Wellness & Writing

Are you burning your candle at both ends?

I never believed or paid any attention to people who told me that I’d burn out. “Be careful, you’ll burn out at some stage if you carry on like this!” I thought I could go on forever working like the fury, fitting into other people’s schedules but never stopping to take time out for myself – what  waste of time I would think. If it wasn’t productive, I didn’t do it. Then I stopped and looked at myself. I had been scurrying for so long I had forgotten what I liked to do, what my favourite meal was, how to dress nicely when not at work, how to simply have fun for no reason, I was constantly tired and worried and anxious… does this sound familiar?

What are the signs of a burnout?

Tiredness

An obvious one. Even though you’ve had 6+ hours sleep. You become chronically fatigued even if you have a lie-in or two lie-ins because your body is saturated with free radicals and toxins caused by stress. Your body is unable to let the energy flow freely or the nutrients to be digested properly because your system is on constant ALERT mode.

Short attention span

You are struggling to concentrate on your work. Your mind flits constantly and is easily distracted. Could be too much caffeine or the hangover, but your fatigued mind needs a proper rest – that does not include flicking through social media for an hour!

Workaholic

Are you constantly pushing yourself to do, do, do because you haven’t achieved what you wanted in life and think that working hard is the answer?

Emotionally exhausted

Are you feeling empty. Do you feel sad or even depressed? Are you short-tempered when you don’t mean to be. You are drained. Are you retreating into your turtle shell. Can’t face the world?

Low self-esteem

Putting others first. Don’t do nice things for yourself because you don’t think you deserve them. Constantly saying negative things to yourself. You are literally dragging yourself down.

What to do to avoid a crash and burn

Give yourself some love

You need to start respecting yourself and give yourself a break. Recognise your accomplishments. Work smart not hard.

Try meditation, yoga, breathing classes – release the stress that is clogging up your body. Let it out through exercise, cut back the hours you work, stop, you will be more productive and less stressed!

Me time – chillax

It may sound obvious but try to cut back on work relax on a regular basis. Your mind and body need to refuel.

Keep a diary of how you are feeling so you can monitor if you are feeling more in charge of yourself again or if you are still experiencing fatigue and anxiety – then it’s time to get some therapy from a professional. It is worth it, because you are worth it.

Create positive daily rituals

A nice slow wake-up before the chaos of the day. If you are not so tired you can get up a little earlier, fit in a little stretch, 10 minutes quirt time to get your head sorted (or stroke the cat or dog), a yummy breakfast, long shower, wear something nice.

Take a walk at lunch, meet up with friends instead of working late, have a nice bath or go for a foot massage. Say nice things to yourself. Create an easy achievement list and a wish list of some treats you can do just because you want to! Repeat 3-5 positive affirmations (things you are grateful for and positive things about yourself) when you get up and before going to sleep. Try aromatherapy with a burner in your room or crystal healing grids… get creative!

Act now before it is too late

Don’t ignore your tired state, it will not simply go away. If you leave it too late your fatigued and over-stressed body will develop other ailments and long-lasting problem or damage. A holiday cannot sort this out, it will simply be a time for your body to let the illnesses in instead of a time to be enjoyed. You need a little holiday time everyday. You need to get the work life balance right. Instate the law of Kintalini into your personal life. Get your chi flowing and develop a more positive attitude about yourself. You don’t have to be perfect. Being happy is much better and more satisfying!