Understanding and overcoming burnout
I know I’m burning out…..
… but I’ve been feeling like this for months, so what’s new?
… but my colleagues have it worse so I have nothing to complain about.
… but what is burn out really?
As someone who's worked with clients extensively on this topic and experienced it myself, let's dive into what burnout really means and discover practical ways to reclaim your well-being.
Burnout can be defined using three dimensions: exhaustion, cynicism, and inefficacy.
Exhaustion - feeling emotionally drained from your work, overextended and depleted i.e. struggling to find the energy to get out of bed to start work for the day
Cynicism - a detached response to your work i.e. the rose-tinted glasses are well and truly taken off
Inefficacy - feelings of incompetence of lack of achievement or fulfilment in your work i.e. feeling unable to complete your regular work tasks
Burnout can hit with one or all of these dimensions, impacting your overall mood.
High achievers are at particular risk. If you generally thrive on pushing through challenges, burnout is a sign that our bodies can't keep up. Ignoring our body's signals weakens the mind-body connection, making it hard to recognize exhaustion, tiredness, or even hunger cues.
Don't ignore the physical signs! The different ways that the body protests can include digestive issues croping up, making it hard to digest foods you used to enjoy. You might experience sudden acute pain, like a nagging lower back or tight shoulders and hips. And plenty other seemingly mysterious side-effects.
To tackle burnout head-on, consider teaming up with a therapist who can help you decode those signals and understand what they mean for your overall well-being. Together, you can explore the root causes of burnout and uncover practical ways to support your future self.