Burnout
What is burnout? Burnout is something that occurs usually from prolonged periods of stress. It has been described as a state of mental and physical exhaustion. The cause of burnout can be difficult to identify, however work-related or personal stresses are commonly associated with it, particularly for people who have unreasonable workloads or have a large role in caregiving.
Being aware of burnout occurring can help your overall wellbeing. Some signs of burnout are:
Having decreased motivated or sense of accomplishments
Lowered concentration and regular procrastination
Feelings of detachment or indifference
Feelings of depression without any known reason
Physical exhaustion, broken sleep, high heart rate
Withdrawing from family and friends
Especially as we live in a digital age where almost everything seems to be instantaneous, fast-paced and switched to “on” mode. However, our bodies were not designed to keep running on high speed. It is easy to forget to switch our devices off, take a moment to be mindful and switch to an “off” mode. It is not only essential for our mental health but also for our physical health as constant stress can lead to hypertension, depression, and other serious health conditions.
How to deal with burnout:
Seek support: build a strong network of support with trusted people you can turn to. Reach out to a health professional.
Identify stressors and set boundaries: whether it’s for your personal life or for work, it’s important to set boundaries. e.g. saying ‘no’ to a social event of a distant relative that you really do not have time or energy to attend.
Practicing mindfulness can help to lower blood pressure and reduce levels of stress hormones like cortisol. Calming the mind and body can also help to reduce symptoms of insomnia.
Practice other areas of self-care: Make time to do things that promote your physical and mental wellbeing. e.g. exercise, meditation, doing something creative, catching up with a friend for coffee, connecting with nature, spending time with your pet, mindful eating, practice gratitude, listening to a podcast.
Looking after your wellbeing is important. Start small…what is one thing you can do this week to look after yourself?