Burnout affects at least 25% of the workforce according to several studies released over the past two years (I am betting that is a conservative number), meaning that millions of people are struggling, and it is not just a job problem. It is actually a much deeper problem.
Burnout, if left unaddressed, can lead to actual real life health problems that have unknown causes and get lumped into the category of “Too Much Stress.” I know, because I have one. My cortisol levels are too low – and my doctor watched them drop over the course of my treatment – I had to eliminate all forms of stress to support my recovery. This low level of cortisol affects my sleep quality, my digestion, my metabolism, my hormone balance, my energy level, and crazy to admit but my mental health state as well. Biochemistry in action! It took me getting burnt to a crisp to finally admit defeat (it was no longer mind over matter in my case) and recognize the affect it was having on my quality of life.
Burnout is a real issue!! I can’t STRESS this enough…
No matter how many people tell you it is all in your head and to suck it up, it’s a problem that can only be solved by getting real with yourself, understanding your severity level of burnout, and looking at the patterns in your life that are causing the drains on your energy.
BURNOUT QUIZ Take this Burnout Quiz from the book Breathe Like a Badass by Hannah Jane Thompson, 2021:
Answer yes/no and count up the number of yes answers. 1. Becoming cynical or critical at work. Y/N 2. Dragging yourself to work and having trouble getting started. Y/N 3. Becoming irritable or impatient with co-workers, customers or clients. Y/N 4. Lacking the energy to be consistently productive. Y/N 5. Finding it hard to concentrate. Y/N 6. Lacking satisfaction from your achievements. Y/N 7. Feeling disillusioned about your job. Y/N 8. Using food, drugs, or alcohol to feel better, or to numb your feelings. Y/N 9. A change in sleep habits. Y/N
How many did you get? 1-3: Slight spark 4-6: Fighting flames 7-9: Burned to a crisp
If you are in the 25% of the workforce affected by burnout, then it is time to come to terms with your truth.
My lifestyle and internal stories led to my burnout. It was no one else’s fault. I crashed and crashed hard. Since then, I discovered that I wasn’t living in alignment with the truth of who I was.
I was not eating properly
I was not sleeping enough
I was exhausted everyday
I was depressed and anxious
I was critical and judgmental
I was working a job that wasn’t the right fit
I could no longer produce as the same level I had become accustomed to
I was lost and struggling to figure out what was wrong with me
I was trying all of the productivity hacks I could find, and losing ground
I knew this wasn’t the real me, but I also had no idea where the real me was hiding at.
For those of you who are experiencing some level of burnout, you are not alone! This is something that needs your attention. Your body is asking for self-care. Chances are that you care for others before you care for yourself, meaning that you don’t have much left in your tank to care for yourself. This is about Self-FIRST and giving from the place of rested, recharged, and refueled. Permission granted! This is not selfish; this is your wellbeing. Listen to your body intuition – it knows what you need. Set some time aside for just you, eat healthy and nutritious whole foods (TIP: they don’t typically come in a box and the more organic the better), make sleep a priority, and ask for help! The ways that you got here will not be the ways that get you out of it.
For the leaders that are running organizations, burnout is costing your organization money. Get real with the workplace culture and the demands placed on employees. It is not laziness when a person is burned out, don’t turn your back on these employees. Chances are they gave a lot to the organization – maybe it is a chance for the organization to give back to them. These employees need your help. They are still valuable. They are human. Stress levels are higher than ever and it is having an impact, maybe even affecting you. Talk to your people, talk with your teams, get feedback from your organization to see how prevalent burnout is in your organization. Take a stand for the wellbeing of your employees.
I am here with you!
If you don't know what to do, I can help. Send me a message.