How to Spot and Treat Burnout

In today’s fast-paced world, almost everyone is struggling to keep up. Constant time pressures and heavy workloads can take a toll on our health, physically and mentally. This persistent feeling of exhaustion is called burnout, and it’s not pretty. Even though the World Health Organization does not regard burnout as a medical condition, it can have devastating effects on our health. If left untreated, it can become so severe that mental health treatment programs may be the only way out.

Fortunately, a little guidance can go a long way to save you this trouble. Read on to discover the warning signs of burnout and how to treat it proactively:

How to Recognize Signs of Burnout

The first step in treating burnout is recognizing the warning signs early on. We have listed some of the most common symptoms of burnout to help you identify it:

• Constant exhaustion

One of the primary symptoms of burnout is the constant feeling of exhaustion. You feel drained of energy and generally incompetent in doing simple everyday tasks and chores. As a result, you may end up procrastinating or resorting to drugs and even alcohol abuse. These feelings and actions, in turn, undermine effective functioning and decline productivity levels within you.

• Detachment

Burnout also tends to lead people to feel detached and disengaged from work. You may lose interest in everyday tasks and often fantasize about escaping to a different world. If at work, burnout may cause you to come in late, leave early, or even skip work altogether.

• Isolation

Since constant pressures and workloads make people anxious, they become overwhelmed. If you are burnt out, you may lose interest in social interactions and become isolated instead. Moreover, you may experience a lack of motivation or energy to establish or maintain relationships, and everything may feel like a burden.

• Frustration

Feeling extremely exhausted and having so much to do can lead to extreme frustration and irritability. Everyday tasks seem unbearable to cope with, and this frustration leads to losing your cool with others around you. As a result, your relationships, work, and even your home suffer.

• Frequent Illnesses

Finally, burnout is stress which impacts your health greatly. You become more susceptible to fever, colds, flu, and even insomnia. Consequently, you may even suffer from anxiety and depression. This happens because burnout weakens your immune system, making you more likely to become ill.

How to Treat Burnout

Once you know that you have potential symptoms of burnout, it’s time to treat it. Here are several ways you can save yourself from burnout:

• Identify stressors

The first step to avoid burnout is identifying your potential stressors. For example, are you getting exhausted from monotonous work? Is handling children’s tantrums too much for you? Do you constantly feel pressure from a certain co-worker? Identifying incidents, people, and situations that trigger stress within you will help you deal with them effectively.

• Take breaks

Next, try taking breaks from such situations and stressors. For example, hire a babysitter or ask a family member to help out with the kids, take a few minutes breaks from work to unwind, or go on a vacation if you can. Taking breaks will help you relax and feel energized to take on the next challenge in your life.

• Exercise

Exercising is a great way to boost your physical energy and mental health. There is no need to spend hours at the gym. All you need to do is practice some 10 or 15 minute workouts that are readily available all over the internet. Make sure you make it a habit to exercise every day to reap maximum results.

• Eat healthily

Studies show that healthy diets can improve physical and emotional health. You can boost your mental and physical health by eating lots of fruits and vegetables. Foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids are especially helpful for boosting mental health. Having adequate amounts of nutrients and a balanced diet improves our mood and well-being too.

• Adequate sleep

We cannot stress enough the importance of a good night’s sleep. Adequate sleeping ensures that our body is well-rested to take on the challenges of another day. Therefore, wind up your tasks and make sure to get into bed at the same time, every day.

• Establish relationships

Finally, develop positive relationships at home and workplace. These relationships will support you, especially when you need to break out of a negative work cycle. They not only help you feel empowered but also provide learning opportunities and act as a general guide to help you feel renewed.

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