Stress vs. Burnout: Where Are You?

I began this week?talking about burnout and some of the ever-increasing rates of burnout in all professions, especially in the healthcare industry.?I highlight the healthcare industry because, having been in the healthcare field for 40 years, these are just a few of the people I talk today after day that are stressed out or burnt out and on the hamster wheel of life!?Having been there before, I know what it is like.?As my mother would call it, God rest her soul, I was at the end of my rope.?My father would call it burning my candle at both ends.?In fact, he gave me a candle with a wick at both ends in a cute little display box!?At 55 years old, I realized something had to give.?That was when I took control of my health which helped with my ability to handle the day-to-day stress.

Many people believe that stress and burnout is something we make up in our head.?In some respects, I tend to agree with them.?What is stressful for one isn’t stressful for others.?You know, we all have that friend that we often secretly hate, that seems to effortlessly glide through their day from school and daycare drop off to late night after school sports practices with work in between.?By 8 PM, the kids are tucked into bed drifting off into dreamland and she’s sitting down to read her newly purchased novel! ?

Most of us are a hot mess trying to keep it all together in the dance of life!?When I was in graduate school, working a fulltime job, going to clinical sites, and studying until midnight and every free waking moment of the weekends, I always had the utmost respect for those that had young children and seemed to manage the demands of furthering their education at the same time!?I would say I had absolutely nothing to complain about since my children were grown and out of the house!?I had to change how I managed my day!

One person may think that a situation that comes up unexpectedly is a small inconvenience or a speedbump in life while someone else may feel it is a mountain to climb and an OMG moment. I don’t know about you, but when you start a reaction with an OMG, it instantly raises the severity of the situation! ?Bottom line is that everyone’s perception of the situation at hand is different.?

How do you know if what you are dealing with is stress or full-fledged burnout!?There are several infographics and self-help books out there that cover the differences. ?You may even have a few books, or you have done an internet search yourself! This one here may help you start thinking about where you might be in your life.

The most important thing to do is to recognize that you are experiencing stress and then decide where you are on the continuum from stress to burnout. It is also important to take steps to relieve the sense of stress you are feeling by creating breathing room and calm in your life.?This is so important because stress can affect your physical and mental health!? Managing your response to life's situations can actually keep you out of burnout!

Many times, people feel like they can tough it out and push through it.?That will only lead to total physical and mental exhaustion that could land you in the hospital.?What I want for you is to recognize you need to make a change and to make a plan to manage your day-to-day obligations.?It starts with asking for help and taking care of yourself.?

One of the saddest things I have ever heard is to hear someone say they don’t have time for selfcare.?That selfcare is not massages, spa days, and mani-pedis!?It is everyday personal care! It is eating healthy, hydrating, getting sleep, exercising, and having down time to relax!?If you don’t have time for that, it is time to take a hard look at your schedule and find more breathing room for yourself.?Your life depends on it! You need your health to be able to function and manage the demands of the day that will always be there!?You need your health to calmly look at problems and find solutions for them.???

It is time to look at your life and improve it.?Situations and problems will always be a part of life.?My dad told me years and years ago that there will always be something.?He’s always been right!?I have learned to find the good in every negative because I have learned that life happens FOR me, not TO me! ?I can choose how I respond to situations. ?You do have the power! There is work-life balance!?Yes, my friends, it exists!?It is real!?It is achievable!?Time to take control!?What are you going to do to take control of your life???Comment below and share your plan with others! And then congratulate yourself for taking action! You will be glad you did!

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