How to Deal with Burnout
By Sara Butler
Burnout can be sneaky. One moment you’re just gliding along thinking everything is great and before you know it, you feel like you just can’t do it. The early signs of burnout are subtle. In the beginning, it may just be something as simple as a stiff neck or shoulders. You may start to get headaches and then all of the sudden it seems like you’re starting to resent what you’re doing. It only gets worse from there. Here are some practical ways you can deal with burnout when you feel it approaching.
Signs of Burnout
Burnout can be a different experience for different people but, in general, you may feel:
- Irritable
- Fatigued
- Headachy
- Sensory sensitivity
- Numb or disconnected
- Lacking in energy
- Bored
- Lacking enthusiasm
It may also take you longer to complete tasks; you may find yourself lashing out at people and even view fun tasks as just another thing you have to get done. Basically, when your emotional and physical gas tank is empty, you’ll experience burnout.
Take Signals Seriously
You may beat yourself up for the emotions you’re experiencing, feeling as if you’re just “done” with certain things in your life as if it’s some kind of moral failing. The truth is that all of the things you’re experiencing are your body’s way of telling you to take a break and slow down. Take your body signals seriously when you’re feeling this way.
If you refuse to acknowledge your body’s signals, then you risk a negative impact on your health and wellness. Your body may be flooded with stress hormones that make it more difficult to focus and remember things you need to. It’s like being in a physical state of constant flight and after a while, you’ll just drop.
Say No to New Things
When you have the sense that you’ve got too much on your plate, don’t take on new projects! If you can’t take a break from your everyday work that is driving you to the brink, then adding more stress onto your plate isn’t going to help.
Taking care of yourself has to be your number one priority, so take burnout seriously and take steps to lessen your burden. These steps will help but if you ever feel really overwhelmed, make sure you talk to someone about it who can help.
To learn more about your health and wellness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Durham, N.C.