Are you suffering from burnout?

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By Victoria Jane

What is burnout?

Today’s society is extremely fast paced. We are more likely to recharge our phone batteries than recharge our own batteries. As tech demand increases and daily pressures continue to mount up, it is unsurprising that we are burning ourselves out without even realising it.

We have all simply become a nation of greed-driven, screen-sucking zombies.

“Burnout” is exactly what it says on the tin. Without a shadow of a doubt, many people would nail that extra role in The Walking Dead simply for walking around like a zombie 24/7. It can stop us from functioning properly, by taking its toll on the simplest of day-to-day tasks. Not only this, prolonged exposure to burnout can lead to illnesses such as severe depression and stress, as well as other health conditions, too. Therefore, it is in our best interest as high-flying human beings to be able to recognise when we are about to burn ourselves out. The good news is: as quickly as burnout can creep up on us like a shadow in the dark, with the right help and actions, burnout can be eradicated just as quickly, too.

So, what are the symptoms of burnout?

Some of the symptoms aren’t always text-book, so it’s important to listen to your mind and body and make the necessary adjustments in order to get your life back on track.

Some of the most common physical symptoms may include:

Unexplained aches and pains, including a clenched and/or aching jaw
Fatigue and very little, to zero, energy
Insomnia and possibly nightmares
Lack of appetite/overeating the wrong things. A poor diet
Unable to carry out basic tasks at work and home; self-care can suffer, too

Some of the most common physical symptoms may include:

Loss of enjoyment of doing the things that you used to love
Unusually tearful and irritable over small things that wouldn’t normally affect you
Everything seems impossible and unmanageable; being unable to prioritise correctly
Feeling like you are losing control and unable to stop worrying
Disconnection with loved ones or people who are close to you
Being overly self-critical, or taking criticism far too personally

Does this sound familiar?

If the answer is yes, then it is a possibility that you are burning yourself out or biting off more than you can chew. However, it is important to get checked out by a health professional, first of all, to rule out other health conditions that may have similar symptoms to burnout.

Can I get burnout?

Anyone can get burnout, just as a car can run out of fuel. If a car starts to run out of fuel, it simply cannot function to its highest capacity and it will eventually stop. Take notice of your own fuel warning lights, put the right things into action, and away you go again.

Preventing Burnout

Take a day off. Taking a day or two out of the noise, just for you, so that you can catch up on rest, pamper yourself or go for a lovely scenic walk will help to recharge your own batteries. Taking time may help to prevent you taking future sick leave, too. #MeDay Campaign
Get plenty of rest whenever you can, eat healthily and try to avoid, or cut down on, caffeine, tobacco and alcohol intake. This will help you sleep better and ease some of the symptoms too.
Strip back to basics. Reschedule those unimportant business meetings, only prioritise urgent calls and emails, ask for help, and try and delegate some of your workload to others until you are feeling better. As far as home life is concerned, ask for help. If you live alone, putting off the washing or vacuuming an extra few days isn’t going to cause you any harm. This does not make you a failure or incompetent, it simply means that you are only human.
Say no. Saying no to certain things does not mean that you are being stubborn or selfish. If you are not feeling up to doing something, do not do it. You don’t have to explain yourself to anybody, as you are doing what is necessary to make you feel better. Your true friends will always support your decision and will still be there for you, no matter what.
Exercise, even if it’s a brisk walk once or twice a week. Exercise is proven to raise those feel-good hormones and reduce those pesky stress hormones too. Find something that you really enjoy doing, whether it’s joining a class or dancing privately in your living room. Whichever you choose to do, exercising will help you to feel less sluggish and a little more active.