Overcoming Burnout: An Inside Look at how to Manage Stress
In any situation, we may become overwhelmed, stressed and or burned out. There are different ways to handle such feelings.
What is Burnout?
Most of us at some point in our lives have experienced prolong periods of stress, brought upon by increased responsibilities at home or work, or both, but oftentimes we don’t recognize this as burnout. Most often we view stress as a normal aspect of our lives, without recognizing that stress can quickly move to burnout if it is left unchecked.
Psychology Today defines burnout as, “a state of physical mental, and emotional exhaustion brought on by extended and repeated stress. When you experience stress, along with physical, mental, and emotional exhaustion this will most likely translate into burnout.”
How Stress Shows Up
Stress can help us we when we need to quickly respond to situations that could be unsafe, such as avoiding a swerving vehicle or if we are engaging in a new exercise routine, so in reality stress, at times can be beneficial. However, everyone at some point will deal with stress, but prolonged stress can create negative impacts upon us and can result in burnout.
Ask yourself the question, how does stress show up in your body?
Stress can show up in the head, neck, shoulders, digestive system.
Stress can make it difficult to concentrate or respond effectively.
Stress can create physical or verbal aggression (short fuse in response to an issue).
Examples of Burnout
When stress is experienced for long periods of time, the results can be displayed in many ways that impact daily routines and lifestyle.
If you are consistently finding yourself dealing with anger and irritability over small incidental things (i.e., making the bed, talking with others, doing routine chores), this could be a sign that you are dealing with fatigue.
If you are battling increased feelings of worthlessness or ineffectiveness that seem to plague you on a consistent basis, you may be experiencing burnout.
Evaluating Burnout
How do you know if what you are experiencing is indeed burnout, and how do you take the necessary steps to evaluate it?
Examine:
Begin with evaluating your everyday routine, start with the small stuff and reflect upon those areas where you do not have support.
Create your own personal check list and identify those stressors that have you overwhelmed and overextended.
Are you managing the relationships around you or are they managing you and leaving you drained?
Do you have boundaries that are respected in your personal and professional life, or do you find it difficult to keep those boundaries?
Find ways through exercise, walking, meditation, prayer, to help reduce stress.
Seek professional therapy to help you understand and address your stressors.
Self-care is about making YOU a priority!
Article By:
Catherine Clements Jenkins, Health Advocate