Let’s talk about burnout – how to know when you’re experiencing it and how to make sure it doesn’t get the best of you.
When you are burned out, you are tired, sad, you have no energy to move forward. You feel like the whole World is against you. Being a business owner, I’m not exempt from burnout. Sometimes it’s my own mind overthinking and overworking itself to the point of exhaustion. Do you ever feel the same way?
So what’s causing us to feel burned out? More importantly, how do we prevent it from taking over our lives?
Burnout is mostly a product of stress on a daily basis. This can be stress from having too much on your plate, or it can happen when you feel forced to put energy into work that doesn’t fulfill you.
High expectations also play a big role in creating burnout.
Here are five signs you might be experiencing burnout right now and how you can deal with it:
1. Your to-do list feels extra overwhelming.
If your to-do list is overwhelming on a daily basis, even if it’s things you enjoy doing, it might be a sign that you’re burning yourself out. Try to simplify your workload. Stick to three top priorities for the day and focus solely on those.
2. You’re overly exhausted.
If you need five cups of coffee to keep your eyes open during the day, it’s a sign that you’re not taking care of yourself properly. This is where it’s important to check in with yourself and make sure you’re taking care of your basic needs.
Are you getting enough sleep? Are you eating regularly? When was the last time you exercised? Have you had enough water? Sometimes the simplest things have the biggest impact on our energy levels.
3. Your self-talk is negative.
When we’re overwhelmed or exhausted, our minds tend to gravitate to a negative place. If you notice that you’re always thinking in negatives or being especially hard on yourself, it could be because you haven’t given yourself time to rest and recharge.
When you feel weighed down by a negative mindset, make sure to give yourself grace. No one holds you to such high standards as you do, and it’s okay to give yourself a break. Say positive affirmations, journal your thoughts out and take time to truly relax.
4. Everything feels like a chore.
If you feel like you’re doing nothing on a daily basis that excites you or brings you joy, the monotony of daily life will start to take its toll. Most of us are living on autopilot and do the same things every day, so it’s important to incorporate a little fun into your schedule.
Make a conscious effort to add things into your day that you can look forward to. Maybe that’s talking with a friend, going for a walk, listening to music, writing, trying a DIY project, practicing yoga, reading, etc. If you try to do something a little different each day, life will feel more fun.
5. You don’t have time to practice self-care.
Self-care can be a huge help when it comes to dealing with burnout. The tricky part is actually making the time for self-care. If you don’t have time for self-care, it’s probably because you’re prioritizing everyone else’s needs above your own.
Instead, give yourself permission to rest. Self-care is the ultimate remedy for burnout, so treat it like a priority in your life.
For more practical advices, check out my latest video:
Marianna Jackson
