Wednesday, May 24, 2017
Don’t Get Burned Out
Don’t Get Burned Out
Last week, we discussed workaholism. Now we shall tackle burning out.
Burnout can and does strike anyone – corporate go-getters, office workers, construction workers, homemakers, artists – anyone who’s under continuous pressure to perform or achieve.
Burnout isn’t something that hits out of the blue. Rather it’s a long, slow process arising from many factors. Some symptoms include:
- Loss of energy
- Weariness
- Self-doubt
- Reduced efficiency
- Apathy
Different people respond to burnout in different ways: by feeling guilty or irritable, denying anything’s wrong, blaming others, or working even harder. These responses are futile and will make your situation even worse.
Here’s what you can do to prevent burnout:
- Pay attention to any signals your body is sending. Insomnia, overeating, and other minor complaints may be signs of burnout.
- Ask yourself what you really expect to accomplish in your career or personal life. Are your expectations realistic? If not, reevaluate your goals and make sure they’re reachable.
- Mentally distance yourself from work.
- Treat yourself to something special from time to time. A pleasant break, a change of scenery, or a slight indulgence can reduce some of the resentment that often leads to burnout.
- Reduce work hours if possible. Take breaks. Learn to delegate some tasks - anything to prevent yourself from feeling like a galley slave.
- Learn meditation or practice other relaxation techniques to help you through stressful periods.
- Pursue some kind of physical activity. But be careful not to choose exercise that reinforces the feeling of hopelessness. If your job is highly competitive, you may have to avoid playing highly competitive sports.
Used with permission from A Year of Health Hints by Don R Powell, PHD and the American Institute for Preventive Medicine, copyright 2010. www.healthylife.com
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