Understanding Burnout: Recognising the Signs and Symptoms
Are you tired of feeling burnt out? If so, I understand exactly how you feel. Burnout can creep up on us without us even realizing it. I used to push myself to the limit, thinking that being a high performer meant sacrificing my well-being. But after experiencing burnout not once, but twice, I knew something had to change. That’s when I asked myself a crucial question: Can I achieve my goals and dreams while still taking care of my health and sanity?
I invite you to join me on a holistic journey to prevent burnout and transform your mindset. Through this exploration, you’ll discover valuable strategies to elevate your energy and regain control of your life. Say goodbye to burnout and hello to a healthier, more balanced you.
What does burnout mean?
“(Burnout is) … an erosion of the soul caused by a deterioration of one’s values, dignity, spirit and will.” ( Christina Maslach)
Burnout is a result of chronic work stress affecting the emotional, physical, mental and spiritual self.
3 main symptoms of burnout by Christina Maslach
- Emotional and physical exhaustion – characterised by the shallow energy
“I’m not sure how much longer I can keep going like this.”
2. Depersonalisation – so-called “ “compassion fatigue” – you are emotionally unavailable for anyone, for example, your clients or workmates.
3. Decreased Personal and Professional Achievements / Lack of Efficacy – you question your work purpose
“What’s the use? My work doesn’t serve a purpose anyway.”
Research has shown that the lack of efficacy symptoms affects men less than women.
Burnout happens over time, and it is more a chronic condition. When you are in the burnout spiral and fail to recognise the symptoms ahead of time, it can crush you quickly when the additional trigger affects your personal or professional life.
What Causes Burnout?
1. Poor nutrition and lifestyle choices such as lack of exercise, poor sleep quality, lack of rest
2. Lack of emotional self-care
“You make energy deposits here by maintaining healthy relationships with the people you love – your friends and immediate family.
3. Loss of personal and professional purpose .
5 Ways to prevent burnout with the Holistic Performance Method?
1. Take action to improve your energy balance
Do you know about the concept of energy balance? If you’ve ever tried counting calories or following a restricted diet, you may have heard of it in the context of weight loss. The idea is to balance the calories you consume with the calories you burn to achieve desired results.
Moreover, various factors like work stress, unexpected life events, women’s health concerns, body image issues, career changes, relationship difficulties, pregnancy, financial constraints and managing family responsibilities can all have a negative impact on your energy balance.
As a result, you might not be able to maintain a positive balance by bringing in enough energy, burnout may eventually set in.
Consequently, try the following energy building practice:
Start with a 5-minute breathing exercise or a 15-minute walk in nature during your lunch break. This is a simple, effortless, and effective way to incorporate a holistic transformation routine.
2. Discover the transformative power of nutrition.
Nutrition is a forgotten gem that can unlock your physical, mental, and emotional wellbeing. Consider the profound impact a nourishing meal can have on female hormonal health.
Unfortunately, many executive, professional, and ambitious women neglect their eating habits. It’s no surprise, really. In the hustle and bustle of life, cooking and meal preparation often take a backseat.
But ask yourself, why does self-care take a backseat in your life?
Are you lacking love and compassion for yourself?
Imagine the possibilities if you brought more empathy, forgiveness, and self-care into your routine. Your work performance could skyrocket as your memory sharpens, those extra kilos melt away, and your confidence soars. With newfound energy, you’ll become an unstoppable force in both your personal and professional life.
The challenge lies in breaking free from old habits that no longer serve you. Just as you devote attention to your work, it’s time to prioritize yourself. The choice is yours.
Take the first step today and embark on a transformative journey with our foundational programs. Unlock a path to self-discovery and transform your health, life, and performance.
3. Nourish healthy lifestyle choices through education.
In a world flooded with countless messages on social media, it is crucial to take personal responsibility for discerning truth from falsehood. Empower yourself by no longer blindly trusting Instagram feeds, Facebook stories, or the narrow perspectives of health and fitness magazines.
Instead, make informed judgments and seek out health prevention providers who are eager to educate and offer the best resources. Your health choices have a direct impact on your actions, so strive to make the best decisions possible to avoid burnout.
4. Discover the stressors that drain your positive energy and take steps to minimize their impact.
Are you aware of the internal and external factors that weigh you down?
Perhaps it’s time to take stock of the stressors in your life that have the potential to burn you out. Is it your boss, coworker, partner, the food you consume, the alcohol you drink, or toxic relationships?
Or maybe it’s a combination of them all?
If you’re feeling drained and lacking motivation, consider these three techniques to boost your self-awareness of stressors.
TRY THIS:
1. Over the next 21 days, keep a journal – each evening, jot down what energized you and what drained you. When anxiety arises, pay close attention to where it manifests in your body – whether it’s in your chest, arms, or head. This can help you identify areas where stored energy may need to be released.
2. Try incorporating a Body Scan exercise into your routine.
3. Lastly, be mindful of the food choices you make, as stress and pressure often lead women to opt for simple carbohydrate-based meals.
5. Search for new and creative ways to regenerate your physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual energy.
I genuinely love this one!
Executive and driven women often forget about the female side of their persona.
The constant drive to achieve, fulfill, and support others, families responsabilities and friends commitments, imbalances the feminine self – the flow part, where we trust the process rather than keep actively working on it, till we feel tiered and exausted and lose of sense of self.
I understand deeply that the process of allowing and connecting the masculine and feminine is ongoing and does not come straight. However, once you catch the wind you will sail with more focus and sens of inner direction.
TIPS FOR YOU:
Dropping your attention into the creative part will help you balance between masculine energy that wishes to achieve and feminine energy that wishes to flow and create.
Think of bringing some creative activities into your daily wellness practice. What about painting, dancing, reading, photography, drawing, gardening, going to the spa and having an aromatherapy massage or acupuncture to restore the energy flow.
I hope those simple holistic tips will help you avoid burnout at work and in your personal life. You can also read more on the personal growth and how to embarce ultimate power of self-compassion to transform your life
Yours
Daria
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