Are You Suffering From Burnout?
By Randi Morse
Some people are very fortunate and have jobs they absolutely love. Others are less fortunate and are simply happy to have a job they can tolerate. Regardless of whether you are in a position you love, or simply tolerate, it's very likely that you will eventually deal with burnout.
What Is Burnout?
Burnout is defined as a state of physical and emotional exhaustion. It occurs when your body and mind have been going through an extreme amount of stress. This can be either an intense amount of stress experienced in a very short time, or a low-level amount of stress experienced over a long period of time.
Burnout Symptoms
How do you know if you are experiencing burnout? This is actually a great question, as many of us are so used to dealing with stress and burnout that we don't even realize we are experiencing it. Some of the physical signs of burnout include:
- Insomnia
- Difficulty concentrating
- Chronic fatigue
- Appetite issues
- Depression
- Chest pain/heart palpitations
- Gastrointestinal issues
- Headaches
- Anxiety
- Anger
Dealing With Burnout
If you look at the list above and realize that you have a number of the symptoms, it's very likely that you are dealing with burnout. Contrary to what many of us have been raised to believe, it's not normal to deal with insomnia or difficulty concentrating or chronic fatigue on a regular basis. So how do you combat burnout?
Taking some time away just for you is often very helpful for someone who was in the middle of a burnout. Schedule a week or two away from your work, but think twice before you make any traveling plans. Traveling away from home can be just as stressful as dealing with work, there are a lot of things to plan, things to worry about, and things to pay for. Instead of taking a trip during your vacation, plan a staycation. With a staycation you can relax at home and give your body, and mind, a chance to detoxify from your work environment. This doesn't mean that you have to stay inside your house for two weeks. Plan some small day trips, be a tourist in your own state. You may even want to plan one evening away, spending the night at a small inn or bed and breakfast. The most important thing of your staycation is to completely disconnect from work. Set an automated response on your e-mails and, if necessary, turn off your phone. Getting a little break from your job will help you to push back the burnout so that you can get back to your job feeling fresh and ready to conquer whatever comes your way.
To learn more about your health, wellness and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Tampa, Fla.