Have you ever heard the term burnout?, perhaps you have experienced this state yourself? The term burnout is one I have heard a lot, but it wasn’t until I became emotionally, mentally, and psychically drained that I understood the toll experiencing burnout can actually cause. Now it's a new year and I’m hoping you all had some well-deserved rest with your feet up and minds switched off. For many this will be the case, others perhaps not, but I do feel as we enter this new year it is important to touch on burnout. It is important you are aware of the signs and potential factors you can implement to limit your risk of experiencing such state.

So, what is burnout and what are some signs that you are about to burn out?

Burnout was a term coined way back in the 1970s by psychologist Herbert Freudenberger and refers to the overwhelming amount of stress that leads to severe emotional, physical, and mental exhaustion. It can be caused by a range of factors such as working long hours, constantly being exposed to stressful situations, or even caring for an ill family member (please note these are only some examples and there are many other factors which may lead to the onset of burnout). Some of the signs you may be burning out can include feeling exhausted in every aspect of life including emotionally, physically and mentally, as well as, feeling overwhelmed to the point where isolation is desired. Other signs may include frequently falling ill, having an increase in irritability, and often fantasizing about escaping or leaving.

What are some preventative strategies I can take?

There are so many things you can actively do to practice a healthy emotional, psychological and mental wellbeing. These include regularly exercising and eating a healthy, nutritional, and well-balanced diet. You should also practice good sleep habits to ensure your body is receiving an appropriate amount of rest to recoup for the next day. Surrounding yourself with supportive people whether that be friends, family members or colleagues is another great way to be sure you're living a healthy lifestyle. And don’t be afraid to ask them for help if you need it. If you do begin to feel overwhelmed, you can also book in to see a counsellor or phycologist to simply vent or work through some coping strategies (below is a list of hotlines we recommend calling if it does all become too much or you feel as though you may be experiencing burnout).

How do I treat burnout?

The first step to treating burnout is recognising it. The second is reaching out for help. No one expects you to recover on your own so reach out to your friends, family, and colleagues for support. Take some time off and spend quality time with loved ones. Other things you can do include reevaluating your priorities. Set boundaries, nourish your creative side, set time aside to relax and sleep and most importantly put your emotional, physical, and mental well-being first. You can also cut back on whatever it is that you believe has caused the burnout. For example, go part-time at university or work, try to reshuffle your schedule so you have some well-deserved rest time for yourself. Or even take a break, sometimes you need a break and a few weeks or months off may actually do you the world of good!

Life is busy, there’s no denying that, which means it is extra important to practice good self-care to reduce any risk of burnout. Simply scheduling rest can have a great impact on reducing the rate of burning out. So, I challenge you to take a walk with a friend, go for a swim, make yourself a healthy dinner, or schedule 8 hours of sleep for tonight. This self-care will help immensely and after, you will not only feel refreshed but recharged, ready to take on new challenges!

If you want to reach out but are not sure where to start, here is a list of great online services you can call:

Lifeline: 13 11 14

Beyond Blue: 1300 22 4636

Samaritans: 135 247 / Youth Help Line: 1800 198 313

Headspace: 1800 650 890

QLife: 1800 184 527

Sources:

https://www.healthline.com/health/tips-for-identifying-and-preventing-burnout

https://www.helpguide.org/articles/stress/burnout-prevention-and-recovery.htm