While taking rest is important now during the holiday season, we shouldn't forget that it is an essential part of everyday life and work generally. We tend to focus on workload so much that we forget to check in with ourselves and give the body the essential rest, both mental and physical.
Tiredness is a common experience that can be relieved by sleep, but persistent and unexplained exhaustion is something that could zap the joy out of your career, friendships, and family interactions. The term “burnout” was coined in the 1970s by the American psychologist Herbert Freudenberger. He used it to describe the consequences of severe stress and high ideals in “helping” professions. Nowadays, the term applies to anyone who is experiencing the feeling of depletion like business executives or busy parents. Much worse than ordinary fatigue, burnout makes it challenging for people to cope with stress and handle day-to-day responsibilities.
What are the signs you should look out for and how to prevent it from happening over and over again?
Here are some signs that you or someone is struggling with exhaustion:
You feel physically and emotionally depleted
You are more than stressed out
You can’t focus on any task
You are susceptible to illnesses
You are not able to nurture your relationships
Everything irritates you
Unlike flu, burnout signs don't hit all at once, so it might be hard to notice the symptoms and take action. You can’t completely avoid stress, but what you could do is to learn to notice the above signs and try to prevent them from happening. HelpGuide suggests the ‘3 R approach’ of dealing with burnout:
Recognize. Watch for the warning signs of burnout.
Reverse. Undo the damage by seeking support and managing stress.
Resilience. Build your resilience to stress by taking care of your physical and emotional health.
Taking good care of yourself is essential to achieving wellness. During stressful times check in with yourself and try to take action. Explore relaxing activities such as yoga, get outside, make a nice meal or maybe do nothing in particular!
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