What is burnout?
Burnout happens when the circumstances of our life no longer work
for us. We struggle on, missing or ignoring all the warning signs,
until our physical and emotional systems begin to fail. We are constantly
striving to get control, or return to normal and feel overwhelmed
at the task.
The ironic thing is in 'normal circumstances', we tend to be motivated,
committed, caring, conscientious and highly valued; we have energy,
enthusiasm and clarity. In burnout these qualities diminish and
sometimes evaporate entirely, leaving us confused, lethargic, exhausted,
irritated and unable to cope.
This is why burnt out people often see themselves as failing.
Burnout affects people at any age. It is quite common for people
to feel their outer circumstances, like school, family life or work
are to 'blame', whereas what matters more, is how we interact with
them.
The causes and effects are many
-
Have you lost heart but aren't quite ready to acknowledge
it?
-
Maybe you have changed but your circumstances haven't, or your
circumstances have changed and you haven't.
-
Perhaps you feel body, mind and soul are not quite together,
or are pulling in different directions.
Whatever the reason, the challenge of burnout is to recognise it
is not a random event.
It has something important to tell you.
Burnout needs to be listened to and honoured.
It could save your life.
Burnout signs and symptoms
Each of us is unique and so are they ways we respond to burnout.
The body gives way at its weakest point, emotions spill over at
their most vulnerable and we adopt unique ways of coping and types
of behaviour in an attempt to maintain normality.
Some of the commonest physical symptoms:
Some of the commonest emotional symptoms:
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Depression
-
Constantly stressed or worried
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Chronic anger
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Highly critical of self and others
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Cynicism
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Feeling trapped
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Feeling overwhelmed
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Panic attacks
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Emotional deadness
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Over-emotional
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Increasing isolation from loved ones or colleagues
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Increasing disinclination to carry on
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Loss of sense of humour
-
Loss of pleasure or joy in life
Some of the commonest behavioural changes
-
Denial. Keeping going and ignoring the concerns of loved ones
or colleagues
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Speeding up in an attempt to cope
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Slowing down in confusion as focus is lost
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Increasingly ineffective at performing familiar tasks
-
Working harder and harder and achieving less and less
-
Escapism in the form of addictive behaviour eg increased intake
of alcohol, food, drugs, or over-indulgence in sex, shopping,
TV watching, internet browsing
Try these Solutions - Start today with your own DIY
Programme - "Managing Your Burnout - 12 essential things
you need to know to stop burnout & 20 simple strategies to help
you overcome it"
Try a FREE introductory
one-to-one coaching session
Programmes for Individuals
Programmes for Organisations
See Products complemetary therapies
for stress reduction, to help restore your energy, balance your
emotions, re-establish sleep patterns; and to give you inspiration
and information.
What people say about burnout
The majority of clients say that life had somehow spun out of control
or that they found themselves compromised or undermined. The usual
coping strategies no longer worked. And in retrospect they saw burnout
as a means of survival - body and mind were left with no alternative
but to shut down
People say:
-
"I had ignored so many signals and walked by so many signposts,
that when I finally did get sick it was no surprise. I knew
I was running on empty but I just couldn't stop."
-
"When I look back I can see my life was mad. I was on
a treadmill and couldn't get off...it wasn't even a treadmill
I'd chosen, it had crept up on me. Before I burnt out I'd begun
to feel very bitter and resentful about it."
-
"It was as if I needed someone or something to give me
permission to stop. I couldn't give that to myself…my body
and mind eventually did it for me"
-
"I was locked into my sense of 'duty' making sure everyone
else was OK constantly over-riding my own exhaustion. Basically
I didn't have any life outside of work"
-
"It was as if my body, mind, heart and soul were saying:
'Stop. Wait. Listen. We need to re-think how we are living.'"
-
"I was in a highly responsible position and convinced
if I cracked everything would fall apart. I was shocked when
I discovered it didn't. I'd put all that effort in thinking
it was the only way. Even worse, nobody thanked me."
Does this sound like you?
Try these Solutions - Start today with your own DIY
Programme - "Managing Your Burnout - 12 essential things
you need to know to stop burnout & 20 simple strategies to help
you overcome it"
Try a FREE introductory
one-to-one coaching session
Programmes for Individuals
Programmes for Organisations
See Products complemetary therapies
for stress reduction, to help restore your energy, balance your
emotions, re-establish sleep patterns; and to give you inspiration
and information.
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