Self-care is important for our long-term health.
There becomes a point where our efforts become too much.
Life becomes overwhelming, we feel like we are spiraling.
Essentially, we become burnt out and exhausted by the tasks of life.
At this point you may feel depressed and hopeless.
There are days ahead where you can barely get out of bed.
There are days where life’s tasks seem impossible.
At this point you probably relate to experiences like this right?
Burnout is common for us all.
However, if you are on the autistic spectrum, burnout might feel different for you.
Studies show that autistic burnout is quite often misdiagnosed as depression.
Often the signs can be similar, but you may be experiencing these feelings as well.
You may be experiencing these feelings at a higher intensity than most do.
Your depression may feel harder to cope with.
Your anxiety makes you feel panicked.
You may feel like you need to resort to being nonverbal.
Your eye contact may be difficult.
You also may feel clumsier than you normally would.
I have experienced these feelings for the entirety of my life.
It’s always felt different from regular depression.
I cannot cope in a way I normally would. I cannot think clearly.
My coping mechanism is to lay on the couch and be lazy until I feel comfortable again.
Obviously, this isn’t a healthy strategy.
All of the feelings I experience turn into a huge weight on my back.
It feels like 1000 pounds and it gets to the point where I can’t move.
Perhaps you’ve felt this way too, it’s difficult to cope with.
Perhaps you have a friend that feels this way and can’t seem to get help.
There are ways you can balance your life out so you don’t feel overwhelmed.
Time management can be key here.
The more aware I became of these traits, the quicker I looked for help.
What I’ve discovered to help myself could be some useful tips to help you too.
Remember to give yourself time for breaks, don’t tackle all your responsibilities at once.
Write out the tasks you need to accomplish throughout the day.
Set goals for yourself so you can pace yourself task by task.
This way if you have a plan for your day, you won’t feel so stressed.
When your mind starts to race too fast, seek out your hobbies.
If you have a special interest you hold onto use it, it can provide comfort.
Spending your breaks wisely like that can bring you more peace.
Talk to your friends and family too, tell them everything you are feeling.
Your loved ones can help and support you to find ways to control your emotions.
I know talking to others about it can be intimidating.
However, it’s comforting to know you have help when you need it.
Finally, and most importantly, be patient with yourself.
Life will bring you many challenges, but you are strong enough to face them.