Fighting Burnout
Posted February 10th, 2014
Most people are familiar with the term burnout. It denotes a weariness or general fatigue, the feeling that you just can’t go on anymore. It is something that affects you not just emotionally, but physically and mentally as well.
You just don’t feel motivated or energized to do anything, and even the most mundane tasks seem like they’re too much to handle. Many of us have experienced burnout to some extent; a few even to the point where they may need medical attention.
Health experts have assigned a number of symptoms to burnout, which include a feeling of exhaustion, not being motivated to do anything, problems dealing with others, problems focusing and thinking, a general feeling of depression, and health problems.
It’s important to recognize if you are experiencing any of these problems so that you can take action before they become serious issues. What can you do if you are experiencing some of these problems?
The first thing is to make sure you are getting enough sleep at night, especially if you are feeling fatigued. Current research has shown that most adults need at least seven hours of sleep at night. Not getting enough rest is just the same as working drunk, according to researchers. You should set up a regular sleep schedule.
If you have conflicts or other issues at home or work, you need to address them promptly. They won’t go away by themselves. In fact, if you ignore them, they are most likely to get worse. Plus, they will always be on your mind, which is another thing that will sap you of energy.
Set limits to the various areas of your life. When you are finished with work, don’t take it home with you – don’t continue to think about or fret over work issues when you are not on the clock. Also, learn how to refuse requests from other people if they begin to become unmanageable.
Take care of yourself. This ties in with getting enough sleep, but also includes getting enough exercise and eating right, along with taking time to relax and recuperate. Research has shown the increasing importance of exercise to all aspects of life. It is beneficial in so many areas – delaying the onset of disease, reducing stress, increasing energy and positive attitude, enhancing focus, and retaining cognitive ability.
Finally, work to regain the passion you had in your work. Think about what you really want to accomplish with your career, and what you need to do to get there. Should you look for work elsewhere? Ask for more responsibilities at your current job? Look for a mentor? Whatever will help you regain the enthusiasm toward your job will go a long way toward improving your attitude and quality of life and fighting burnout.
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