Burnout

Some symptoms of burnout can include:

• Mood swings that include irritability, anger, sadness, difficulty concentrating, detachment from others

• Shutting down, low motivation, withdrawal from social circles, your get up and go has got up and went

• Physical symptoms such as hypertension, back problems, headaches, gastrointestinal problems, shortness of breath, inability to sleep or relax, decreased immunity, loss of appetite

• Feeling empty, hopeless, anxious

Burnout is not evidence that we are hard workers or that we are committed to excellence. To the contrary, it's a sign that something is going wrong at work, or perhaps how we interact with people or situations needs re-thinking. Yes, sometimes we simply need to make more time for rest, but even the inability to rest enough can be a sign that we need to realign our goals, values, and practices.

Burnout is evidence that something or some things in our lives is not optimal, and the reasons for it can include external factors such as a lack of control in your job scope, assignments, or inadequate resources to achieve your targets. Internal factors that lead us to court burnout can include a lack of awareness of our own capacities, an inability to say no to the wrong things or yes to the right things, or hidden motivations that propel unhealthy habits.

By becoming aware of what causes burnout, we can take appropriate actions that lead to more effective performance and greater satisfaction in our professional or personal relationships. Less can be more.

Here are a few first steps to living healthier lives:

• Understanding yourself and how you related to others

• Building open, dependable, healthy friendships and relationships based on truth and trust

• Eating well

• Engaging in exercise

• Making time to rest and unwind

• Developing hobbies that lift one's spirit

Reach out if you need focused help.