Sten’s Story – Burnout on Holiday
Sten (39)
I was on an extended holiday in Thailand when I realized that burnout was within touching distance. Work-related obsessive thoughts were swirling in my head, and I was hovering somewhere between burnout and depression. Paradoxically, this sudden brake and stepping away from work affected me very badly.
Then I opened my laptop and searched the internet for possible solutions. By lucky chance, I came across MER Biofeedback® therapy. Just reading other people’s experiences brought me relief. Whilst still in Thailand, I booked myself an appointment, and when I got back home, I went straight to therapy.
The picture is illustrative. Image by Freepik.
I don’t remember the first therapy session all that well, but I clearly recall how, after getting home, I sat on the sofa and realized that my head was empty of thoughts. I smiled to myself and acknowledged that my memory stick had indeed been wiped clean, as the therapist had described. The effect was significant and memorable—it’s difficult to put into words.
After that, I’ve been attending therapy once a month, and I’ve now been going for over a year. When life is more or less in good balance, the post-therapy effect isn’t as powerful, but attending therapy itself is relaxing for me. I feel that I wouldn’t be able to relax on my own in the way I can whilst I’m there.
I’ve worked like a hamster on a wheel for over twenty years, and work has always come along with the rest of my life and holidays. To genuinely improve my quality of life, it’s not enough just to relax in the therapy chair—I have to take decisive steps myself.
I realized that active holidays suit me better. When you’re just lounging about, there’s more time to think. When I have skis on, those moments don’t arise. I’ve also accepted that I can’t completely switch off on holiday, so I set aside time every morning—an hour—to review work matters.
The picture is illustrative. Image by Freepik.
Consistency and discipline are important. Monthly therapy is one part of that.
The goal isn’t to attend therapy, but to bring balance to your life. Therapy is simply support in that process. Daily, I’ve marked specific breaks in my calendar. Actually, it’s recommended that during working hours you should have 15-minute moments when you don’t work. This isn’t just made up—these are very necessary. I consciously take those moments and do other things. I take the car to be washed, go to the barber’s, and so on.
Sleep has also been a concern for me for years. Some nights I only manage to sleep 2-3 hours, and when this happens several nights in a row, it’s difficult to recover from. After my first therapy sessions, my sleep was very good. I slept deeply and even until my alarm went off.
Everyone has to go through this experience themselves to understand how great an effect MER Biofeedback® therapy truly has. Thanks to MER Biofeedback® therapy, my head is clearer, and therefore it’s easier to stick to my set goals. Burnout was already quite close—I don’t want to experience that again.