Read on to understand Burnout and Stress, and how this impacts your mental health. Learn what you can do to start your pathway to recovering from burnout.
Have you ever felt physically and emotionally exhausted? Felt like you're at the end of your fuse? Have you made some decision that were out of character? Then you might be experiencing stress and burnout.
In our Newsletter this month, we explore the nature of burnout and stress, their effects on mental well-being, and steps you can take to overcome them.
What is Burnout?
Most commonly, burnout can happen after prolonged work-related stress but can also crop up from other areas of life, like caregiving, academic pursuits or personal relationships. We characterise burnout by these three dimensions:
Emotional Exhaustion. Feeling drained and depleted of emotional resources. Maybe you just don't have the energy to feel anything right now.
Depersonalisation. Developing a cynical attitude towards work, that you might have once enjoyed, and feeling detached from your responsibilities.
Reduced Personal Accomplishment. Experiencing a drop in feelings of competence or achievement. Maybe you feel like you can't do anything right anymore, so why bother.
The Impact of Stress on Mental Health
Stress is the body's response to a demand or challenge. Cortisol is produced from our adrenal glands, and plays an important role in stress. While short term stress can be beneficial in that it provides energy to tackle urgent tasks, chronic stress can have a negative effect on mental health. Some common impacts of prolonged stress include:
Anxiety and Depression. Prolonged stress can trigger or exacerbate anxiety disorders and depression
Cognitive Impairment. Chronic stress can reduce memory, concentration and decision-making abilities.
Physical Health. Constant high levels of stress can manifest in physical health problems such are headaches, high blood pressure, a weakened immune system.
Sleep Disorders. Stress can make it hard to get quality sleep (which can lead to more exhaustion and stress), which further impacts mental and physical health.
"I was the perfect person to have a burnout because I was not listening to my body at all" - Robin Soderling, Swedish Tennis Player, ATP #4 2010
Strategies to Overcome Burnout and Manage Stress
Personally, I've been seeing some signs on burnout in my life recently, and I knew it was time to take a break and talk with a professional for some guidance. I have also been lucky enough to have a few breaks from work for my birthday and to attend a wedding, which have allowed me to set boundaries on the time and energy I give to work. By investing in myself, I'm able to give my best to others.
Below are a few tips to get you started to taking better care of yourself and your mental well-being:
Recognise the Signs: Recognising and acknowledging your experience is the first step on your path to recovery. Some signs might include chronic fatigue, irritability, lack of motivation, a sense of helplessness.
Set Boundaries: Most often, burnout will occur when we prioritise others and don't give ourselves time to recharge. Boundaries help keep your cup full.
Focus on What you Can Control: Accepting that some things are beyond your control will free you up to focus on what you can control.
Professional Help: What I love most about counselling is the safe and judgement-free space it gives you to speak about your experiences, explore root causes, and help you find effective coping strategies.
Burnout and Stress are significant challenges that can have deep and lasting effecting on your mental health. But, by recognising the signs and implementing personal coping strategies, it's possible to work through these conditioners and restore your balance and well-being. At Lavender Sky Counselling, we are dedicated to supporting you on your pathway towards good mental health and resilience. If you or someone you know is struggling with burnout or stress, don't hesitate to reach out to us for compassionate support and professional guidance.
The Last Word.
If you found this newsletter helpful, please consider sharing with others who might benefit. For more resources and support, visit our website, www.lavenderskycounselling.com
Together we can built a healthier and stronger community.
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