Originally the term Burnout was used as a time when a rocket or jet has finished all of its fuel and stops operating. Unfortunately, nowadays it’s used to describe an occupational mental health condition.
It is a state of emotional, physical, and mental exhaustion caused by excessive and prolonged stress. It occurs when we feel overwhelmed, emotionally drained and unable to meet constant demands
The World Health Organisation has officially declared it as a workplace condition and in the US a recent study suggests as much as 76% employees are currently experiencing it. It is also worth pointing out that people caring for children and parents can also suffer.
The unfortunate reality is, the more we push ourselves the more likely we are to experience it and it’s not going to go away unless we learn to be with it or better still put in preventive measures to reduce the likelihood of it from happening in the first place.
It’s a lesson that I learnt 12 years ago whilst constantly working to tight deadlines, taking onboard new responsibilities and enjoying the rewards of my successes a little too much. Eventually, leaving me in a deep dark and depressive state enhanced further by the loss of my father.
Knowing this needed to be addressed rather than suppressed I looked to use Meditation to explore this sense of overwhelm. Personally not only have I not looked back. But feel stronger and stronger with each passing day.
There are many other tools we can use and better still we can even use a combination of them all. Regular daily exercise/yoga with the focus on regular rather than occasional trips to the Gym. The cumulative gain is far greater and leads to creating a strong healthy habit.
Take up a hobby which has no relation to work. Maybe something fun, innocent where we don’t mind laughing at ourselves whilst also learning something new.
Much has been talked about Sleep and rightfully so. If it could be bottled up and sold it would be the ultimate wonder drug. If you are one that struggles with sleep. Check out Nick Littlehales and Matthew Walker both have excellent books on this topic.
Also check out “a rocking night time routine” A blog I did on just this topic. It’s short and to the point. Some would say its a bit hardcore but then so are then benefits of a good nights sleep.
A balanced diet with the possible inclusion of fasting and simply have more fun finish of this list. For what’s life without a little fun in it!
Well there is one more and its a big one. If you are unhappy and struggling, or if you are feeling you are heading towards that direction no matter how small, ask for help. All too often we think we have to do it alone and we don’t, we really really don’t
https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/study-finds-76-of-us-employees-are-currently-experiencing-worker-burnout-301191279.html
https://andreberrymeditation.co.uk/a-rocking-night-time-routine/
For more information or to book upcoming course in Transcendental Meditation or to book a wellbeing talk for your office please contact hello@andreberrymeditation.co.uk
