17 Tips to Recover From Feeling Emotionally Drained

An individual may feel emotionally drained when they are overwhelmed by various demands they have to contend with in their daily life. MentalHealthAnxietyWhatisAnxiety?TypesofAnxietyDisordersSigns&SymptomsofAnxietyTreatmentsforAnxietyAnxietyStatisticsSeeMoreAnxietyContentFindanAnxietySpecialistDepressionWhatisDepression?TypesofDepressionSigns&SymptomsofDepressionTreatmentsforDepressionDepressionStatisticsFindaDepressionSpecialistBipolarDisorderWhatisBipolarDisorder?BipolarIvs.BipolarIISigns&SymptomsofBipolarDisorderBipolarDisorderCyclesTreatmentsforBipolarDisorderFindaBipolarDisorderSpecialistADHDWhatisADHD?ADHDSigns&SymptomsADHD&DepressionFindanADHDSpecialistAddictionWhatisAddiction?WhatAreBehavioralAddictions?AddictionvsDependenceAddictionMythsvsFactsAddictionStatisticsHowtoHelpaFriendFindanAddictionSpecialistEatingDisordersAnorexiaBulimiaPersonalityDisordersObsessiveCompulsivePersonalityDisorderOCDvs.OCPDTraumaPost-TraumaticStressDisorderPTSD&COVID-19ChildhoodTraumaSexualDisordersGenderDysphoriaAnorgasmiaFemaleSexualArousalDisorder(FSAD)HypoactiveSexualDesireDisorder(HSDD)PrematureEjaculation(PE)DelayedEjaculationSchizophreniaTherapyTechniquesPsychotherapyCognitiveBehavioralTherapy(CBT)CBTforAnxietyCBTforSocialAnxietyCBTforPanicDisorderCBTforInsomniaCBTOnlineDialecticalBehaviorTherapy(DBT)DBTforTeensAcceptanceandCommitmentTherapy(ACT)EyeMovementDesensitizationandReprocessing(EMDR)EMDRforPTSDEMDRforAnxietyEMDROnlineArtTherapyAppliedBehaviorAnalysis(ABA)ExposureandResponsePreventionGroupTherapyHypnotherapyMotivationalInterviewingPersonCenteredTherapyOnlineTherapyRationalEmotiveBehavioralTherapySexTherapyTypesofTherapistsFaith-Based&ChristianCounselorsLifeCoachingFamilyTherapistChild&TeenCounselingMarriage&CouplesCounselorsPremaritalCounselingPsychiatristPsychologyvs.PsychiatryPsychotherapistOnlineTherapistsGriefCounselorsStartingTherapyFAQDoesTherapyWork?HowtoFindaTherapistHelpingaFriendorLovedOneHowtoChooseaTherapistFindingaBlackTherapistFindingaLatinxTherapistFindinganLGBTQ-FriendlyTherapistFindingaTherapistasaYoungAdultFindinganOnlineTherapistPreparingforYourFirstSessionTypesofMentalHealthProfessionalsMentalHealthInsuranceHSAsforTherapySlidingScaleTherapyFeesMentalHealthintheWorkplaceAskingforaMentalHealthDayTakingTimeOffforMentalHealthTopMentalHealthOrganizationsMentalHealthResourcesOutsidetheU.S.AboutUsAboutUsEditorialPolicyAdvertisingPolicyPrivacyPolicyContactUsWriteforUsJointheDirectoryCareersTherapistDirectoryFindaTherapistJointheDirectoryDirectoryLoginSessionLoginSkiptocontent17TipstoRecoverFromFeelingEmotionallyDrainedPublished:January25,2022Updated:May10,2022Published:01/25/2022Updated:05/10/2022Writtenby:DavinaTiwariMSW,RSW,CSFTReviewedby:BenjaminTroyMDWhatDoesItMeantoFeelEmotionallyDrained?DefinitionTipstoRecoverFromFeelingEmotionallyDrained17TipsBuildAwarenessAroundYourEmotionalExhaustion1.ReachOuttoYourSocialNetworkforSupport2.GetEnoughSleep&Rest3.GetSufficientExercise&Nutrition4.UseRelaxationTechniques5.FocusonthePresent6.PracticeGratitude7.FocusonWhatYouCanControl8.AdoptaNeutralPerspective9.RememberYourStrengths10.UsePositiveSelf-Talk11.LimitSubstanceUse12.DelegateTasksWherePossible&AskforHelp13.ImplementAssertiveness&ConflictResolutionSkills14.BuildinMoreTimeforHobbies&LeisureActivities15.TalktoYourDoctorAboutYourConcerns16.SeekoutSupportFromaMentalHealthProfessional17.FinalThoughtsConclusionAdditionalResourcesResourcesWrittenby:DavinaTiwariMSW,RSW,CSFTReviewedby:BenjaminTroyMDAnindividualmayfeelemotionallydrainedwhentheyareoverwhelmedbyvariousdemandstheyhavetocontendwithintheirdailylife.Whenthedemandsonapersonexceedtheirpersonalresourcesandtheirperceivedabilitytocope,itcanresultinfeelingemotionallydrained.1Waystorecoverfromfeelingemotionallydrainedincludeexercise,ahealthydiet,andseekingprofessionalhelp.BetterHelphasover20,000licensedtherapistswhoprovideconvenientandaffordableonlinetherapy.BetterHelpstartsat$60perweek.Completea briefquestionnaireandgetmatchedwiththerighttherapistforyou.ChoosingTherapypartnerswithleadingmentalhealthcompaniesandiscompensatedforreferralsbyBetterHelpVisitBetterHelpWhatDoesItMeantoFeelEmotionallyDrained?BeingemotionallydrainedisnotdesignatedasanactualmentalhealthdiagnosisintheDSM-V, however,itisrecognizedasbeingcausedbychronicstressthatcanbelinkedtotheworkplaceortootherlifedomainsintermsofstressinmaritalandotherrelationships,familylife,finances,andhealth.2,3Ifyouareemotionallyspent,thereareseveralsignsandsymptomsthatyoumayexperienceinyourdailylife,including:2,3Feelingnegative,hopeless,helplessaboutyoursituationandfeelingunabletoresolveyourissuesMentalexhaustionandlowenergylevel,resultinginlowengagementandlowparticipationinwork/lifeactivitiesaswellasphysicalsymptomslikefatigue,headaches,muscleaches,andreducedappetiteReducedworkperformance,includingabsenteeismandpoorerresults,andimpairedfunctioninginotherimportantareasoflifeandgeneralfeelingsofinefficacyLowmotivationandlowconcentrationtotackleresponsibilitiesandto-dolistsIncreasedemotionalreactivity–moreirritability,frustration,anger,anxiety,andstressindealingwithchallengesandalsoapathysinceyoumightfeelasthoughnothingwillimprove17TipstoRecoverFromFeelingEmotionallyDrainedRecoveringfromemotionalexhaustionispossiblewithavarietyofrecommendationsthatfocusonimprovingyourunderstandingofyourdifficulties,developingbettercopingabilities,exploringeffectivewaysofengagingwithothers,employingstressmanagementtechniques,andmodifyinghowyouperceiveyoursituationtohelpyouachievepositivechange.Hereare17tipstohelpyourecoverfromfeelingemotionallydrained:1,31.BuildAwarenessAroundYourEmotionalExhaustionIfyouremotionalenergyislow,thefirststeptowardschangeisbuildingawarenessofyoursymptomsbeforeseekinghelp.Indoingso,youwillbemoreabletoshareyourinsightsintherapyandfeelmorereadytomakeproactivechange.2.ReachOuttoYourSocialNetworkforSupportYourfamilyandfriendsareyoursupportsystem–drawonthemwhenyouneedtoforafundistraction,adeepdiscussion,ortojustspendqualitytimetogether.Givethemacall,sendthemamessage,orsetupadate/timeforyoutoconnect.3.GetEnoughSleep&RestIfyoufindyourselfsodrainedthatyouhavedifficultyfunctioninginallareasoflife,thismaybeasignthatyouneedtobuildinmorerestandrelaxation.Trytogetaminimumof8hoursofsleeppernightifyoucan.Takeyourpermittedbreaksatwork.Trytoendworkatadesignatedtimesoyoucandecompressinyourfreetime.4.GetSufficientExercise&NutritionWhenyou’refeelingemotionallydrained,itisimportanttoensureyouarekeepingactiveandeatingwelltokeepexhaustionatbayandmaintainwhatlittleenergyyoudohave.5.UseRelaxationTechniquesPracticedeepbreathing,progressivemusclerelaxation,meditation,yoga,journaling,andanyotherrelaxationmethodsthathelpyoufeelcalmer,especiallyifyounoticeyouremotionsareheightenedduetostressandfatigue.6.FocusonthePresentInconnectionwithrelaxationstrategies,stayinginthemomentasmuchaspossiblewillhelpyoufeellessoverwhelmedbyfutureanticipatedstressors.Inaddition,byperceivingyourselfasbeinglessstressed,youmayactuallystarttofeellessstressed,therebyimprovingyourmentalwell-being.Considertheperspectivethatyourstresswillpasswithtimeandwillnotbeaconstantfixtureinyourlifeforever.7.PracticeGratitudeYoucanshiftyourperspectivefromoneofdespairtooneofhopewhenyouconsiderthethingsthataregoingwellinyourlifefromahealth,social,financial,family,andspiritualperspectiveandanyotherkeyareasinyourlife.8.FocusonWhatYouCanControlWhentherearethingsoutsideofourcontrol,wecanfeelpowerless.Byattendinginsteadtowhatyoucancontrol,thismayhelpremindyouofwhatyoucanmanagewithinyourownresources,includingyourtimeandenergy.Thismighthelpyoufeelabitbetteraboutyoursituation.9.AdoptaNeutralPerspectiveSometimes,weinflatetheseverityofaproblemwhenwefeeloverwhelmed.Byconsideringtheproblemfromamoreneutralstandpoint,thismayhelpyoufeellessstressedandmorecapableofaddressingtheissueeffectively.10.RememberYourStrengthsWetendtoforgetwhatwearecapableofwhenwearesufferingfromsheerexhaustion.Takeamomenttothinkaboutyourskills,abilities,positivequalities,andstrengths.Youmightbesurprisedbyyourabilitytoovercomeobstacles.11.UsePositiveSelf-TalkInlinewithfocusingonyourstrengths,thinkabouthowyouhavebeenabletocopeuptothispoint,whathaskeptyougoing,andhowyouwillbeabletomanagemovingforward.Thismayhelpyouredirectyourattentiontowardovercomingyourobstaclesratherthanfeelingovercomebythem.12.LimitSubstanceUsePeoplemayturntosubstancestohelpthemcopewithhowtheyfeel,however,thiswillactuallymakethemfeelworseandlessabletohandletheirissues.Limitsubstanceuseasmuchaspossibletoremainclear-mindedandfocusedonaddressingyourconcerns.13.DelegateTasksWherePossible&AskforHelpDeterminewhatresponsibilitiesyoucanasksomeoneelsetotakecareoftoreduceyourlevelofstress.Checkinwiththeotherpersontoseewhattheyarecomfortabletakingontohelpyou.Bygettingthehelpyouneed,youmayfeellessdrained.14.ImplementAssertiveness&ConflictResolutionSkillsLearntosetlimitsandboundarieswithotherswhomaybecontributingtowardsyoufeelingdrained.Learntosay“no”towhatevermakesyouuncomfortableordoesn’tfeelrighttoyou.Useeffectiveconflictresolutionbyobjectivelyfocusingontheissue,avoidingcriticismanddefensiveness,takingresponsibilitywhereappropriate,andworkingcollaborativelyandopenlytowardssolvingtheproblem.15.BuildinMoreTimeforHobbies&LeisureActivitiesItisimportanttoprioritizeactivitiesthatrenewandrejuvenateyou,asthiswillhelpreduceyourfeelingsofbeingemotionallyandphysicallydrainedandenableyoutohandlestressorsmoreeasily.16.TalktoYourDoctorAboutYourConcernsIt’simportanttoletyourdoctorknowaboutwhatyou’reexperiencing,especiallyifyoumayneedtorequesttimeofffromworktorecover,asyourdoctorwillneedtofilloutamedicalforminsupportofyourrequest.17.SeekoutSupportFromaMentalHealthProfessionalAccessingtherapytotalkaboutyourconcernsandtolearnhowtobuildyourcopingskillsisimportantforimprovingyoursymptomsandhelpingyougetbacktoyourlifeinthewayyouwantto.Contactingatherapistwhenyoufirstrecognizesignsofburnoutcanhelpyouavoidmildorhighfunctioningdepression.Itcanbehelpfultouseanonlinetherapistdirectorytosearchforatherapistwhooffersstressreductiontherapy.FinalThoughtsWhileitmayfeelimpossibletorecoverfrombeingemotionallydrained,itisimportanttorecognizethatyouhavethetoolsandskillsavailabletoyoutohelpyougetbackcontroloveryourlifeasyounavigatetheworldaroundyou.Ifyouneedremindersfromtimetotime,feelfreetoglanceatthelistofcopingtipsinthisarticleforaquickrefresher.AdditionalResourcesEducationisjustthefirststeponourpathtoimprovedmentalhealthandemotionalwellness.Tohelpourreaderstakethenextstepintheirjourney,ChoosingTherapyhaspartneredwithleadersinmentalhealthandwellness.ChoosingTherapymaybecompensatedforreferralsbythecompaniesmentionedbelow.BetterHelpOnlineTherapy–BetterHelphasover20,000licensedtherapistswhoprovideconvenientandaffordableonlinetherapy.BetterHelpstartsat$60perweek.Completea briefquestionnaireandgetmatchedwiththerighttherapistforyou.GetStartedTalkspaceOnlineTherapy–OnlinetherapyisconvenientwithTalkspace.Gettherapyforaslittleas$69perweek,orpotentiallymuchlessifyouhaveinsurancefromCigna,Optum,orUHR.TryTalkspaceChoosingTherapy’sDirectory–Findanexperiencedtherapistwhoiscommittedtoyourwellbeing.Youcansearchforatherapistbyspecialty,availability,insurance,andaffordability.Therapistprofilesandintroductoryvideosprovideinsightintothetherapist’spersonalitysoyoufindtherightfit.Findatherapisttoday.Mindfulness&MeditationApp–Headspaceisaneasywaytoincorporatemindfulnessandmeditationintoyourroutine.Seeforyourselfhowafewminuteseachdaycanimpactyourstresslevels,mood,andsleep.AmonthlysubscriptionforHeadspaceisonly$12.99permonthandcomeswitha7-dayfreetrial.TryHeadspaceChoosingTherapypartnerswithleadingmentalhealthcompaniesandiscompensatedforreferralsbyBetterHelp,Talkspace,andHeadspaceForFurtherReadingMentalHealthAmericaNationalAllianceonMentalHealthMentalHealth.gov4sourcesChoosingTherapystrivestoprovideourreaderswithmentalhealthcontentthatisaccurateandactionable.Wehavehighstandardsforwhatcanbecitedwithinourarticles.Acceptablesourcesincludegovernmentagencies,universitiesandcolleges,scholarlyjournals,industryandprofessionalassociations,andotherhigh-integritysourcesofmentalhealthjournalism.Learnmorebyreviewingourfulleditorialpolicy.Klusmann,U.,Aldrup,K.,Schmidt,J.,Ludtke,O.(2021).Isemotionalexhaustiononlytheresultofworkexperiences?Adiarystudyondailyhasslesandupliftsindifferentlifedomains.Anxiety,Stress,andCoping,34(2),173-190.Retrievedfrom:https://doi.org/10.1080/10615806.2020.1845430AmericanPsychiatricAssociation.(January,2017).DiagnosticandStatisticalManualofMentalDisorders(DSM-5).5thEdition.CanadianPsychologicalAssociation.(July,2021).“PsychologyWorks”FactSheet:WorkplaceBurnout.Retrievedfrom:https://cpa.ca/psychology-works-fact-sheet-workplace-burnout/MayoClinicStaff.(July,2020).EmotionalExhaustionDuringTimesofUnrest.Retrievedfrom:https://www.mayoclinichealthsystem.org/hometown-health/speaking-of-health/emotional-exhaustion-during-times-of-unrest RecentArticlesHowtoApologize:7TipsforaSincereApologyWeallmakemistakesandhurtpeoplewelovefromtimetotime,andoftentimes,mostofusfeelmore';HowtoCalmAnxiety:21TipsFromaTherapistTheefforttocalmyouranxietycantakemanyforms,butitofteninvolveslearningwaystorelaxyourmore';WhattoSaytoSomeoneWhoIsDepressedThebestwaytorespondtosomeonewhoisstrugglingwithdepressioniswithsupportandopenness.Depressionismore';10BestStressManagementBooksfor2022Stressisanaturalpartoflife,butchronic,constantstresscancauselastingdamageandbedifficulttomore';WhyamIsoLonely?Causes&WhattoDoLonelinessisacommonfeelingeveryoneexperiencesatsomepointintheirlife.Feelinglonelycanbeahardmore';WhyCan’tIFocus?Everyonefeelsunfocusedfromtimetotime.Wemaybeatworkandthinkingaboutsomethingathomeormore';Writtenby:DavinaTiwariMSW,RSW,CSFTReviewedby:BenjaminTroyMDWhatDoesItMeantoFeelEmotionallyDrained?DefinitionTipstoRecoverFromFeelingEmotionallyDrained17TipsBuildAwarenessAroundYourEmotionalExhaustion1.ReachOuttoYourSocialNetworkforSupport2.GetEnoughSleep&Rest3.GetSufficientExercise&Nutrition4.UseRelaxationTechniques5.FocusonthePresent6.PracticeGratitude7.FocusonWhatYouCanControl8.AdoptaNeutralPerspective9.RememberYourStrengths10.UsePositiveSelf-Talk11.LimitSubstanceUse12.DelegateTasksWherePossible&AskforHelp13.ImplementAssertiveness&ConflictResolutionSkills14.BuildinMoreTimeforHobbies&LeisureActivities15.TalktoYourDoctorAboutYourConcerns16.SeekoutSupportFromaMentalHealthProfessional17.FinalThoughtsConclusionAdditionalResourcesResourcesIfyouareinneedofimmediatemedicalhelp:MedicalEmergency911SuicideHotline800-273-8255SeemoreCrisisHotlinesWeusecookiesonourwebsitetogiveyouthemostrelevantexperiencebyrememberingyourpreferencesandrepeatvisits.Byclicking“Accept”,youconsenttotheuseofALLthecookies.However,youmayvisitCookieSettingstoprovidecontrolledconsent.CookiesettingsACCEPTPrivacy&CookiesPolicyClosePrivacyOverviewWeusecookiestofacilitatewebsitefunctionality.Also,weusethird-partycookiestotrackyourwebsitebehaviorandtargetadvertising.Thesecookiesarestoredinyourbrowseronlywithyourconsent,andyouhavethechoiceofoptingout.NecessaryNecessaryAlwaysEnabledNecessarycookiesareabsolutelyessentialforthewebsitetofunctionproperly.Thiscategoryonlyincludescookiesthatensuresbasicfunctionalitiesandsecurityfeaturesofthewebsite.Thesecookiesdonotstoreanypersonalinformation.NonNecessarynon-necessaryAnycook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