Understand that the cure for burnout is not merely individual self-care, but a collective effort where everyone cares for each other, creating a supportive system where needs are met and no one is left behind.
Recognize that the physiological stress response can be completed independently of resolving the external stressor (e.g., laundry, work problems), allowing you to manage the physical experience of stress even if the problem persists.
Actively engage in physiological actions like crying, laughing, physical activity, or affection to complete the body’s stress response cycle, even if the stressor remains unresolved, to prevent burnout.
Understand that wellness is not a static state of being but an active process of movement through the stress cycle, oscillating between rest and action to maintain balance.
Recognize that there is no single “script” for completing the stress response cycle; instead, choose methods that are accessible and personally effective for you in the context of your current life.
Use physical activity, such as running, jumping, dancing, tightening muscles, or wrestling, to efficiently communicate to your body that you have escaped the stressor and are now safe, completing the stress response cycle.
Engage in physical affection with someone who is your “emotional home” as a straightforward biological cue that signals safety to your body, helping to complete the stress response cycle.
Hug someone you love and trust for 20 seconds to physically connect, which lowers heart rate and blood pressure, signaling safety to your body and completing the stress response cycle.
Utilize creative self-expression through music, writing, sculpture, or theater as a “cultural loophole” to safely externalize and process big feelings like frustration, rage, and fear, preventing them from causing harm inside your body.
Ensure you get enough continuous sleep, as it allows your body to fully process and complete the stress response cycle, repairing physical damage and integrating memories.
Challenge the societal stigma around needing connection and support, recognizing that humans are a “hive species” and that needing others for touch, closeness, or emotional support is a natural and healthy part of well-being, not a weakness.