Put Your Oxygen Mask on First
Heart attack, depression, exhaustion, anxiety. These are all examples of stories I’ve heard from people who have experienced burnout. I remember years ago having lunch with a woman whose husband had recently passed away. I gently asked what caused his death. She responded ‘stress’. Her husband was in his 40’s.
We don’t have to wait until we have a severe health crisis to recognize that we might be burned out. In 2019, burnout became a legitimate medical diagnosis.
In a recent conversation with David Greenwood, author of Overcoming Burnout: Real-life Strategies for burnout recovery and prevention, he coined the term ‘co-founder’ of your burnout. He described this to mean “people need to understand that there are certain habits that they have in their work, as well as their personal life that contribute to burn out.”
We all play a role in our own burnout. I’m not saying this is an individual failing. Nor can we completely put the blame on employers.
What can you do to prevent burnout?
When your body is talking – listen. Recognize when your body is sending you signals that you may need to take a break, slow down, or change something.
Set boundaries to ensure that you are coming to work (and personal life) energized and excited to be there. If you are feeling pessimistic, negative, or detached from your work. Time to move to action.
Stay focused on your self-care practices. Remember the saying “put your oxygen mask on first”. The only way you can be there for someone else, is by taking care of your self first.
May is Mental Health Awareness month. Let’s all make sure we are taking care of our mental (and physical) well-being.
