Burnout: What is it, and How Can You Prevent It?
Burnout is often used to describe extreme emotional, mental, and sometimes physical exhaustion. It’s typically brought on by constant stress, and it’s like your body and mind have just been pushed past the brink.
If you’re burned out, you find it almost impossible to do the things you’re used to doing. It causes lethargy, as well as cynicism and depression. Even if you can still work, you’re working robotically.
It can take weeks or months to recover from burnout, so it’s generally better to prevent it if you can.
What Causes Burnout
Burnout is caused by prolonged or repeated stress. Most of the time, burnout is associated with work, either because you have a particularly high-pressure or stressful job, or because you work very long hours. Burnout is common among people in the emergency medical field, for example. But you can be burned out from any job if you push yourself too far, kind of like the saying “burning the candle at both ends.” Eventually, the candle burns out.
You can also get burnout from other parts of your life that might expose you to regular stress. This includes caregiving, parenting, or even your love life. But because burnout is typically associated with work, we’ll focus on that.
The Importance of a Good Work-Life Balance
One of the most effective ways to prevent burnout is to maintain a healthy work-life balance. Humans need rest. We need physical rest and mental rest, and plenty of sleep is the best way to recover that.
Sleep is often the first thing to go when we’re busy, but reducing sleep hours too much can actually have a detrimental effect on our productivity. When you’re sleep deprived, your cognitive function and mood suffer, and you’re more likely to get overtired.
Make sure to schedule breaks into your day as well as your work, so you’re sure that you’re going to use them. Use productivity timers to keep you working and, as importantly, to tell you when to stop and take a break.
How Therapy Can Help
While burnout is often caused by physical exhaustion, it can also be a culmination of stress and anxiety. It’s a mental health issue as much as a physical one.
One way to relieve stress and anxiety is to talk about it. Therapy can give you a healthy outlet, and it can help you develop some coping mechanisms to deal with your stress. Some people don’t like to speak to therapists, perhaps because they’ve encountered therapist ethics violations before, and in this case, it’s important to find a healthy outlet. Speak to friends or family, and find a hobby that allows you to express or relieve some of your anxiety.
Recovering From Burnout
Burnout doesn’t just go away. You need to give your body and mind the rest they sorely need. Make sure to look after yourself, with sleep, healthy eating habits, and exercise. If possible, change the circumstances that are causing you so much stress.
