Burnout is a state of extreme mental, emotional and physical exhaustion caused by excessive prolonged stress resulting in the inability to handle day to day responsibilities.
Some examples of people and circumstances that could lead to burnout: firefighters handling wildfires, emergency responders attending a disaster, living in a disempowering relationship, working under constant pressure, living in extreme poverty, caring for a partner or family member who has a long term illness or disability requiring 24/7 care, breakup of relationship, loss of access to kids, loss of job.
Responses to burnout may include:
Depression; anxiety; sleeping problems; feeling hopeless and helpless; withdrawal from normal life; loss of self-worth; inability to focus or concentrate; inability to cope with workload; using food drugs or alcohol to feel better or not feel; unexplained physical problems such as headaches, digestive issues or aches and pains; working endlessly without producing results.
Who experiences burnout?
Burnout often affects people who have little control of their workload or life circumstances. Here are some examples:
A working mother with teenage children who has additional responsibility of caring for a parent with dementia.
A senior executive in a high pressure job, handling a stressful divorce.
Medical staff member handling trauma cases and working on shifts
Member of team run by a bully who constantly demeans them and takes all credit for their success.
Caregiver of someone with terminal brain cancer.
Many people who experience burnout give their all to their work or family at the expense of their own self-care, to the point they feel completely drained and worthless. Victims of burnout often survive on spurts of energy from artificial stimulants or adrenalin until they have no reserves left.
How do you know if you have or are vulnerable to burnout?
Ask yourself:
Do I feel out of control of my workload?
Am I able to maintain balance in my life?
Do I have a robust support network?
Am I susceptible to colds and flu?
If you believe burnout is holding you back:
Spend a week to 10 days attending to the balance in your life:
Create Golden Moments for yourself – commit to 5x10 minute breaks in the day. Set them in your calendar to be broken in extreme emergencies.
Use your Golden Moments to nourish yourself – mind, body, emotions and spirit. Stretch, walk gently, read a poem, listen to music, sketch, sing, dance, meditate, play or pray or sit under a tree and watch the clouds, stars or smell the air.
Eat 3 meals a day, and hydrate with water, lemon juice or tea.
Make sleep a priority.
If you still feel there is burnout to clear and you want your energy back:
Take advantage of limited spaces available and book a Free Discovery Session with me. There will be no pressure. Let’s see how I can help you to get back on track and be stress free.