Just about everyday we hear of athletes, actors, singers, high flying corporate tycoons etc. having burnouts. This is no longer a phenomena related to just these categories of society. Their burn-out episodes are publicized because they are rich and famous and because the paparazzi love to get hooked on such happenings. But don’t be fooled – it’s time to wake up! Stress-related burn-outs can happen to anyone, not just the rich and famous. And why would it happen to you or me? Because there is a marked lack of balance in our lives. So, we hone in on the issue of needing to have a proper balance in life – to focus on balance in all areas and not just one. To harmonize all aspects, including your personal well-being, instead of allowing one part of your life to be overloaded to the point that your ‘bio system’ will blow a fuse.
Since about the 1970s stress-related burnout has become a global issue, mainly focused on the work-place. Historically, according to Statistica.com, burn-out results from things such as ‘emotional exhaustion and reduced performance on a personal and work-related level’ – chronically being exposed to stress simply put. A UK Open University study shows that ‘three quarters of women are working too hard’ in their strive to be better paid and climb the corporate ladder. A whopping 61% ‘regularly do overtime’, leading quickly to burn-out – if they have kids they most likely continue to ‘work’ at home as well.
3 signs of burn-out
Become aware of your body and what is going on around you and you should be able to recognize if you are burning out.
- Are you constantly feeling exhausted? Do you feel tired or lack energy (mentally, emotionally or physically) even after having a good night’s rest? This might be one of the first signs.
Most people tend to work hard so that they can achieve their life goals. In the process, they forget to take care of themselves and other important factors in the lives. How many among us do you see have neglected themselves, saying that they are too busy to sit down and enjoy a good nutritious home cooked meal, instead settling for a quick bite at the fast food restaurant? Examples are numerous. Many people are totally unaware of the possibility of a stress breakdown until they experience a burnout episode. I am no exclusion! As a single mum, I work hard at my business to make a living for me and my children. I have learned to not use the word ‘busy’ as much – instead I opt for ‘in action’. Plus, everyday I put ‘simplify my life’ strategies into place, letting go of anything that doesn’t serve me and us as a family, e.g. one sport only per child; focusing on one activity (private or business) at a time (no multi-tasking)
- Lack motivation to do something, whether at work or home? Can’t get out of bed? Suffer from Monday morning blues? All these are sure signs of you on your way to burn-out.
Lots of us can be guilty of working way too much, way too many hours, at work and home, even taking our work home with us. Eventually this will catch up for sure. Usually it manifests as an illness of some sort – starting out with lack of motivation on its way to the B-Word.
- Do you feel increasingly frustrated with the way things are or disillusioned with people, situations and things? React negatively to just about everything? Take out things on other people, be it family or strangers?
Remember that it is ok to be this way sometimes, but not ok when it happens just about all the time. If you start taking things out on other people, you need to pull yourself up (if you can do so on your own – other seek professional help)! Become AWARE and practise some SELF-CARE by taking time out. Smell the roses, appreciate the simple things in life. Do something you LOVE! Do something FUN!
Just to stress (pardon the pun J) on why it is so important to build balance in your life – being overworked and stressed is one of the main contributing factors for hyper-tension and cardio-vascular diseases. Many of us are so engrossed in one part of our life that we forget the importance of the rest of the components that need to keep us in balance (think of a wheel that is out of balance – would be quite a bumpy ride, wouldn’t it?!)
Some are obsessed with working in their jobs and others with working out and keeping fit – this could very well lead to burn-out as well, believe it or not. They spend hours at the gym lifting weights and doing the gym-stuff, yet achieve nothing significant more than what they would achieve if they were to do 1 hour’s work-out as some others choose to do.
Then there are the super mums and dads who are obsessed with the standards they apply to their children’s performance, to their housekeeping standards and other matters in life. Such obsessions invariably tax the balance in life and affect important aspects, which should not be neglected at the cost of any other focus points in life.
So, you ask, what is my take-home point? Dare to strike a balance. Make a mental (or written) checklist of how your attention is being split between various aspects of your life. Is your career or business getting enough attention or are you neglecting it because you have found a new love or run around for your kids more than anything? Maybe you are such a workaholic that your social life is non-existent! When I begin working with my clients, we create their Wheel of Life. Taking into account the various areas of their lives such as Leisure, Relationships, Career, Finances etc. (usually about 8 areas). My client is guided to assess where they are at the moment in that area on a scale of 1 to 10 – how satisfied or dissatisfied they in those areas. We then discuss the areas that need attention and put actions into place for my client to create a more balanced life. If you do this on a regular basis (say every 6 months) you should see a marked difference in your life and be able to steer clear away from stress which can cause burn-out. Your world will certainly look a lot brighter and your health, wellbeing and performance enhanced dramatically. All in all, we need some balance in our lives, to have a nice smooth ride, let it flow nicely. Become aware of it, strive towards it and you will be happier and more in balance with the outcome. Visit my website to download the Wheel of Life and do the assessment to see how balanced your life is. I’d love to know how you go. If you need some help with completing the Wheel, please feel free to shoot me any questions.
Here’s to more balance in your Life and a less bumpy ride!
Love and Blessings, Ruth Cyster-Stuettgen
