How to identify and prevent burnout

What is burnout?

Put simply… burnout is a state of physical, mental and emotional exhaustion.

This 1 minute video is how I explain burnout to my clients 

Short-term stress can be a good thing, but chronic stress is bad

Burnout usually happens when we’ve been under (dis)stress for too long. This is the usual pathway:

THE ROAD TO BURNOUT

Cortisol, a chemical messenger from the endocrine system, is supposed to help return our body to homeostasis after a stressful event has passed.  However, under long-term stress, cortisol is still being released and this has a pro-inflammatory effect on the body.  And inflammation causes depression. 

READ MORE about the link between chronic stress, inflammation and depression and what you can do about it. 

The physical signs and symptoms of burnout

Whilst you’re in that middle stage of chronic stress, the physical symptoms of burnout may be very similar to those of anxiety or being in a heightened nervous system state:

• Insomnia
• Shallow breathing/shortness of breath
• Nausea/churning tummy
• Sensation of pressure in your chest
• Headache
• Heart palpitations

(Please always get your physical symptoms checked out by a medical practitioner. You won’t be wasting their time. They’d much rather you check it out than miss something important that can be fixed).

And once you’ve used up all your energy and fallen off the cliff into zero energy phase:

• No energy. Total depletion.
• Feeling run down
• Heaviness in your body
• Feeling numb or passive
• Feeling shut down, disconnected
• Taking less care of your appearance.

The emotional/mental symptoms of burnout

• Wanting to withdraw from friends, family and the world (even if you’re normally an extrovert)
• Feeling overwhelmed
• Difficulty making decisions
• Feeling helpless
• Feeling like you are a failure
• Doubting yourself. Having no confidence in yourself and your abilities
• No motivation (even to do stuff you used to love)
• Feeling negative and cynical
• Racing thoughts
• Feeling irritable and defensive.

So how can you prevent burnout?

Look out for the signs and symptoms of burnout and take a break

When you recognise you are exhibiting some of the signs and symptoms of burnout it’s time to take action.

I’m still someone who likes to work really hard. I find meaning and fulfillment from working and helping people. BUT I also now recognise when I need to take a break.  I know the signs and symptoms to look out for. I know when to take my foot off the accelerator.

I schedule in my holidays before I open up my calendar to clients. Fit your own oxygen mask first!

My top 10 tips to recover from burnout

This post is getting way too long, so hop on over to the next page to read My top 10 tips to recover from burnout.

1. My top 10 tips to recover from burnout
2. The link between chronic stress and depression (and what to do about it)
3. The seven types of rest we all need
4. Deep sleep reduces anxiety
5. Why I get you to move and breathe in your session.

Until next time, take care!