Signs You Are Experiencing Burnout and How To Recover

Have you ever felt like you were on fire? - you were killing it at work, successfully juggling 40 million responsibilities, and even getting that work out in at the end of it all. A state of complete burnout is the opposite of that.  According to Psychology Today, a state of burnout is defined as an “emotional, mental, and often physical exhaustion brought on by prolonged or repeated stress” usually due to work but can result from other responsibilities. Research also reveals that burnout usually makes its appearance when you are experiencing a lack of control in your job or in another life circumstance such as taking care of a sick parent. This lack of control is not allowing you to resolve issues or to make the situation better – leaving you in a sense of hopelessness. Feeling stuck in such condition, overtime, can lead you to a state of complete burnout. Burnout isn’t just tiredness; it is extreme exhaustion to the point that you begin to not act like yourself – your work productivity, relationships, and overall quality of life all begin to significantly struggle. Some people have reported that experiencing burnout also affected their physical health such as high blood pressure and gastrointestinal problems. Below I am sharing ways that you can recover from burnout and feel hope again.

1. Talk to the person in control of the situation - if you are experiencing burnout at work, set up a meeting with the person over you or an HR. Explain to them why you feel a lack of control and therefore hopeless in your work situation. Bring up ideas on how this issue can be resolved. On the other hand, if the burnout is stemming from a family circumstance such as being a caretaker for your sick parent; consider sitting down and communicating with them about your concerns. Also, seek help from people you trust who can help your bear the burden (ex: many churches love starting meal trains).

2. Consider your options - some circumstances leave you feeling completely powerless to make a change. In such conditions, consider your options or what you are in control of. For example, if you have felt burnout from a career path you chose for yourself ten years ago as a college student – think about going back to school for something that ignites your passion. Are you an introvert who feels exhausted from working in a group setting? Consider going off on your own and starting your own business.

3. Say no to plans and yes to sleep – one of the best things you can do for your body, brain, and health is to get the proper amount of sleep. After a day full of what is causing your burnout, maybe all you feel like doing is vegging out on a couch instead of hitting the bed right away. In order to feel rejuvenated in the morning, proper sleep can be just the thing to energize you and get you feeling rejuvenated. Sometimes a lack of sleep can cause us to feel foggy, less creative, less productive, and grouchy.  

4. Take breaks or a vacation – research reveals that employees who take small breaks throughout their work day tend to be more productive and motivated to do their job in the long run. Whether it’s setting aside 5-minute deep breathing breaks throughout your day or a vacation to the beach, either one will lead to a state of restoring yourself from burnout.

In conclusion, consider everything in nature. A bear hibernates during winter, flowers stop blooming in late fall, and so on. Everything in nature that is living takes time to be still and rest. We live in a society that praises overtime and an overly packed schedule and it is easy to say to rest until your body catches up with you. If you are feeling like you are well on your way to burnout or you are already there talking to someone who has some control over your situation, consider your options, choose sleep over plans, and take a break!

If you have any other tips on how to recover from burnout, fire them off in the comments. We look forward to hearing from you.  If you would like to find support or connect with a therapist connect with our team at www.compasscounseling.com.  If you would like to schedule an appointment today click here!

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Here’s the truth, you are overwhelmed, stuck, and know something has got to change, but asking for help is hard. Most people think that their problems are not big enough for counseling and wait 8 years or more to reach out for help. At Compass Counseling we know that we all have mental health and you want to feel good about yourself and your relationships.  Over the past 8 years, we have crafted an excellent team of professionals that have served thousands of people in Western KY and we want to help you on your path to change.  Our Master's level therapists will support you and teach you skills to learn to manage the overwhelm and overcome your struggle. When you leave your first session, you will feel confident & ready to start on your path of change. Connect with us today at www.compasscouseling.com or schedule an appointment.