Recognizing The Signs Of Burnout
“Burnout is not the price we have to pay for success.” — Arianna Huffington.
Imagine this scenario: It’s the start of a new week, and your alarm jolts you awake, signaling another round of tasks and deadlines to meet. But instead of feeling ready to tackle the day, you’re hit with a wave of exhaustion that seems to seep into your bones. This battle with burnout is not unique to you. A Deloitte survey revealed that 77% of employees experience burnout at some point. Burnout is not just a rough day; it’s a chronic state marked by emotional exhaustion, detachment, and ineffectiveness. Its far-reaching effects impact your physical health, mental well-being, work performance, and relationships. However, there is a glimmer of hope. Recognizing the signs of burnout is a crucial first step toward recovery. It’s a journey that can lead you back to a life filled with energy, purpose, and sharp focus. So, let’s explore practical strategies to conquer and overcome burnout for good.
Let’s start by examining the emotional signs of burnout. They often manifest as irritability, apathy, and feeling overwhelmed. Physical symptoms like fatigue, headaches, and changes in sleep patterns can accompany these emotional aspects. Behavioral symptoms linked to burnout include social withdrawal, neglecting responsibilities, and increased cynicism. As you read through these symptoms, see if any resonate with you. Remember, this is a space for self-reflection, free from judgment. Alongside recognizing the signs of burnout, there are self-assessment tools available to help you gauge your burnout level. One such tool I often recommend to my coaching clients is a self-assessment test consisting of fifteen questions. Its purpose is to assist, not to judge, so feel free to use it at your own pace and comfort.
Practical Strategies For Overcoming Burnout
“You have to decide what your highest priorities are and have the courage—pleasantly, smilingly, unapologetically—to say ‘no’ to other things. And the way you do that is by having a bigger ‘yes’ burning inside.” — Stephen Covey.
Practical strategies to reclaim your energy if you’re dealing with burnout include:
- Mindfulness meditation
- Deep breathing exercises
- Progressive muscle relaxation
- Gratitude practice
- Physical activity
- Social support
These practices can help you switch from a stress response to calm and relaxed. Think of the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems as two team members working to control your body’s responses, much like a car’s gas and brake pedals. The sympathetic nervous system is like the gas pedal. When faced with a stressful situation, it revs up your body, preparing you for a ‘fight or flight.’ Your heart rate increases, your pupils dilate, and energy is mobilized so you can respond quickly to danger. On the other hand, the parasympathetic nervous system is like the brake pedal. It helps your body to ‘rest and digest.’ After the danger has passed, it slows down the heart rate, decreases blood pressure, and stimulates digestion, allowing your body to relax and recuperate. Together, these systems maintain balance in your body, ensuring you have the energy to react when needed and the ability to relax and conserve energy when the threat is gone.
Chronic stress associated with burnout can lead to a prolonged sympathetic nervous system activation, exceeding the body’s ability to recover adequately. This can manifest as fatigue, decreased motivation, and diminished emotional resilience, all symptoms of burnout. Overcoming burnout requires learning to prioritize tasks, setting realistic goals, and utilizing time management tools to reduce your workload. Similarly, setting boundaries at work and in your personal life is vital to protect your energy and well-being. Consider the following examples of how to set healthy boundaries. Instead of saying yes to demands for your time in your workplace, you could learn to set limits on what you’re willing to undertake. This might involve negotiating with your work colleagues or employer on how much work you take on. It might include seeking clarification on deadlines and expectations people have of you.
I hope you find these suggestions helpful so far. Burnout is a way to make ourselves a priority so we bring more of ourselves to the task at hand instead of feeling overwhelmed. I liken it to the message that flight attendants announce at the beginning of a plane flight. The message advises passengers to wear oxygen masks before helping others in an emergency. This ensures everyone can breathe and be capable of assisting others. The same message is advocated here: attend to your well-being first before taking on tasks that may lead to burnout later.
Similarly, it’s essential to be mindful of sleep quality to recover from burnout. Exhaustion can often lead to adrenal fatigue, thereby shutting down the body. A critical component of recovering from burnout is quality sleep. This involves practicing good sleep hygiene via a regular sleep schedule. Moreover, create a relaxing bedtime routine and optimize your sleep environment. Many apps and books can help you better understand how to manage your sleep patterns for recovery. One resource I recommend is Prof Matthew Walker, who holds a degree in neuroscience and psychology. Prof Walker has written a bestselling book titled Why We Sleep: Unlocking the Power of Sleep and Dreams, which I encourage you to read if this is an area you want to learn more about.
Other practical considerations for recovering from burnout and boosting energy levels include eating a balanced diet, regular exercise, and staying hydrated. Usually, during the burnout cycle, the body releases cortisol, a stress hormone that can impact the foods we eat. People experiencing burnout will consume sugary and junk foods to satisfy their caloric needs, which may lead to further health issues. Therefore, consuming a balanced diet of whole foods, vegetables, and proteins can help you manage burnout so your body can recover.
Burnout can also lead to mental fatigue and exhaustion. One of the symptoms experienced is brain fog. This is when your mind feels wrapped in a thick cloud, making it hard to think clearly. It makes concentrating more challenging, and your thoughts feel sluggish and fuzzy, like trying to see through a fogged-up window. It can make you forgetful, less focused, and mentally tired as if your brain is running in slow motion. Is this something you’ve experienced? If so, how do you deal with it, and does it impact your quality of life? We encounter many distractions in our personal and professional lives that can significantly impact our ability to focus. This is where our attention gets pulled in different directions by matters that may or may not be necessary. They include emails, meetings, deadlines, and personal family matters. You may even consider undertaking a digital detox to minimize distractions. Some people go off social media altogether, but it can be simpler than that. For instance, I turn off all notifications on my devices and social media accounts and check them once a day. Therefore, see if you can find ways to help manage your time on digital devices so they don’t contribute to burnout.
You may consider undertaking focused techniques, such as the Pomodoro technique, which involves timed work intervals, or the Eisenhower matrix, based on task prioritization. Similarly, creating a focused work environment that is clear of clutter and distractions is essential. This might involve having a designated workspace that minimizes distraction and promotes concentration. An uncluttered workspace is a valuable way to remove excessive stimuli from your immediate environment.
Maintaining Progress And Preventing Relapse
“It’s not the load that breaks you down, it’s the way you carry it.” — Lou Holtz.
Throughout this article, we’ve discussed numerous strategies to beat burnout based on reclaiming your energy and resharpening your focus. It would be remiss of me not to mention how to maintain progress and prevent relapse. It is important to practice self-compassion while going through the process of recovery. This includes being kind to yourself and avoiding self-blame. Remember that recovery is a journey and facing challenges is natural. So, be gentle with yourself and give yourself the encouragement you need to keep moving forward. Sometimes, burnout can be a hidden blessing by revealing energy drains in your life, allowing you to focus on what truly matters. Burnout can frequently lead to building resilience to prevent future burnout episodes. You develop a positive support system and practice self-care so you don’t relapse in the future. It helps you become aware of the warning signs of burnout relapse and have a plan of action to address them so you don’t slip back into your old patterns.
You’ve taken a significant step towards overcoming burnout by recognizing its signs and understanding the practical strategies to combat it. Remember, this is a journey, not a destination. Be patient with yourself and celebrate small wins. If you’re seeking additional support, consider seeking professional help from a therapist or counselor. There are also many online resources and communities dedicated to burnout recovery. Finally, don’t forget the power of self-compassion. Be kind to yourself throughout this process, and don’t be afraid to ask for help when you need it. By taking action and prioritizing your well-being, you can reclaim your energy, sharpen your focus, and build resilience to prevent future burnout episodes.
Are You Ready to Transform Your Life with Confidence?
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Tony Fahkry
Expert Life Coach
