With life being so busy now days, burnout is on the increase and affecting people from all walks of life.., not just those in business.
Whether you're a professional, a student, a parent, or like me, simply trying to survive the challenges of your life, the pressure to keep up with the relentless demands of modern life can be exhausting and lead to burnout.
So how do you know if you are heading for burnout?
Burnout doesn't always look the same for everyone, but there are some common signs and symptoms to look out for:
Exhaustion: You might find that you are constantly tired, have no energy, and weirdly seeing as you're so tired, you might find it difficult to sleep. You might be feeling emotionally drained, irritable, or moody, and you might also feel that everything is all hopeless.
Lack of focus.You might find it hard to concentrate, make decisions, even the simple ones or do things with the focus and success that you usually do. This is often compounded if you happen to be menopausal too
.
Detached: You might find yourself being more cynical or feeling detached from your work or personal life.
Feeling poorly more often: Lots of headaches, an upset stomach or picking up lots of colds and bugs can be a sign due to your immune system being weakened by the stress that you're experiencing.
Not taking care of yourself: You can't be bothered to make the time for self-care, hobbies or going out and doing the things that you used to love.
Withdrawn: You might stop seeing friends and family because you don't have the energy or interest in keeping your relationships going.
These are just a few symptoms. I think the key is that if things are feeling off in your life, MAKE the time to start looking at what it could be and don't assume it's nothing. A trip to the DR will rule out any health worries.
How Does Burnout Feel?
Burnout is more than just a list of symptoms; it's a feeling that can be incredibly challenging to overcome. It often feels like a heavy, oppressive weight on your shoulders.
Emotionally, burnout can be overwhelming and show up as:
Frustration: You might be constantly frustrated or irritated, particularly with work and all your responsibilities.
Overwhelm: Feeling like you have a mountain of jobs to get through, and you can't see an end to it all.
Helplessness: Feeling of powerlessness and impossible for you to change things up.
You might be feeling guilty for not being able to meet your own or others' expectations.
Maybe a feeling empty, as if all the things that you used to love have lost their wow factor and its all just a bit meh.
Which brings me to the damage that burnout can do.
Burnout isn't just something that goes on in your head; it can take over your whole life.
Chronic stress and burnout can lead to long-term health issues such as heart disease, depression, and anxiety disorders.
It can affect your creativity,your work and your relationships
Burnout can have a huge negative effect on your quality of life, making it harder to feel happy fulfilled.
How to beat burnout?
You could try starting with one or more of these.
Set clear boundaries between work and personal life and make time for relaxation and self-care.
Manage your Stress: Use techniques such as mindfulness, meditation, or exercise to help manage your stress and anxiety.
Make self-care a non-negotiable part of your routine by blocking off time for the things that make you relaxed and feel content.
Get some help. Overwhelm can be so difficult to work through on your own so reach out to family and friends, colleagues or maybe consider getting some coaching.
Learn to Say No: This one is really difficult for lots of people, but It's essential to know your limits and say no when you need to.
Delegate and Share Responsibilities: At work and home,to lighten your load.you don't have to do it all no matter what you tell yourself. Try to remember that and what you or other people do doesn't have to be perfect. Sometimes the job just needs to be done.
Set Realistic Goals so that you're not setting yourself up for failure and taking on too much.
Conclusion
Burnout is a really serious issue that is now affecting so many people, especially women as they try to juggle all their roles. It's essential to be aware of it's signs and symptoms. If you recognise burnout early, you can take control and put things in place to prevent it from becoming a chronic problem.
Please try to keep in mind that self-care and having support are vital for preventing burnout. If you take care of you, you can absolutely lead a healthy and fulfilling life while dealing with the challenges of our fast-paced world.
If this sounds like something that you need some support with, please get in touch.
One conversation could change your life.
Take care of you.
Chris.
07974 618499