What do you do when you catch a nasty cold or an nasty gastrointestinal virus? You are sick and you are healing yourself at home. But what do many people do when they are not mentally straight? Or when they feel tired or exhausted? You reject these complaints as nothing, you continue by trying to get yourself together. Psychologist Ilona Bürgel says it is wrong and dangerous at the same time to continue in this state. Mental fatigue has nothing to do with individual incompetence, but it is a valuable warning sign that you are overwhelmed. It can turn into a burnout and then go on for a long respite.
What is burnout
There is no definitive medical definition for the term “burnout”. It summarizes the symptoms of physical and mental fatigue triggered by long periodic demands. However, many psychologists say that burnout, if left untreated, can turn into true depression and is a preliminary stage of depression.
When should I go to the doctor
When you start to feel tired and long for rest and relaxation, you should take action and make an appointment with your doctor. Even in times of Corona!
How to tell if I have burnout
You should recognize these 7 strongest signs of burnout and know how to best counter them…
1 If you feel very tired and cannot sleep
Mental work can cause physical fatigue. Especially when you work hard and the to-do list never gets shorter. Tension triggers all “fight or flight” reactions from time immemorial. It gives signals to the border system. Among other things, the body releases the hormones adrenaline and cortisone, which puts your body on alert. “The autonomic boundary system is subconsciously controlled and our opinions are inaccessible,” explains Libby Weaver. So if you are under tension all day, it will be so adrenaline filled that your body will fight until late in the evening. Even if you tell yourself you want to sleep now, you won’t be able to. To avoid insomnia, you should not drink coffee after 2 o’clock and do light exercise only in the evening. According to expert Weaver, light exercises like walking or yoga can release adrenaline. Heavy exercise, on the other hand, creates tension for the body and stimulates the production of adrenaline again.
2 If you’re more anxious than usual
You’re not actually the anxious type, but have you been getting symptoms like fear or even panic attacks lately? Beware, then you are on the road to burnout. Now is the time to incorporate relaxing measures such as yoga and meditation into your daily life. A few deep, conscious breaths will help with panic attacks. “Nothing makes body cells feel more confident than breathing,” Weaver said.
3 You cannot concentrate
When your attention shifts from intent to opinion, it is inevitable that you err or forget valuable things. This causes tension. Take a whole day off. Completely disconnect from your daily life for 24 hours. Not to get things done, but to concentrate entirely on yourself. Take a real time to meditate, take a long walk, and take care of yourself!
4 Mood changes
Are the pandemic, events at the office or at home weighing you down? Is your mood worse and lasting longer than usual with mood swings? Then you can turn to clinical depression. A psychologist can best explain whether your depression is a side effect of burnout or a harbinger of depression.
5 If you get angry easily
Quickly everyone has a blast or overreacts under pressure. However, if your daily demeanor is getting more and more aggressive, it’s time to apply the emergency brake. Remember: if you are mentally tense, you will be physically tense as well. Tip: get a massage. Because massages can help relieve both muscle and mental tension. A warm bath also relaxes the muscles.
6 You get an infection
The common cold and other physical ailments that never go away also make your body exhausted. Change your diet and sleep deeply enough to rest your body.
7 If you drink too much coffee and cannot focus
Do you think that drinking coffee in quick succession will give you more power in your hectic daily life ? Coffee increases tension and increases burnout instead of being more alert and fit. Instead, consume herbal teas. If you do not always fill your body with adrenaline, you will find that you will gain strength and calmness.
Note: Your body gives you many warning signs of burnout. Take these seriously and give yourself time to take truth measures. If a little time doesn’t help, don’t be afraid to honestly tell your doctor about your situation.
