Burnout – What to Do about It (Part II to the earlier post)

In the earlier article titled Signs and Symptoms of Burnout, I explained fundamentally the Symptoms and Signs and how burnout can manifest itself.

I also mentioned that approaching burnout can actually be a very good thing. The body and mind (and spirit) are trying to tell us things; they’re teaching us about ourselves and our limits.

Learning to Listen To Your Body and Mind (and Spirit)

If you’re reading this, chances are you have more to learn about your limitations; and you know that’s okay.

The body and mind are set up with protection mechanisms to look after us, and these are engaged even if we don’t listen to them. Unfortunately, these protection mechanisms could involve conditions like, for instance, non-clinical[1] depression.

There are usually either or both, psychological and physiological processes and effects in burnout. We will suffer symptoms and signs physically, mentally, and emotionally. This can (and often does) cause a deadness in our spirit’s as well.

Deadness in spirit is manifest as a sense of hopelessness for the future; for instance, a direct link with non-clinical depression i.e. the feeling of being depressed.

The simple fact is, when we get symptoms and signs, and we don’t make changes effectively, the symptoms and signs may only get worse. It’s a time and an opportunity to learn by reacting and responding appropriately to the stimuli present in one’s life, to lessen the symptoms and signs of burnout and deal with the underlying causes.

What to Do? – Reacting and Responding

- Stop doing horrendously long days, cutting back on sleep and exercise and eating and drinking poorly.

- See your physician if you have concerns and need guidance.

- Make a pact with yourself to get disciplined with your diet. A simple ‘Dr. Phil’ diet will do. Weight loss alone can restore much of the lost hope.

- Drink more water and less coffee and alcohol.

- Keep things simple. Focus only on the most important things for a while, like family and your health.

- Exercise--simply do it. Go for a walk. If gym or cycling is your thing, then get back into it.

- Listen to some of your favourite music; relax.

- Go and watch a movie; escape in the positive sense.

- Write a list of the things you’d like to do over the next two (2) months and then methodically go and do them.

- Get eight (8) hours sleep per night. It might be hard, but persist.

- Foregoing the above, try to not change too much at a time. Stability is a key.

There are many, many more things we can do. If we spend some time brainstorming ideas, we’ll come up with your own innovative list.

Conclusion

Don’t mess with symptoms and signs of burnout. We ought to be thankful that the body and mind give us reminders of our limits.

We must learn to listen to and heed the symptoms and signs.

Life is not just about work, work, and more work. Restoring balance is the cherishable thing about life. Approaching burnout is a good thing because we’re coming face-to-face with our body’s and mind’s limitations.

It’s a learning process standing us in good stead for the future. At life’s core is the process of learning; it’s what life is all about.

Copyright © 2008, S. J. Wickham. All Rights Reserved Worldwide.

[1] Clinical depression is usually far more complex and insidious, and can last for several months to years, and often must be treated with medication.