Late-Stage Burnout

Following up on 10 Signs You’re Reaching Burnout, covering the topic of stress and burnout explores the latter and even more sinister effects of mental and physical burnout – along with potential strategies for a healthier way of living.

It may appear to some, to be ‘shock tactics’, but having spent more than two decades attending people like you and me… my last post considered ten of the early stage symptoms to be aware of. Here are the more sinister possibilities we might well want to avoid altogether, where possible:

  • Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
  • Hypertension – elevated blood pressure over a sustained period of time can give rise to a number of unpleasant and debilitating conditions.
  • Cardiac Disease – enlarged heart and heart failure (Cardiomyopathy), or Myocardial Infarction (MI or heart attack)
  • Immune Deficiency – this may be switched off, viewed by the body as unnecessary when under duress!
  • Stroke – a bleed to the brain due to a rupture of blood vessels, or a dislodged clot or fatty deposits can lead to various levels of stroke. see also The NIH Stroke Scale
  • Cancer – due to the body switching off the balancing mechanisms for cellular growth and harmony, and, or irregular cell maintenance.
  • Premature Ageing – and shorter life expectancy.
  • Digestion – and weight problems; food absorption can be, and is, compromised when eating whilst under the effects of stress.
  • Mental Health Deterioration – including dementia related disease; for those who prefer a little more of the science behind structural changes that occur to the brain as a result of sustained stress see Chronic Stress Generates Long-Term Changes In The Brain Which Could Lead To Mental Illness.

 

It may appear to be ‘shock tactics’, but having spent more than two decades…

 

Now the Good News!

Exercise! But you know this, right? You have only to make time to introduce some ‘you’ time in your day or evening. You deserve this and it doesn’t need to be the stuff of top athletes; start gently with small actions and create a habit!

 

Plan time for YOU each day – or at least several times a week. Even walking is a very worthwhile pursuit, as long as you are walking for the sake of walking, rather than to be somewhere!

 

Are you really working efficiently? If you’re working longer than 40 hours a week, how efficient and productive are those extras? Can you actually be more productive, with more energy, when working more reasonably? To test this, start going for a walk and having a lunch break away from work. A minimum 30 minutes will make a significant impact on your afternoon productivity and state of mind! Try it, you’ll be pleasantly surprised!

Be more mindful and aware of eating your meals. Taste and observe the food – put the fork down in between mouthfuls! This is easier said than done, but you’re up for a challenge!

Quality time is… When you are supposed to be engaging or available to ‘quality time’, be there. When you are playing… play!

Play time

Counselling and Guidance – (Coaching)

We all need a little help along the way at times. It is a sign of our self-worth when we allow ourselves to recognise the time when engaging someone outside of our circles can motivate us more to find and recover the very best expression of ourselves.

People who do this as a matter of course? 

Any well known, top-of-their-game celebrity, industry leader (or sports person) who is in balance with their wellbeing… will have, at least in some part, achieved this harmony and efficient productivity with the support of an external ear! Do YOU deserve any less?

About the author

Bob Brotchie is a counsellor, mindset consultant and creator of "Conscious Living by Design"™. He writes for Anglia Counselling, is featured on various other websites and introduces us to many guest writers all covering topics related to mental health and wellbeing.

Bob provides bespoke counselling services to individuals and couples in the privacy and comfort of a truly welcoming environment at his Anglia Counselling company office, located near Newmarket in Suffolk, England. Bob also provides professional online counselling, for local, national, and international clients. The therapeutic models offered are bespoke to the client’s needs, especially those in receipt of 'childhood emotional neglect' (CEN), whilst integrating a mindful approach to psychotherapy and cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT) principles. For clients experiencing trauma and/or phobia, Bob offers EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing).

2 Comments

  1. brett turton

    Hi Bob

    I started meditation on the weekend. What a great help.

    I really enjoyed the blog about burnout.

    I have passed on your details to a friend of mine who may contact you.

    Cheers

    Brett

Comments are closed.