Stress is the body’s natural response to a
perceived threat. But when stress becomes chronic and long-term, it can lead to
a state of burnout, which refers to physical and mental exhaustion that leaves
you feeling overwhelmed, drained, and unable to carry on effectively. Prolonged
stress can be due to a variety of reasons, some of the most common reasons
being pressure at work, strain in one’s relationships, taking responsibility
for one’s own poor health or that of a loved one, or the struggle to juggle
personal and professional life. No matter what the cause, burnout can make you
feel like you’re constantly fighting against a current instead of flowing with
it.

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Here are some common signs to indicate that you
may be experiencing burnout:

• Exhaustion and general fatigue are the
  first and strongest signs indicating burnout
• Decrease in sleep quality or quantity –
  finding it hard to fall asleep or stay asleep
• Lack of purpose, feeling of
  meaninglessness or worthlessness, reduced job satisfaction
• Lack of energy and creativity at work,
  monotony, simple tasks seeming more tedious
• Cynicism and losing a sense of the bigger
  picture behind your efforts
• Anger outbursts, irritability and mood
  swings or complete emotional numbness
• Excessive use of alcohol, or drugs in
  order to cope with the stress
• Gastrointestinal and digestive troubles, a
  weaker immune system so you get sick quick and frequently
• Anxiety, reduced concentration and
  motivation levels, procrastination

It is important to
understand that different people have different thresholds for tolerating
stress. Nonetheless, no matter who you are, burnout generally indicates that a
relatively long period has gone without addressing it. In other words, burnout
is like a car running on low fuel and is
currently running on fumes or has stopped completely. Repairing the damage is
much harder and more expensive than if the problem had been addressed earlier.
It is similar with burnout; prevention is better than cure.

Strategies to prevent
burnout include the following:

• Do not ignore the signs.
  Stress invariably reflects on your body and your mental state. The mere
  recognition and awareness of stress and the effects it is having is the first
  step. Make it a habit to check in with your body throughout the day: How are
  you feeling? Do you need a break?
• Get the basics back in order, such as
  balanced meals, exercise and good sleep habits.
  No matter how busy or stressed you are, make these fundamental needs a priority
  and on a schedule, which will help you endure the period of stress without
  leading to burnout.
• Ask
  for help. All too often, people miss out on the cues their body
  is giving them due to a mixture of denial, a misconception that they can handle
  it and a stubbornness to take help from others. Do not be afraid to ask for
  help, delegate tasks and take a break.
• Do
  not go for short-term gain at the expense of long-term loss. Spreading
  yourself too thin is not doing you or your work any favours in the long run.
  Work will always come your way, there will always be “just one more thing” on
  your to-do list, there will always be another demand to meet.

Pace yourself, because
working too intensely for too long comes at the cost of physical and emotional
well-being. Don’t ignore the signs of stress and make the wiser choice: prevent
burnout by addressing your stress appropriately when it is happening.