Why Traveling More Can Help Cure Your Burnout
In recent years, burnout has become one of the biggest things people all around the world have been struggling through. This can be because there is a rise in expectations from work, a rise in overall stress in the world, or because we are finally having a light shed on the damaging hustle culture that is encouraged. Regardless of this, burnout is a topic we are really passionate about at Authenteco Travel.
This is because we are big believers that traveling more can help cure your burnout… if you do it the right way!
According to the World Health Organization, burnout is officially now a diagnosable medical condition.
This is according to the International Classification of Diseases, or the ICD-11, which guides medical providers in diagnosing diseases.
According to the handbook, doctors can diagnose someone with burnout if they meet the following symptoms:
1. feelings of energy depletion or exhaustion
2. increased mental distance from one's job, or feelings of negativism or cynicism related to one's job
3. reduced professional efficacy
Although this is a huge step forward, there is still a long way to go to recover from burnout. Let’s dive into what burnout is, where it comes from, and how traveling can help!
Want to book your next adventure? Submit your trip request here!
Important note: It is important to remember that we are not medical advisors. We are passionate about travel and believe that from our own firsthand experiences and our travelers experiences, traveling more can help assist with the feelings of being burnout.
What is burnout?
The signs and symptoms of burnout can look different for every person. Essentially, it is a state of chronic stress and a condition that is caused by physical, psychological, and emotional exhaustion.
Symptoms of burnout include, amongst many others:
Fatigue
Struggling to concentrate
Physical symptoms, for example dizziness and shortness of breath
Anxiety and panic attacks
Dreading social outings and work
Short temper
Struggling to sleep
Sense of failure and self-doubt.
Feeling helpless, trapped, and defeated.
Detachment, feeling alone in the world.
Loss of motivation.
Increasingly cynical and negative outlook.
Decreased satisfaction and sense of accomplishment.
The problem with feeling burnout is that we often suppress the feelings and put our mood and exhaustion and other symptoms down to other factors like ‘I just have too much to do’ and ‘my kids haven’t been sleeping so I am just tired.’
In reality, a lot of the feelings we are having are caused by things surrounding work and employment. Over a period of time, these feelings begin to grow and can be quite detrimental to your health if not assessed.
The feelings of burnout often go hand in hand with stress caused by work or employment-related life factors. This can be related to those struggling to find work, those working a demanding job, or if you are working in an environment that doesn’t fulfil you. Plus a number of other factors.
Burnout can also be related to not taking enough downtime or enough time away from the things that cause you the most stress (study, work, family issues, etc).
Social media can also contribute to this heightened state of stress and anxiety as well. An obsession to check notifications and often self-induced pressure of displaying a perfect daily life and competing for likes and followers can lead to these growing feelings of burnout.
There are so many causes, and whatever it is that affects you is relative to your own experiences. The important thing is that you don’t let whatever causes you this feeling of burnout to overcome your life.
Our clients taking some down time to enjoy a romantic weekend away
The sad truth: burnout is really common
Depending on how you see this, the fact that burnout is really common can be a good or bad thing. It means that if you are experiencing burnout, you are not alone. But, it also means that the majority of society is feeling the same feelings.
This is a rather sad truth to acknowledge.
Being burned out has become increasingly common over the last few years, and the numbers are only continuing to grow as the fallout from the pandemic continues.
Here are some interesting statistics taken from an Indeed report and posted by Forbes in 2021:
Over half (52%) of survey respondents experienced burnout in 2021
53% of Millennials were already burned out pre-pandemic, and they remain the most affected population, with 59% experiencing it today. However, Gen-Z is now neck and neck, as 58% report burnout—up from 47% who said the same in 2020.
Baby Boomers show a 7% increase in burnout from pre-pandemic levels (24%) to today (31%). And at 54%, more than half of Gen-Xers are currently burned out—a 14% jump from the 40% who felt this way last year.
Among all respondents, 80% believe Covid-19 has impacted workplace burnout.
Family getaway to New Hampshire in 2020
Why travel is good for burnout
The entire team at Authenteco Travel have experienced burnout a number of times in their lives, and we are all big believers that traveling more can help cure your burnout… if you do it the right way!
Here are a few reasons why taking a vacation can help with burnout!
Traveling gives you space to distance yourself from burnout
When you take a vacation, you leave behind the things that stress you out most in life. This space allows you time to stop focusing on the things that cause you these feelings of stress and anxiety. No work, study, or chaotic life events are causing these feelings.
The best part about traveling is seeing new places. You get to have fun experiences, relax, explore new parts of the world, and enjoy spending time on your own and with your loved ones.
This space can be incredibly healing for your mind and body. It can give you exactly what you need to help heal the parts of you struggling, so when you return, you are returning with new energy, a renewed sense of happiness, and motivation to tackle your worries head-on.
Need to plan your next vacation? Submit your trip request here, and we’d love to help make that happen.
Girls trip to Colorado in 2021
Traveling in nature is healing
It’s no secret that nature is one of the most healing things in the world.
When you take a vacation, we always recommend taking one that involves a large amount of outdoor time.
Don’t worry, this doesn’t have to be hiking everywhere you go, scaling cliff faces, and jumping into shark-infested waters for fun.
It can be as simple as a walk to a waterfall. A dip in the ocean. A drive through stunning, ancient rainforests. A sightseeing trip through a National Park.
Whatever it is- outside it is always better when you are on vacation. There is so much to see and do- particularly if you are interested in the National Parks (they are kind of our specialty trips!).
This time spent outside- as long as you feel safe- is an antidote for stress. It can help lower your stress hormones and reduce your feelings of anxiety, all the while boosting your mood and energy levels.
You can spend more time with yourself and/or your loved ones
Whether you are traveling solo or you are traveling with a group of friends or family members, travel offers one thing that normal day to day life often doesn’t- time spent having fun.
The great thing about traveling when you have been experiencing feelings of burnout is that you get to really regain that sense of fun, relaxation, and happiness that life can often push to the side. And what better way to do this than with the people you love?
Whether it’s a romantic getaway, a trip with your Mum, or someone else entirely, you can step back, relax, have fun, and enjoy having new experiences with these people. It can be incredibly healing to do so.
Or, if you are a solo traveler, it can give you time to sort through your thoughts. Maybe you have a big dilemma you need to make a decision on? Maybe you just need some alone time to figure out what you really want. Maybe you just want to spend some time doing the things you love on your own so you can feel refreshed and relaxed when you return home.
These are all things that a vacation can offer you and why we are big believers that traveling more can help cure your burnout!
Founder, Shelby traveling with Mum to Europe
Regain appreciation of what you do have in your life
Although this goes hand in hand with taking space away from the stressful things in your life, this space can be incredibly important for helping you to regain an appreciation for what you do have.
Space can help you remember what is important to you. It can help you realize that there are things you are missing or things that you want to be doing but aren’t. It can help you find perspective on the bigger things in your life.
It’s so important to have this time to reflect and appreciate what you have.
Need to plan your next vacation? Submit your trip request here, and we’d love to help make that happen.
Our travelers on their Honeymoon in Maui
How to book a stress-free vacation so you can help cure your burnout
We book stress-free vacations for busy and stressed-out people. We make sure to take all the nitty-gritty stressful things out of the vacation booking process, leaving you with the time to focus on the important things in life.
When you’re on your vacation, we ensure that every element of your trip is perfect so that you can take your vacation knowing you don’t have to stress about a thing.
If you ask us… that’s the best way to cure burnout!
Here’s how it works:
First, you submit a trip request and join our waitlist.
Once the travel concierge team receives your trip request, they’ll reach out to schedule a 1-on-1 video chat or phone call to discuss your trip. This is your time to make sure you’re confident that we will plan the perfect vacation for you before securing your travel dates.
After your phone call, we’ll finalize your trip dates/destination and collect your deposit. All that’s left for you is to fill out a comprehensive travel survey telling us everything about you! We cover it all, from how you like your coffee to exactly what type of accommodation you want!
The travel survey is an important step to guaranteeing your vacation is perfect! We use the survey responses to custom plan your vacation.
Our process is so unique, it’s the reason publications like Washington Post interview us over other companies! We don’t want you to suffer from travel regret or burnout, so we get to know exactly who you are in our detailed travel survey. But don’t worry- it’s super fun and easy to do!
A few days after completing your travel survey, we’ll quote your trip, send over a few final documents, book your travel insurance, and request your 50% payment. Travel insurance is required if you choose to travel with us. In a Covid world, anything is possible, so we want you protected!
We've got all we need after this! This is the best part: you get to relax while we get to work, making your perfect romantic getaway a reality!
This is a hands-off process for you, and we’ve got it from here. We are experienced trip planners who want the best for your vacation and the community you visit. Let us do the hard work!
You can expect your destination and activity-specific packing list 30 days from departure. Your signature Authenteco gift box, day-by-day itinerary, destination magazine, and exclusive trip information will be sent one week before you depart.
Now it’s time for a vacation!
If you want to learn more about an Authenteco Vacation, read this article about how the pricing works or submit your trip request here!
An important note
It is important to acknowledge that as with everything in life, not everything is for everybody.
Traveling is one of those things that will help most people take a break from the things that cause them stress and anxiety in life, but it may not be the only cure for burnout, or the best depending on your circumstances.
You will find yourself confronted with new environments and habits that will stretch your patience. It can be busy and exhausting, at times. And not everything will always go according to plan. There may be delays, discomfort, and other inconveniences.
But, the good news is that you can have someone in your corner backing you and helping you achieve the perfect stress-free vacation if that is what you need.
Some other tips for dealing with burnout:
Share what you are going through with trusted family and friends.
Speak with your manager about your feelings. Try to work out acceptable work-life boundaries. Agree to set reasonable, achievable goals.
Step away from the computer. Take some short breaks during the day to clear your head.
Go on long walks, exercise, ride a bike, jog, play a sport or do some Yoga. Physical activities will make you feel better.
Make sure to go outside to absorb sunlight and fresh air.
Take up hobbies.
Ask for a few mental health days off from work.
Meditate, practice mindfulness and do some deep breathing exercises
Improve your diet and get a good night's sleep
If you continue having challenges, seek out help from a professional.
