If you are feeling exhausted, overwhelmed and unable to meet the day-to-day demands of your life, you may be suffering from burnout.

What is “burnout”? Burnout is a state of complete emotional, mental and physical exhaustion. It happens when someone is repeatedly exposed to high stress over a long period of time. Burnout can happen to anyone, inside of or outside of the workplace, and affects many Canadians – up to 78%! However, First Nations, Inuit and Metis people may experience burnout differently due to the complex and lasting effects of colonization, generational trauma and the needs their communities might have of them.

Some of the symptoms of burnout can seem like you are just tired or overwhelmed, however if you feel like this all the time or have other symptoms like frequent illnesses, lack of motivation and anger, it may be more serious. Some other warning signs might be:

• Feelings of alienation, from work and other activities, viewing them as stressors and emotionally distancing yourself from the activities.
• Headaches, Stomach aches and other digestive issues.
• Emotional exhaustion, feeling drained, irritated, unmotivated and unable cope with day-to-day stressors and tasks.
• Difficulty focusing and concentrating, lack of motivation and creativity.
• Increase of illnesses, you are more vulnerable to colds and other viruses.
• Lose of appetite, disinterested in food and the joy of eating.
• Feelings of anxiety, depression and sometimes anger.

If you are experiencing any number of these symptoms, you might be heading to burnout or are already there. But don’t worry, there are ways of managing it that can help you heal, regain your balance and recover.

Thankfully there are many strategies you can implement to help you find your path to recovery and heal from burnout. Finding the source of your stress, setting healthy boundaries and making important changes to your routine and life can be very important steps in your recovery. However, we also know that in traditional First Nations, Metis and Inuit practices a holistic approach works best for our communities. With that in mind, you would need to look at the spiritual, emotional, physical and social realms of your life and see if they are out of balance and how to bring them back into alignment to facilitate healing. Something to remember as you look at these realms of your life is that they are all interconnected. If one is out of balance, it will affect another also. The same is true if you begin healing one area, it will affect and improve another.

Sometimes when you are trying to meet all the demands of your job, your family and your community you can forget to connect with yourself. Take the time to listen to what your heart is telling you. Reconnect to your wants and needs. What it is that you are feeling? Acknowledge those feelings. Our emotions tell us when something is wrong, out of alignment or needing to change. It’s important that we listen to our feelings and honour them. Then, with your newfound insights you can take the necessary steps to fulfill those needs.

For example, are you needing more time alone to rest and recharge? Do you need to change the toxic job you are working? Maybe you need the help of a co-worker or friend to take some work off your plate and lessen the load. Once you have identified those needs you can take steps to meet them.

Teachings In the Air Podcast

Metro Vancouver Indigenous Counselling

Metis Counseling – 15 ways to reduce stress

First Nation’s Health Authority – Traditional Wellness and Healing

First Nation’s Health Authority Culturally Safe and Trauma-Informed Services​

Hope for Wellness Help Line offers immediate mental health counselling and crisis intervention by phone or online chat. Call toll-free 1-855-242-3310 or start a confidential chat with a counsellor at hopeforwellness.ca​.

Indian Residential School Crisis Line is a national service for anyone experiencing pain or distress as a result of their residential school experience. Call toll-free 1-866-925-4419.

Kuu-Us Crisis Line Society provides crisis services for Indigenous people across BC. Adults/Elders line 250-723-4050; youth line 250-723-2040. Or call toll free 1-800-588-8717. Learn more at www.kuu-uscrisisline.com.

Métis Crisis Line is a service of Métis Nation British Columbia. Call 1-833-MétisBC (1-833-638-4722).

First Nations Health Authority – “Traditional Wellness and Healing”

Canadian Nurse – “Using Indigenous knowledge to address mental illness in Indigenous communities”

Teachings In the Air Podcast – “Our Way(s) of Life – Travis Hebert a.k.a. Heebz the Earthchild”

Teachings In the Air Podcast – “Movement is Medicine – Saa Hiil Thut a.k.a. Gerry Oleman”

Transition Network – “What Indigenous Cultures can teach us about burnout”

Manitoba Trauma Information and Education Centre – “Indigenous Trauma and Healing”

Metis Counselling – “15 Ways to Reduce Stress”

Psychology Today – “Authentic Equity: Honoring Indigenous Healing Practices”

Psychology Today – “Tell Tale Signs of Burnout, do you have them?”

Canadian Medical Association – “Burnout 101 Signs and Strategies”