BURNOUT AND ACTIVE RECOVERY
Dr. Robyne Hanley-Dafoe
Resiliency · Keynote speaker · Author · Educator · Podcast Host
Key Points:
As we enter the colder months it may be difficult to find time to set aside for rest and recovery. We may find that exhausting our inner and outer selves are needed to achieve our weekly schedules and/or ambitions. We know better but we don't also do better. This phenomenon has been studied by behaviourists for decades. Knowing and doing are not the same thing, obviously, but why does having the knowledge not initiate change? We know staying up late, watching that fourth episode is going to leave us hurting the next morning, yet we click 'play next'. We know missing opportunities for physical activity is going to leave us foggy and cranky, but getting ourselves to the gym, or even just out the front door, feels like a herculean task some days. Skipping lunch or working through your lunch is going to leave you ravenous by 4 pm when you will then knock people out of the way to the pantry cupboard to eat stale crackers, but we do it anyway. We know better but we do it anyway. This habit is even more significant with our self-care recovery. We know we need a rest, but we push through anyway. Sometimes the pushing through is our choice, and other times we feel as though we have no choice because it is 'the nature of the job'. The unfortunate reality is that we can go on for a very long time, neglecting our self-care. It can be a slow, steady erosion that eventually leads to burnout. And burnout does not only affect you, it also affects everyone you care about as well.?
This is part two of four article series on reclaiming your right to recover and discovering why self-care may be difficult adapted from my newest white paper.?
Burnout and Active Recovery
In our fast-paced society, burnout could have been considered an epidemic even before the COVID-19 crisis. The additional uncertainty, anxiety, as well as the personal, interpersonal, and environmental stressors brought about by the current pandemic have put all of us at greater risk. Stress is a normal part of life and has actually been shown to be productive; it is a normal and adaptive response to our environment. Contrastingly, burnout is the result of prolonged exposure to stressors with no active recovery or release. It is a maladaptive depletion of our system due to an inability to actively recover from stress.?
Studies are showing that burnout is on the rise and yet,?for high-performance professionals, it is almost as if burnout is considered part of the job.?This state of extreme exhaustion on a physical, emotional, and cognitive level is essentially doing too much for too long.?Burnout is a result of working and living outside of our values. Overworking and chronic feelings of scarcity, uncertainty, or competition is a common recipe, as is not being properly appreciated or acknowledged for the work that we do, and not seeing a way to improve our situation. These are all demoralizing working conditions that can lead to burnout.
The Importance of Self-and-Professional Care
Taking the time for self-care as high-performance professionals is critical to preventing burnout and the compassion fatigue that can result.?
Self-care begins with increasing our self-awareness, understanding where we are at, what we are feeling, and determining what we most need.?Self-care supports us in creating life with work balance and integration of our values into our professional practice. It improves our relationships with others and with ourselves.?
Self-care also improves:
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WHY IS SELF-CARE SO HARD FOR HIGH-PERFORMING PROFESSIONALS?
In my work with executives, entrepreneurs, athletes, and other high-performing professionals, I have heard countless stories about how difficult it is to integrate adequate self-care into our life rhythms. When we are used to producing at such high levels, we often find ourselves unable to schedule sufficient downtime, to sit still and truly unplug. The need to always be doing seems to creep in. This constant busyness has actually been shown to be an addictive cycle. The adrenaline high that we get while always on the go feels good, even when it feels stressful. And this can be an indication that we are not ok.?
My work as a resiliency expert has taught me that no matter the details of our unique stories, resiliency means that we have a steadfast knowing that we will have to do hard things. It means that we understand that as human beings we are hard-wired for struggle and that come what may, we will be okay. A profound truth I came to recognize in my own life is that?somehow the only emotions I had been giving myself permission to feel were ‘productivity’ and ‘exhaustion’.?I had internalized a set of values from capitalism and patriarchy that were driving me at the expense of my own peace and wellbeing.?
The guilt we can feel about taking time for ourselves and our wellness is a clear indication that we have internalized these misaligned values. It takes courage and a certain amount of faith to refuse and resist this conditioning – to put ourselves and our self-care first. Notice if you resonate with any of the following common reasons high-performance professionals find it difficult to prioritize self-care:
As stated in my previous article exhaustion is not a marker of success but it is a sign you need care and recovery.?It is not easy to put ourselves, our wellness, and our self-care practices above the bustle of life and the hustle of a demanding career. It is an investment, but it is the kind of investment that pays infinite dividends. Integrating active recovery into our professional practice takes a willingness to be self-aware and to prioritize our wellbeing. It is not easy, but it is so worth it. And I know that you can do hard things.?
Take good care. You got this!
Dr. Robyne
Interested in this topic? Please join us next week as I discuss how the practices of stressing wisely can aid in reclaiming your right to recover.?