Feeling like you're on your way to burnout or already there?

“It’s just a flesh wound”

“Tis but a scratch”

Fans of Monty Python and The Holy Grail will remember those words. For everyone else – it’s a scene where the Black Knight and King Arthur are duelling and the Black Knight keeps being struck by King Arthur and loosing limbs but refuses to give up. You can watch a snippet of it here?https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZmInkxbvlCs

Now let’s talk about burnout…?

Burnout can be a bit like that – a refusal to give up at any cost. I remember it well:

• The feeling that I’m needed – if I opt out, the team / the task / the (insert thing here) will suffer.
• If I don’t do it, everything will fall apart because what I do is an integral part of the process.
• It’s my responsibility to get (insert tasks) here done.
• I can hang on - it won't be long until it’s less busy
• I’m taking a break in 6 months for a weekend – I’ll hang on until then.

And you get more stressed. You over-react to minor things, let along major things. You tend to dwell in the negative of situations and your thoughts? Oh boy – nothing is good or great, it’s all a pain in the neck and another thing to add to your already overtasked day.

You start to withdraw or you’re just cranky with everyone, so no one comes near you unless they must. You don’t cope with changes to programs or daily schedules without getting angry about it. You have trouble controlling your emotional expression.

Do you know the worst part of it?

There are observable changes to your brain structures.

That’s right – burnout changes your brain. The part of the brain that controls your emotional reactions to fear and threats (this is a very simplified version of its purpose), gets bigger and becomes overactive.

What’s more, the links or paths between the ‘fear’ recognition centre and the impulse control part of your brain are weakened. You have less control over how you react to what your brain is perceiving as threatening. All leading to behaviours that are not perhaps in the best interests of yourself or those around you.

What can you do if you’re on your way to burnout or already there?

Seek help. Firstly, seek help. It may be from a psychological professional or even someone like myself who can take you through a program of helping your brain to recover.

Secondly, look for ways to alter the conditions that brought you to the point of burnout or are bringing you to the point – changes in your working conditions. Again, help from someone like me who offers corporate/business wellness programs.

In this time of unpredictability, we can take steps to ensure wellness. It is not a case of just having to ‘white-knuckle’ it and get through. Reach out and see how I can help.