How to deal with Burn-outs | Mental healthcare facility in Sacramento county
Modern lifestyles may be less physically demanding, but they take a toll on emotional and mental health. We can easily feel ‘burned-out’ in our lives. Burn-outs happen when we begin to feel overly frustrated, helpless, and tired of our daily struggles. It is hard to define burnouts, but it is usually associated with chronic stress related to work-related activities or other ongoing activities. It may affect our physical, emotional, and mental wellbeing. Burnouts are subtly different from depression; it is hard to put a finger on what triggers a burn-out. That’s why burn-outs often go undetected and are hard to tackle. Burn-outs are characterized by a feeling of inadequacy and unfulfillment. A person experiencing a burnout might find herself susceptible to emotional pangs of pain suddenly and still not know the reasons. While stress is often triggered by a feeling of ‘too much to handle’, a burnout might be triggered by a feeling of ‘not having enough’. Burn-outs produce hopelessness and make it tough to move forwards. Burn-outs do manifest symptoms of major depressive episodes; however, burnouts have a unique pathology and should have a different treatment protocol. Burnouts do overlap with ‘stress outs’ and ‘depression’. Yet, we can recognize burnout through the following symptoms some of which may be distinct.
– Boredom and lack of motivation
– Persistent procrastination
– Low self-esteem and self-doubt
– Persistent physical illness
– Routine tasks feel like waste of time
– Changes in appetite and sleep patterns
– Social withdrawn and self-isolation
– Food and substance use
– Manifestation of misplace anger
– Missing deadlines, appointments, routine tasks, and social engagements.
There is evidence of changed physiology, and anatomy associated with burnouts. Scientists have observed changes in the brain’s frontal lobe, and cortisol regulation. The effects of fluctuating cortisol levels can be significant in terms of physical health.
Managing burnouts can be tough; one should always focus on prevention. However, if the process has started, it becomes imperative to take the situation seriously and ask for help. There are several excellent mental health facilities in Sacramento county and other parts of the US that can help identify the problem.
Prevention should always be the primary focus. It is important to gain personal insights, to evaluate vulnerabilities for burn-outs. Characteristics such as personality traits, personal history, and family history should be taken in consideration to make such evaluations. It is also important to make certain lifestyle changes. Everyone deserves self-care. In the midst of busy lifestyles, we often forget to give ourselves enough time. Activities such as writing journals, meditations, reading, and taking on new hobbies always help. Similarly, one should always monitor diet; daily exercise and sufficient sleep are also very important.
One should also learn to set and observe certain boundaries. Say ‘no’ to others and yourself, instead of bearing physical and emotional burdens. Overworking usually leads to burnouts—always take ample breaks from your work. Leave work at your workplace. Don’t carry the emotional burden of work at home with you. That might be easier said than done sometimes, but it can be done with a bit of effort and mindfulness.
Usage of computers, phones, television, and other modern devices should also be moderated. Instead of spending too much time reading screens, it is more beneficial to get involved with projects and hobbies that make you feel more content. Excessive stress is a killer—try to mitigate it as much as possible. Read about mental health issues to become more aware. Activities should always be done in moderations. A quality life results from taking moderate diet, doing moderate exercise, and also taking stress in moderate intensity. Regular activities should be analyzed and prioritized according to the physical and emotional toll they take. It is also important to realize that we are human beings and we come with a lot of vulnerabilities. No one is perfect. Therefore, we must learn to ask for help without shame or hesitance. One doesn’t have to endure the pain associated with burnout, alone. Our ego might tell us otherwise, but that will only make matters worse. Convince yourself that you are good enough to keep moving ahead despite the obstacles.
Burnouts need to be understood better, especially in complex times these days. It is indeed a powerful phenomenon and has the potential of making lives miserable. The scariest aspect is its subtle nature. Hopefully, with more awareness, the public will be in a better position to understand it and devise coping mechanisms.