The world spins fast, and you need to move faster to keep up. In the race of everyday life, it is only normal for people to burn out. A large number of people now feel burned out because they are overwhelmed with their lives and all the things happening around them. In this article, we will learn what burnout is and how you can prevent it.
What Is Burnout And How Can It Affect You?
Burnout is when your body and brain are in a state of total exhaustion. This is when the whole body has reached its optimal activity levels and is under great stress. This stress lasts for a long time and causes the body to burn out.
There can be several reasons for burnout, such as jobs, emotional relationships and prolonged illnesses. Any stimuli that brings you stress will leave you burnt out. When you’re in a state of burnout, your mind and body go through changes, such as a lack of motivation. It can also drain your energy and make you feel lethargic. Besides affecting your body, burnout will also affect your productivity and day-to-day life. According to a nationally representative survey, 60% of teachers say that they experience job related stress. This can significantly affect their performance as teachers and even harm their personal lives.
Burnout can affect your life all over, and if you do not get ahead of it, it can have consequences on your life and the lives of those around you.
Have You Been Moving Towards Burnout?
Certain jobs can be very demanding and leave people with severe burnout. For example, teachers and nurses suffer a great deal because of their tough schedules and are more prone to burning out as compared to others. According to a 2020 survey, 62% of nurses experience burnout; similarly, K-12 teachers have the highest burnout rate in the U.S.
These statistics are very alarming and raise questions about how many people are affected by burnout on a daily basis. If you feel that your job is affecting your mental and physical health, then you may be experiencing burnout.
Here are some symptoms you need to look out for:
- Tiredness
- Feelings of Helplessness
- Isolation or feelings of being trapped in solitude
- Pessimism on different aspects of life
- Doubting yourself
- Chronic procrastination or doing things half-heartedly
- Overwhelming feelings
- Losing control or feeling out of control
- Lack of interest in daily activities
- Changing behaviors and response toward responsibilities
How Can You Prevent Burnout?
Burnout can be very harmful in the long run, and it is important for you to prevent it as much as you can. Here are some ways to limit burnout symptoms and stop it from taking over your life.
Balance Work And Personal Life
One of the biggest reasons for burnout is not being able to have a healthy balance between personal life and work. People who tend to put their work above their personal lives end up neglecting their personal life and relationships to complete exhaustion.
You may want to achieve goals, make a good impression, or make more money. While these goals are positive, you should make realistic choices and don’t go after them at the expense of your mental and physical health. 95% of nurses have reported symptoms of burnout in the last three years. As the number is alarmingly high, it is very important for nurses and other professionals to be careful about their work-life balance.
Invest In Self Care
How can your mind and body work to its full potential if you do not take good care of it? This is why you must invest your time and money in caring for yourself. For instance, pay attention to your diet and any health conditions you might have.
Cut down on junk food and try eating more whole foods. Whole foods are not processed and add great nutritional value to your meals. Consume a lot more fruits, vegetables, and nuts. It’s a good idea to cook your own meals rather than consume junk/processed food or takeout that has a lot of additives. Other than that, keep your hydration levels high so your body is active and healthy.
Self Care can also mean taking some time off. When you take some time off to shake up your mundane routine, you can invest it in yourself. During the time off, do all the things that bring you pleasure. For example, if you do not get enough time to read in your daily life, then during your time off, you can read for pleasure or spend time in anydoing a hobby you like.
Bottom Line
Burnout can have adverse effects on your life, and if not taken seriously, it may prevent you from living a healthy and long life. Nova Vita Wellness Centers can help you connect with an expert so you can get the proper treatment you need and better your life. In order to take care of others, you have to remember to and prioritize taking care of yourself. As they put so eloquently on airplanes, “Put your oxygen mask on first before assisting others around you.”
