One of the most commonly known aspects of ADHD is the intensity in which we feel things. Whether the emotion is happiness or sadness, it often arrives stronger and stays longer than it might for others. Burnout is no exception.
I have covered burnout in the past, but I thought it might be something worth revisiting, especially with how hard it is to overcome. Often, the very thing that has burnt me out is also the thing I need to keep doing, whether that is studying for university, which involves keeping up with weekly readings and homework, or other important tasks which need completed.
To be honest, as I write this blog, I am burnt out. I think that is another reason for me wanting to revisit the topic.
In life, I like pushing myself to the limit. I enjoy seeing how much I can achieve in a single day and testing how far I can go. But eventually, rest becomes necessary. The problem is that when you are used to constantly working at full speed, slowing down can feel impossible. When burnout hits, relaxation doesn’t come to me naturally.
For many people with ADHD, burnout often leads to seeking quick dopamine from what could be unhealthy sources. This could include excessive scrolling on social media, overeating, overspending, and more. But the truth is that healthy dopamine is what actually helps you move forwards and escape burnout.
That might be spending time with friends, going to the gym, getting outside, or simply changing your environment. Having plans away from home, seeing new places, and interacting with new people can reset your mind far more effectively than doom scrolling.
In many ways, the brain is like a muscle. Burnout happens when it has been pushed beyond its limit for too long. And just like after an intense workout, recovery is part of the process. When you rest properly, you do not come back weaker, but instead you come back stronger.
So the next time burnout arrives, try not see it as the end of the world, but simply another step forward in the story that is your life.
