What is burnout?
According to WebMD, burnout by definition is “a state of complete physical, mental and emotional exhaustion.” I am sure that many have experienced this state of being. We often have a passion for what we are doing and when that passion shines brightest, we give it our all and sometimes that passion gets snuffed out because we are trying to do everything ourselves without asking for help and feeling as though we need help. Does this feel true for you?
Are you feeling like the easiest things feel hard to do or take too much energy? Do you feel helpless or that you don’t care as much about things that you would typically find important? Are you feeling overwhelmed and stressed with the work and deadlines looming? Are you feeling like everything is just too much for you? If you’ve answered yes to any of these questions or symptoms and you are in burnout. Here are some tips on how to deal with or prevent burnout.
How can we deal with burnout?
Find ways to replenish your emotional and physical energy. A good start would be to talk to someone about how you are feeling. This could be anybody, a co-worker, boss, neighbor, friend or anyone that you trust with how you’re feeling. The next step would be to prioritize your sleep, nutrition, exercise and practices that will help you with mental well being. Reach out to your friends and stay social. It can help with any loneliness you may be feeling. Another good option is to journal. Put all your feelings and emotions into this journal and allow your mind to feel less full and more clear. This journal could be physical or digital. You can store it in a safe place or if you choose to write it on a loose piece of paper, burn it. Burn those feelings and emotions that are affecting you and your health.
How can we prevent it?
Make time for yourself. This can involve the way you sleep, such as knowing how many hours of sleep you need and going to bed at a time that works for you. Eating a well-balanced diet can improve both your physical and mental well-being. As needed, give yourself a break. Find ways to relax. That could be having a bath, reading a book, watching a movie/show or meditating. It could be anything that takes your mind away from what may be going on and focusing on you and what you can control. Going for walks is also a great way to relax and decompress whether that be before bed or first thing in the morning, it can allow you to slow down and enjoy the moment. If things are difficult to accept, a great deep breathing technique called ‘mindful breathing’ is an excellent way to help be present with nature. Do this by taking deep breaths, in the mouth and out the nose, count to four each time to feel and observe how you are connecting in that moment. Although it's never easy, taking care of yourself is the best way to prevent yourself from burning out.
In order to help others you must first help yourself. By incorporating balance in your diet, movement in your day and taking a break when you need it, you can help others more freely. Balance and self-care are the keys to leading a happy and successful life business and in your personal life.
~Till next time
Ashley Benedet
References
Burnout: Symptoms and Signs. (n.d.). Wikipedia. Retrieved May 31, 2024, from https://www.webmd.com/mental-health/burnout-symptoms-signs
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