Dealing with Burn Out
We’ve all felt it. Whether it be from our jobs, our relationships, or even our passions, burn out has this annoying way of creeping up on us. We overwork ourselves go the point where we just don’t want to do anything anymore. We don’t even want to deal with whatever is causing us to feel so empty; even the sight of the cause makes us feel a little sick.
But while we hear the term get thrown around, what is burn out?
According to Help Guide, burn out is a state of psychological, emotional, and physical exhaustion from being too stressed for too long. Signs of burn out include:
Being resentful towards your work/loved onesFeelings of cynicism, helplessness, and hopelessnessIncreased vulnerability to diseaseLoss of motivationIncreased detachmentWe know they burn out is bad. After all, millions of people suffer through it everyday. So the question is: how do we deal with burnout?
1. Take a Break
Sometimes the best way to deal with burn out is to stop working. This can involve asking your boss for a little break or a personal day off. And when you do, don’t have anything that reminds you of work; in fact, if you can, go somewhere where you’re not tempted to go back. This can help you take your mind off things and relax, if only for a little while.
2. Make Things More Interesting
Finding ways to make work or personal life more interesting is a good way to lessen the effects of burn out. For instance, if your job is causing you the most stress, try to change your routine at work. Ask your employer for other responsibilities you feel are more fulfilling or challenging. Greet coworkers, or bring in a favorite dish for lunch.
If the cause of your burn out is at home or school, see if you can implement new strategies to make home life more enjoyable. Come up with new games for you and your family and friends, or relax before going to sleep. Try seeing things in a new light, one that encourages positive thinking and action. Find new hobbies to explore, or new things to learn. It can give you something to look forward to everyday.
3. Spend Quality Time with Someone
Believe it or not, just talking with someone about the stresses of everyday can alleviate the effects of burn out. Connecting with others meaningfully can give us an opportunity to vent out our frustrations or concerns at work or home. Remember that these people are there for you, just as you are for them.
4. Prioritize Self-Care
Oftentimes, when we’re burnt out, it means we haven’t been taking care of ourselves as much as we should. When we consistently place other people and our responsibilities over our own needs, it devalues us as individuals. It leaves us with a heaviness that we can alleviate by putting our own needs first. This can mean relaxing when we should, sleeping when we should, and improving our own hygiene. Giving yourself time to heal and to make sure that you’re doing okay is essential for giving you back some of your passions.
If you’re having trouble prioritizing self-care, you could start by scheduling what you can and can’t do. Plan to take multiple breaks ahead so you can give yourself enough time to de-stress, as well as time to handle your responsibilities.
Conclusion
Burn out is caused by prolonged stress we place on ourselves, whether that be at work, at home, at school, or anywhere else. It dehumanizes us to the point where we’re feeling lost, hopeless, even depressed. However, taking that much needed break, making things more entertaining, spending time with loved ones and making our own health a priority can help alleviate the effects of burn out, even if it’s only a little. At the very least, it makes burn out more manageable, and hopefully, give us a chance to recover.
