Burnout: The Truth About Getting Back to Your Best
By Genevieve Cunningham
Everyone experiences it, and yet it doesn't get talked about much. Whether it's shame, fear, or simply not recognizing it for what it is, we tend to glaze over this common problem like it doesn't exist at all. What is it? Burnout. We all feel burnout at some point and for a variety of reasons. Sometimes it's work, other times it's family. But no matter what's causing it, the truth remains: We're sick of our current situation and we're ready for change. But what can we do? How do we deal with burnout and start feeling like ourselves again? If you need some guidance through a tough time in your life, take a look at the many sides of burnout and what you can do to feel better.
Signs of Burnout
How can you be sure that you're experiencing burnout rather than something else? You really just have to pay attention and weigh your symptoms. A person experiencing burnout may feel fatigued, irritable, and even suffer from aches and pains. Or if it goes on long enough, you may become incredibly numb or indifferent about something you used to be passionate about. You will undoubtedly feel these symptoms most heavily when you're near the trigger -- work, a particular person, a relationship. If you're feeling truly negative and it's not letting up, true burnout may be to blame.
How to Cope
So how do we deal with burnout once it hits? It can be difficult and it will take some work, but it can be done. A few tips that might help include:
Re-evaluate - Sometimes burnout means we need to re-evaluate our actions. Do we still want to participate in the action? If not, it might be time to make changes in your life.
Take time - Burnout almost always means that you need time away from the activity or person. Take some time for yourself. Do something that relaxes and calms you. When you're ready, get back to it and see how you feel.
Make Changes - Sometimes we need big changes -- like a new job. But other times, we just need to change our routines a little bit. Make sure your routine is healthy and soothing, and if it's not, change it up until you feel better about your situation.
How to Prevent Burnout
While it's a good idea to deal with burnout as it arises, it's an even better idea to prevent it in the first place. But how? We can prevent burnout by setting boundaries, managing our time, avoiding negative people and situations, and following our own intuition. If we work to prevent burnout, we can avoid the negative and frustrating situations that arise with it.
If you're feeling burnout, don't stress. It happens to most people, and it's OK! Take a deep breath and make a plan. With some planning, some action, and a willingness to change, you can manage burnout and get back to feeling your best at work, home, and in life in general.
To learn more about your health, wellness, and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Nashville, Tenn.