Burnout: What Is It?
Consider burnout as a cell phone that has been operating on a 1% battery for a long amount of time. The phone eventually loses its capacity to function correctly. Nothing reacts when you try to press buttons. Similarly, your body and mind slow down and become exhausted when you force yourself past the breaking point.
Burnout occurs when we are continuously exhausted. It’s similar to pouring too much on your plate without slowing to eat, rest, or refill. Like the phone, your body eventually begins to shut down.
As a therapist, I often support individuals who have difficulty with emotional exhaustion, an invisible but strong enemy. Burnout is a state of total physical and mental tiredness that impacts all aspects of your life; it’s not just about being burned out or being overworked. The majority of people believe that burnout is limited to stress or feeling overburdened, however, it is more complicated than that. Burnout-related emotional and mental distress can show up in many different kinds of ways, particularly in your physical health.
The Reaction of the Body to Mental Tiredness
Your body senses when your mind is exhausted. Your body receives messages from mental weariness throughout your body, frequently in unexpected ways. The following are some physical effects of burnout:
Tension in the muscles and headaches
Your muscles, specifically those in the neck, shoulders, and back, can relax when you’re feeling stressed. Headaches or even migraines can result from continuous tension. It’s your body’s way of telling you that it can no longer bear this burden.
For instance, consider an overly stretched rubber band. Eventually, it breaks or becomes damaged. Constantly exerting pressure on your muscles causes them to perform accordingly.
The immune system is weakened
The immune system is weakened by psychological exhaustion. When you are stressed out, you are more prone to getting sick, acquiring colds, or taking forever to recover. Mental fatigue reduces the body’s ability to protect itself from disease.
As a hypothetical example, consider your immune system to be an attentive security guard. Overworked guards may overlook an important detail, putting you at risk for disease.
Constant Fatigue
When you’re mentally exhausted, it’s normal to feel physically exhausted as well. However, it’s not your typical sleepiness. Even after working the entire day at their desk, those who are experiencing anxiety frequently feel like they have just finished the race. Your brain puts forth more effort to cope with stress, emotions, and responsibilities which leaves you with no energy at all.
Gastrointestinal problems
The digestive tract is directly impacted by stress. Burnout sufferers may experience nausea, stomachaches, or changes in appetite. This occurs because hormones that cause stress can interfere with the gut’s natural processes.
For instance, your whole body resembles a bustling junction. Everything backs up when there is much traffic (stress). This causes discomfort and gastrointestinal problems.
What’s the First Step to Healing?
Take some time off and Rest
It’s important to take small breaks throughout the day. Go take a walk outside. Make sleep a top concern. Take some time each day to engage in actions which will help you feel more energized.
Understand the Signs
Accepting that you are burned out has become the first step toward recovery. Be careful of your body. Do you have headaches, feel tight, or are you always fatigued? Pay attention to these warning signs, your body is sending out an SOS for much needed rest.
Find Assistance
You can process the stress-causing burnout by speaking with a therapist. The therapist provides a secure setting for discussing the causes of burnout and ways of coping. The psychological burden can be weakened by talking or venting it out.
Burnout is a real condition that can have a serious negative impact on your health, even if it may not be obvious. The path to healing starts with awareness. Identify the symptoms and empower yourself to make positive changes in your life. Mental and physical health are equally vital, and maintaining one typically entails maintaining the other.
Asking for help when you’re feeling overwhelmed or burned out is acceptable. By working together, we can eventually boost our health.