Are you highly stressed and on the verge of burnout?  We’ve all experienced our share of stress, and many of us have battled with symptoms of burnout. I have coached a lot of hardworking, successful clients. During these challenging times of working remotely, many of them find themselves taking on more and more responsibility, working harder and harder and getting busier and busier. Yet they feel like they need to still do more to keep up. Some of them are fast approaching burnout.  Although there is no quick fix, there are ways to heal from burnout. First you have to recognize the signs your body and mind give you when you are teetering on the edge.

Stress vs. Burnout

Because burnout is a gradual process, most people don’t realize they are at risk until the buildup of stress hormones in their system is significant. The impact of these hormones (cortisol, epinephrine, norepinephrine, etc.) is substantial.

Left unaddressed, burnout can lead to anxiety, panic attacks, and even depression.  Burnout can be isolating and make you feel weak from shame that you cannot perform at the same level as your peers. Healing from burnout requires rehabilitating your sense of self- your true self.

Here are a few ways to start the healing process:

TAKE A BREAK Even starting with 10 minutes a day to take a walk, listen to music, chat with a friend, meditate, or enjoy a cup of coffee can start to reverse the buildup of stress hormones. The key is to find activities that are easy to do each day and will take your mind off of the stress causing work. Even taking a break takes practice- when you find yourself enjoying that cup of coffee and thinking about your budget report, you have to consciously tell yourself to stop and think about something pleasant. With consistency, you will feel the healing benefits.  SET BOUNDARIES We often trap ourselves in cycles fueled by our own pessimism, paranoia, and fear- thinking we have no choices. By setting boundaries, personally and professionally, you can start to find balance and to heal. Maybe you “unplug” at the same time each night and do not answer emails or texts. Maybe, you use some of those vacation days you have stockpiled because you always tell yourself you don’t have time to get away.

DEFINE YOUR VALUES What do you value in life? What sort of work is most gratifying to you? What do you want out of life? For some people that will be financial success, for others it will be a creative career and for others it will be a life of charitable work. When you understand your personal and professional values and make decisions based on them, you begin to experience true happiness.  SEEK HELP When you feel like you cannot find balance and healing from burnout on your own, you should seek qualified help. Whether it is from me or from a therapist or another coach. Pain-2-Power is all about responding to the discomfort in life with the tools to overcome it and move forward - to your very best possibilities.

MASTERING SIMPLE PHYSICAL ROUTINES CAN MAKE YOUR MIND MORE POWERFUL Please consider attending an online seminar hosted by Kathi Fairbend ,MS, RPT entitled "The Brain is Two Synapses from the Body." Register HERE

If you would like to schedule a session with Keith email info@keithablow.com or call 978-462-1125.

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