right now you're likely starting to experience burnout, emotional burnout, occupational burnout, or both. A skill we really need right now is one that teaches us how to deal with burnout. When you're exausted, two critical systems, are shut down early on. The first is your brain’s ability to problem solve. The second is your body’s ability to burn fat. It is conserving fat because fat makes great energy and because it takes energy to burn it. Instead your body burns protein or simply stores everything you consume. Either scenario is not ideal. 

The brain fog is an obvious problem, especially since your fatigue is resulting from your trying to work so hard and be so productive! You're literally going backward by trying to go forward. It's crazy!

This upcoming weekend is traditionally the kickoff to summer. It's traditionally a long weekend or first trip of the summer. It's a great time to recover from burnout. Regardless of your plans, you need to find some time for you. Even if you intend to be surrounded by friends or family, it’s critical that you find some time for yourself. You’ll be amazed at how refreshed and good you feel from a short amount of time away from everything.

Go write yourself a note. Give yourself permission to take some time to fill your own cup. You've been running on fumes and you're no good to anyone if you're burned out and grumpy. Take a half of a day, take a night off, disappear from the world just for long enough to recharge your batteries.

This summer is just beginning. The world can wait. 

Who knows maybe they'll realize they can survive without you for a bit? Wouldn’t that be awesome?!