Cape Town - Feeling hopeless, depressed and struggling against exhaustion?
If you are pushing yourself even harder, longing for the boundless energy you once took for granted, you might be heading for burn-out, says Dr Dorrian Aiken, part-time lecturer at the University of Stellenbosch Business School in the field of coaching, organisational transformation and leadership development.
“It seems as if the phenomenon of burn-out is increasing, resulting in the modern-day psychological issues of being both stressed and also lacking vitality – a feeling of not being in touch with one’s own life,” says Aiken in a press release from the university.
According to a study conducted last year by the American Institute of Stress in New York City, uncontrolled stress physically impairs more than 77 percent of people, and 73 percent suffer psychologically. Stress-related health care and lost working hours cost employers in the US more than $300-billion annually.
Aiken said:
“It is important to recognise that stress, per se, is not necessarily evil. The challenge is to strike a balance.
However, unremitting stress releases unacceptably high levels of cortisol and adrenalin into our blood stream, and the impact over time is a reduced immune system.”
During the first stage of burn-out, individuals become anxious and struggle to control stress. “They find that they are unable to deal with issues on a day-to-day basis, and may even ‘fall to pieces’. Sleeping problems, particularly early-morning waking, forgetfulness and difficulty concentrating are also early warning signs.”
The symptoms become more pronounced during the second stage, with warning signs that include absenteeism, lateness or a “don’t care attitude”, coupled with constant complaints of being tired.
“Procrastination, struggling to make decisions, becoming overwhelmed by their workload and starting to withdraw are all indicators. There is a danger too of substance abuse.”
During the third stage of burn-out, the so-called classic burn-out, the individual appears to be in a state of deep depression. “There is a chronic sense of sadness and fatigue. They may experience self-destructive thoughts, including suicide.”
Aiken said if you read any of these signs, especially the early warning signs, there is help.
”Studies have found that the consistent practice of meditation can improve reduced immune function. Some of the symptoms of burn-out are increased muscular pain and joint inflammation, often resulting in broken sleep,” Aiken said.
“Meditation has been shown to reduce levels of pro-inflammatory genes, resulting in faster physical recovery.”
One can also start by tackling one problem at a time. “Choose the problem with the highest burn-out potential that could be solved with concrete solutions.
“Adopt healthy eating and exercise habits, and set boundaries personally and in the workplace.”
Aiken said if you recognise that you are at risk, find a mentor, a coach or trusted confidant to help you begin to examine and reframe some of the – probably untrue – assumptions that cause you to drive yourself beyond a healthy level of endurance.
IOL. adapted from a press release