Just because you don’t have a long history of depression, anxiety or another mental health illness, it doesn’t mean you are immune to mental health issues. Prolonged periods of stress, lack of prioritization in life, an/or being part of a poorly designed work environment can rapidly lead to energy depletion and burnout.
I was shocked when I realized I had a mental issue.
Throughout my life and career, I’ve been praised for being able to sleep very few hours, handle an insane amount of tasks and excel at them, all while staying relentlessly positive. I was truly shocked when I got “moderate burnout” as a result of our burnout test. As a matter of fact, research shows that the more you do and the more committed you are to your job, the faster you can reach chronic levels or burnout.
Burnout has become a career finisher.
According to a Gallup survey, 85% of individuals “hate their jobs” and half of millennials plan to quit their jobs within the next two years. Once individuals are left with totally depleted levels of energy, the overall dissatisfaction with their jobs and lives starts clouding their judgement. In many cases, it can result in a spiral of new hobbies, jobs and life decisions that lack clarity and purpose.
Listen to modern science to survive the burnout crisis.
The in-house productivity coach at Google, Laura Mae Martin, says we’ve reached “epidemic levels” when it comes to burnout. And, this impact extends beyond the workplace environment. Our physical health, financial wellness, and social and personal relationships also suffer.
If you want to avoid this phenomenon, you need to start by committing to lifestyle adjustments. “People and companies have to move away from the idea that productivity is at odds with personal well-being. All of modern science is basically proving this wrong and validating ancient wisdom that human beings — the human operating system — needs sleep, needs time to recharge, and these are not optional.” – Arianna Huffington
It’s better to focus on sustainable changes, even if they only represent a small step. Slowly build emotional resilience into your life, regain control and perspective of your goals, and become a master of prioritization.
Ask for help if you need it.
If you have the flu, you go to the doctor. If you have a mental illness, you go to a therapist. So just know there are specialists that can also help you regain perspective, reduce the trial/error that takes to create better lifestyle habits, and break down your goals into achievable milestones. They’re called personal coaches and they can make a huge difference in only a few sessions.
Start your wellness journey by taking this short burnout assessment.