We’re all so busy it seems. Sometimes it’s hard to say “no” to work or social obligations without feeling like a jerk. But it’s important that we figure out when we’ve just taken on too much or simply need a bit of a reset.
While it’s not technically a medical condition, the American Psychological Association (APA) defines burnout as “physical, emotional or mental exhaustion, accompanied by decreased motivation, lowered performance and negative attitudes towards oneself and others.”
But burnout can look different for everyone. Following are some signs you may be at or approaching burnout.
Unexplained fatigue
Apathy/disinterest
Tension headaches
Changes in sleeping or eating habits
Feelings of sadness or overwhelm
Burnout can be a byproduct of work-life imbalance or simply an inability to say “no”. You may not realize you’re burned out until you’ve hit the wall and aren’t able to carry on with business as usual. Or maybe you’re just constantly in a state of busy-ness and lack the ability to recognize when you’ve taken on too much.
But if you’re feeling any of the above signs, chances are you’ve hit, or maybe gone past, the point of burnout. Here are some things you can do to hit the reset button and get back to being your best self.
1. Seek counseling.
2. Establish and follow a routine.
3. Take breaks.
4. Make exercise a priority.
5. Meditate.
6. Start a new hobby or pick an old one back up.
7. Enforce work-life balance boundaries.
Recognizing your boundaries and knowing when it’s time to take a step back for some me time is crucial to your mental health. Don’t be afraid to set those boundaries at work and at home. When you prioritize your own self-care, you will be better equipped to handle most things that come up, whether at work or home, and hopefully you’ll avoid burnout altogether. Check in with yourself on the regular to be sure that you’re not taking on too much and heading for a crash. And never be afraid or ashamed to ask for help.
About Revan Health
Revan Health provides welcoming, respectful family medicine for all from infants to geriatrics. We understand the pain and frustration that comes with not feeling heard by your family care provider. We believe access to respectful care is key to improving medicine adherence and overall life satisfaction for our patients. Like us on Facebook or visit us at revanhealth.com.