Are you constantly exhausted and never wake up feeling refreshed?
Do you worry about everything and no longer find joy in the things you used to.
You have no energy to do much of anything and feel like you are failing in almost every area of your life. You want something else, but you’re not sure what that is, or how to get there.
If this hits home, it sounds like you haven’t just arrived on burnout island. Rather, you’ve bought a house and planted yourself firmly in the neighbourhood!
How do I know?
Well, I've found myself on burnout island more than once, and it’s not the kind of postcode you want to settle down in!
The good news is that it doesn’t have to turn into a permanent residency. The first step is recognising what’s happening; from there, you can make the changes needed to get your life back.
Let’s take a tour of burnout island and find out what it is, how you got there, and how to get to a better place!
It’s Time To Get Off Burnout Island
What Is Burnout?
The World Health Organisation defines burnout as a condition “resulting from chronic workplace stress that has not been successfully managed.”
I think that’s putting it lightly!
To summarise, burnout is what happens to the body and mind when prolonged stress causes you to be exhausted physically, mentally and emotionally. Basically, you are all out of gas with no petrol station in sight.
How Do You Know You Are Burned Out?
No doubt, you will already recognise that you are either burned out – or on your way to burnout island – from the introduction. But if you’re not sure, here are a few key signs that shouldn’t be ignored:
- You are utterly exhausted all the time
- You find it hard to focus or find motivation
- You’ve lost the “spark” you used to have towards your job or career
- You feel like you are failing in almost all areas of your life
- You get sick often and experience headaches and body aches
- Maybe you have trouble sleeping or sleep too much
- Your appetite or eating habits may have altered
- It’s hard to snap out of a negative mindset
- The things you used to enjoy no longer bring satisfaction
Personally, I experienced all of the above and more. During my career, I’ve burnt myself out three times, clearly I was a slow learner. It felt like the energy and life were sucked right out of me.
At 47, I had to reinvented my life. That meant everything from health and wellbeing to my career. I had to find new ways of operating to ensure I never go back to that place again.
Why Does Burnout Happen?
If you are a female, it will come as no surprise that burnout happens to women more often than it does to men.
One research study, in particular, revealed that lack of equality in the workplace due to gender was a key factor.
In spite of our experience or qualifications, it remains a sad fact that women often have less authority to make decisions in the workplace. All too often, we are also overqualified for our roles.
The frustration caused by this imbalance leads to increasing dissatisfaction at work. It can be completely disempowering as a professional woman to find this kind of attitude throughout the workforce.
On top of these challenges at work, women still often (but not always) bear a lot of responsibility at home. Whether you are a single parent or have equal responsibilities, parenting is full of pressure. We take on so much, work harder to prove ourselves professionally, and beat ourselves up when we can’t do it all.
How To Fix Burnout - Or Get The “F” Off Burnout Island!
It can be scary to realise that you are burned out and aren’t sure where to turn. But, it can also be empowering. Now that you have identified what’s going on, you can start taking steps to fix it.
I know it can be overwhelming to think about making changes when everything already feels too hard. But you don’t have to do it all at once, and you certainly don’t have to do it alone.
Here are some tips on getting started:
Put yourself first – this may be a new concept for many, but as the old saying goes, “you can’t pour from an empty cup.” Putting yourself first may involve scheduling time exclusively for you to do the things you want or need to be well. It may mean learning to say "no" to things that drain you, too!
Get back to basics – taking care of ourselves often falls to the wayside when life feels like a struggle. When this happens, it’s time to strip it back to the very basics we need to be healthy. Eat well, move your body every day, get plenty of sleep, drink enough water, and find ways to manage your stress better.
Get support – sometimes it’s hard to get out of your own head. An outside perspective can help change your mindset and steer you to a new neighbourhood. Don’t underestimate the value of talking to someone who’s been where you are!
After I climbed out of burnout hell, I found my real power, and it became my mission to help women like you do the same.
Together we will refocus your mindset, so you ditch the BS stories and beliefs that are holding you captive, and transition to loving life and living your dreams!
All my sessions take place via zoom, so you can choose your surroundings, from a private office to the couch or anything in between. The most important thing is that you are comfortable, warm, hydrated, and relaxed to get the most out of the experience.
Whether you're a business owner wanting to take your business to the next level or a professional woman who needs help, take your next step forward. If you feel like you need extra support in making these changes, don't hesitate to reach out. Book in a time to chat with Hana or follow her on: Facebook Instagram or LinkedIn
