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Recovering from Burnout

burnout

Burnout. It happens to the best of us. With our busy schedules, hectic home lives, and the demands of being an adult in today’s world, it’s no wonder so many of us experience the symptoms like excess stress, depression and anxiety. Thankfully, though, there are steps you can take to relieve the symptoms of burnout, as well as prevent it in the future. Keep reading to find out more.

Recognizing the Symptoms of Burnout

Before you can treat burnout, you must first learn to recognize its symptoms. And while some of the signs may be obvious, others are more subtle, and are often attributed to other conditions. However, it’s important to address even the mildest symptoms, as burnout is often a cause of worsening depression and anxiety, and can even contribute to more serious illnesses and complications. For example, according to experts at hotelcaliforniabythesea.com, a recovery and rehabilitation center, it’s not uncommon for exhaustion and career burnout to play a role in the development of drug abuse and addiction.

Though the complications associated with burnout can be severe, they can be addressed and prevented by learning to identify the symptoms of this condition. In most cases, individuals suffering from burnout experience symptoms like the following:

  • Anxiety.
  • Depression.
  • Chronic fatigue.
  • Insomnia or other sleep disturbances.
  • Poor immunity.
  • Loss of appetite.
  • Poor concentration.
  • Loss of interest.
  • Poor performance, both at work and home.
  • Problems within relationships.
  • Mood swings.
  • Irritability.
  • The inability to enjoy life.
  • Apathy
  • Feelings of hopelessness.

Treating and Preventing Burnout

If you’re experiencing the symptoms of burnout, you may feel trapped in a cycle of stress and anxiety. After all, we can’t all just quit our jobs and go on permanent vacation. However, while stress is a part of life, you can help reduce its effects before it makes a huge impact on your life and relationships. Tips like the following can help reduce the stress and anxiety associated with burnout, as well as prevent a recurrence of burnout in the future.

  • Counseling. A trained professional can help with building coping strategies, reducing stress and enhancing overall health and quality of life.
  • Learn to say “No.” Making commitments when your plate is already full can lead to excess stress and worry. By knowing your limits and learning when to say no, the risk of burning out is lessened, considerably.
  • Take a break. While a week-long vacation may be impossible, you can take an hour or more each week relax and unwind. Use this time to explore your interests, to reconnect with loved ones, or simply to lie in bed watching movies.
  • Ask for help. Many of us see asking for help as a sign of weakness; however, by asking for help now, you’re preventing the need for more help in the future. Don’t be afraid to reach out and ask for help and support when you need it.
  • Exercise. Physical activity is a great stress-reliever. It also improves quality of sleep, helps treat and prevent depression, and generally enhances feelings of calm and well-being. Aim for 30 minutes per day, three or four days a week.
  • Pay attention to diet. When we’re overworked or over-stressed, we rarely pay attention to what we put into our bodies. In turn, eating unhealthy foods can lead to more fatigue, more illness and poorer function and performance. Avoid this by enjoying fresh meals with whole ingredients, and limiting carbs, sugars, trans fats and overly-processed foods.

Burnout is increasingly common, and can affect men and women of all ages, and from all different backgrounds. And though the complications associated with burnout can be severe in nature, the tips provided here will help you identify and address symptoms, as well as seek the support necessary in reducing stress and enhancing quality of life.

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