Stress/Burnout
Stress is prevalent in virtually all life and work environments. Stress carries a high personal cost as well as a high cost to employers and to society. Workplace, marriage, family relationships, finances, life changes and health related issues are some of the areas in which stress is experienced. Some stress is in the realm that we can control. Other stressors may be externally or medically related.
Some key stress indicators are:
- Loss of ability to control your emotions
- Exhaustion
- Change of sleep patterns
- Observed changes in eating patterns
- Sighing.- laboured breathing
- Feeling unmotivated – boredom with life and / or work
- You may find noise, bright lights, people touching you intolerable
Possible burnout indicators:
- Helplessness / hopelessness
- Cynicism
- Physical, Mental and Emotional Exhaustion
- Doubt and Shame
- Failure
- Crisis
Much of the stress and burnout related difficulties which people face may be reduced or eliminated by understanding the source, the resources that support stress management, and the development of effective strategies which suit your personal situation.
The benefits of healthy stress management include emotional and physical health.
The following list includes some practical strategies:
- Undertake a review of your diet
- Get regular exercise
- Express your feelings
- Make sure you are getting enough sleep
- Manage your time
- Simplify your life
- Cultivate a sense of humour
- Cultivate friendships
- The Serenity Prayer by Reinhold Niebuhr is helpful here; “God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, courage to change the things I can and the wisdom to know the difference”.
Stress can be cumulative and undealt with can make you more prone to illness, both physical and psychological. With appropriate counselling support, you can take the first steps towards healthy stress management.
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