Feeling Burned Out?

Have you ever woke in your bed thinking about your email inbox and to-dos for the day and just felt a huge amount of anxiety?  


We’ve all been there. In a 2021 survey of 1,500 U.S. workers, more than half said they were feeling burned out as a result of their job demands, and a whopping 4.3 million Americans quit their jobs last December in what has come to be known as the “great resignation.” Even with a “perfect life,” we can experience burnout.
 
When people think of burnout, mental and emotional symptoms such as feelings of helplessness and cynicism often come to mind. But burnout can lead to physical symptoms as well, and make us more susceptible to disease. This makes it all the more important that we’re able to recognize the signs and know what to do about them.
 
Along with things like chronic fatigue, cynicism, pessimism, and detachment, the following physical signs can be an indicator of burnout:
 

• Sleeplessness (Insomnia)
  
• Pain in the lower abdomen
  
• Headaches
  
• A racing heartbeat
  
• Shortness of breath
  
• Feeling dizzy or fainting
  
• Pain in the intestines
  

 
We’re often told the solution is to do more self-care or to add more positive practices to our routine. But sometimes….the solution is to just do less. The road to burnout is paved with over-committing yourself and overbooking your calendar–oftentimes with commitments you don’t really even want to do. Before you know it, your day is jammed with tasks and the need to be available at all times of the day and night. 
 
Take a look at all you’re committed to, and start to prioritize the things that you TRULY value and that bring your joy. It can be hard, but it's ok to say No to requests on your time that don’t fit in with your main priorities. 
 
Only you can turn the tide on burnout. But when you do, you’ll be so thankful that you did.​