How to Overcome Burnout

In today’s fast paced society with economical insecurities, job, and life style pressures there appears to be many people that are experiencing burnout. Many are striving to hang on to jobs that have become mundane and stressful. Others are without jobs at all. Boomers are finding themselves postponing their retirement because they lack the funds necessary to retire. Some boomers are dealing with elderly parents, struggling to help their grown children, working long hours, and using all the energy that they can find to just stay afloat. Many single boomers are faced with trying to survive on one income and some have taken second jobs in order to live. The pressure is high and very stressful. At an age where boomers should be slowing down, they now find themselves having to speed up in order to deal with life. Many do not even realize that they are experiencing burnout.

Burnout is a state of emotional, mental and physical exhaustion caused by excessive and prolonged stress. It saps energy and can lead to health problems. Stress is pressure which can be relieved after getting things under control but burn out is different. Burnout can be caused by the following.

• Life style changes
• Expecting to do to much
• Taking on to much responsibility
• Not enough sleep
• Lack of close supportive relationships

When a person is feeling burnout they may feel hopelessness, empty, beyond caring, and lack motivation. They may feel bored, overloaded, unappreciated and have thoughts of wondering if what they do even makes a difference. They may experience doubt and wonder if their will ever be positive changes in their lives. Even when people love what they do they can still experience burn out. Burn out is prominent in health care professionals, stay at home moms, students, social workers, athletes, lawyers, bloggers, ministers, high achievers, perfectionists and those in helping professions.

There is HOPE! Here is a list of things that will help to cope with burnout and rise above.

1. Start each day with a relaxing ritual. Read the Bible or something inspiring before jumping into your normal morning routine. Take time to meditate. Write and focus on a positive thought.
2. Allow your muscles to relax. Perform stretching exercises. Listen to pleasant relaxing music. Take time to pamper yourself. You are worth it.
3. Learn to say no. Set boundaries. Don’t overwhelm yourself. Learn to pace yourself. Know that you are special and treat yourself that way.
4. Nourish your creative side. Try something new or fun. Perform at least one activity that has nothing to do with work. You are important.
5. Learn to manage stress. There are many books and articles to read on this subject.
6. Slow down. Rome was not built in a day. Do not isolate. Surround yourself with kind, understanding, caring people. Share your feelings with a trusted person.

Look at your goals. Are they realistic? Are you neglecting something that is important to you and makes you happy?

8. Take a break!  Turn off the computer, turn off the television, ignore the phone, stop texting, and let yourself enjoy the quiet.  Smell the fresh air.  Listen to the birds sing.  Look at nature.  Play!  Sing at the top of your lungs if you want to do that.  Who cares how it sounds.  Close off the bedroom.  Run around naked if you like.  Feel Free!

Know that you are loved and show it by loving yourself!  You are special and you deserve a good life!

Books for Reading

The Road Less Traveled by Scott Perk. The Power of Now by Eckhart Tolle, Joy of Burnout by Dr. Dina Glouberman,Burn Out by Marcia Mueller,

Originally posted 2011-02-23 10:02:25.