What is Your Body Telling you?

You are tired, like really tired all the time. You are anxious, but you can’t quite put your finger on the reason. Your appetite has gone haywire. You have lost enjoyment in things that used to bring you a lot of pleasure. You are getting ill more often than you have in the past, or maybe your body just hurts in ways that it didn’t used to. You are experiencing increased irritability and mood swings. Maybe you cannot concentrate at work as well, cannot keep focused as well as you have in the past. You think to yourself, “This is just part of getting older, everyone goes through this, right?” But what if your body is giving you warning signs that your lifestyle is no longer serving you. That you are headed straight for BURN OUT! Your body is desperately trying to communicate with you. It has turned on warning light after warning light, up next may be a complete shutdown. 

What is burnout? Burnout is feeling emotional, physical, and mental fatigue caused by a combination of immediate and prolonged stress.  Burnout can have significant effects on individuals and organizations, therefore it is important to take it seriously both in our own lives and in the workplace. By recognizing the signs of burnout early it allows for intervention before it becomes severe. Implementing strategies such as stress management, setting boundaries, seeking social support, and professional help can all contribute to preventing burnout and promoting well-being. 

So how do we implement stress management techniques? If it were that easy we would all be doing it and no one would be suffering in the first place, I hear you, I hear you. It starts with understanding some very simple, but more complex to implement, concepts. Concepts we have all heard before, but guess what we are going to talk about them again. I know, I know, you don't have time to exercise, or to eat right. And meditation, well that is just some mumbo jumbo nonsense. You cannot possibly make your mind be quiet. That is just not going to happen. So let’s just take it slow, we will talk it over and you implement what works, maybe try something new, because what you have been doing isn’t exactly working anyway. So isn’t it at least worth a shot?

First, you cannot care for anyone if you do not care for yourself first. Anyone that has been on an airplane has heard the instruction that you must put your own oxygen mask on first. Why? Because if you are suffocating you cannot help others around you. You also just cannot give what you do not have. As women in this society we are trained to give and give of ourselves, to be “selfless”, what does that even mean? I do not want to be without a self and I certainly do not want to be modeling that for my family or the younger generations in the workplace. So TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF! Get the sleep you need, and if you can’t sleep see a healthcare provider to find out why. But maybe taking care of some of the stress in your life will help with that as well. Stay hydrated. I know.I know. We all hear it ALL THE TIME, but unfortunately it is true, being dehydrated is terrible for you. You cannot function properly, physically or mentally, when you are dehydrated. Coming from the nursing field this hits home. It is HARD to stay hydrated during long shifts, I have worked in the OR for most of my career and it is very challenging, but I have truly prioritized it the last few years and I have felt so much better for it. I no longer wake up with terrible leg cramps. (SEE BETTER SLEEP) My digestion is better. I have fewer headaches and I think my skin is oh so much glowier (insert smirk) I make sure everyone on my team knows we are all humans with bodies that have real needs, so we need to care for them. Sending that message to the entire team benefits me, and also benefits them, giving permission to also care for themselves when they may not have felt comfortable enough to do it otherwise. 

Second, get regular physical exercise. It helps your body and your mind. It does, period. You don’t have to run a marathon, or lift weights like the bro’s. But regular exercise, a good mix of cardio and strength training will go a long way. Find something you love doing and prioritize it. Which leads to the next concept, learn to set boundaries.

Third, establish clear boundaries to protect personal time and space. What are boundaries? I have written about them here. But in short you set agreements, you let others know what the expectations are on your end, what you will and will not do, what you expect from them in return. Then you hold them. You are not responsible for how the other person responds. You are only ever responsible for you and your actions. You will learn that NO is in fact a complete sentence, and requires zero explanation most of the time. 

Fourth, this is where I tell you to start a mindfulness practice. It's in the name, it's a practice. You aren’t supposed to be an expert at it from the beginning, I’ve been practicing for over a decade and I am just scratching the surface. Start small, start with a minute. Just set a timer, and breathe and focus on your breath and when, not if, but when you find that your mind has wandered, do not shame yourself, because that is not what this is about, just start focusing on that breath again. When that gets more comfortable, increase your time. Or there are several apps that provide amazing guided meditations. There is a reason that this is always suggested, because it works. I’ll just leave that there. 

Finally, seek outside support. There are amazing support systems that can and will help you. As a transformational coach this is an area that I love to work in. I love to help people find their spark again after periods of burn out or transition by fostering a supportive environment, promoting balance, and equipping them with skills to manage challenges effectively. But even if you don’t work with a coach, find someone to talk to, a trusted family member or friend. 

Do not suffer in silence or ignore the symptoms and think that they will go away. Treating burnout is essential for restoring overall well-being, improving your relationships, enhancing professional success, and fostering a more fulfilling and enjoyable life. It allows you to reclaim your vitality, mental clarity, and joy in both your personal and professional pursuits.

If you are experiencing burnout and would like to schedule a Discovery Call to discuss how I can help you click the link.