What to do when you feel burned out?

Work burnout isn't just about exhaustion or disinterest. Find out some lesser-known signs to look out for.

In Episode 38, here's what's on the agenda:

đź’ˇ Insight: What is burnout?

đź“° Unpopular Opinion: Wrong mindset can also contribute to burnout

🧰 Expert Interview: How to Avoid Burnout | Dr. Cal Newport & Dr. Andrew Huberman

✨Food For Thought: 8 Ways to beat burnout

Insights:

Sometimes, we all feel like saying, “I just can’t do this.” It’s when you’re really tired, have no energy left, feel too much pressure, and can’t deal with life’s challenges.

When you think, “I can’t go on,” it probably means you’re very stressed out. This is called burnout.

Feeling this way isn’t nice, but it can also be a sign that you need to change something. It’s a chance to find new ways to handle stress.

Let’s look at what burnout is, why it happens, what you can do about it, and when you might need to get help from a doctor or counselor.

What is Burnout? Burnout is when you’re so stressed for a long time that you feel empty and don’t care about things anymore. You’re tired all the time and can’t keep up with everything you need to do.Boosting focus is crucial for improving life.

Unpopular Opinion

Wrong mindset can also contribute to burnout

In my opinion, burnout isn't solely caused by external factors like workload or stress.

I believe our mindset and resilience play a big part too.

Photo by Zac Durant on Unsplash

How we handle stress matters a lot. For example, if we develop good coping strategies, set boundaries, and balance work and life, we're less likely to burn out.

Blaming external factors alone can make us feel powerless. Instead, I think we should take responsibility and find solutions, like practicing mindfulness or seeking support.

So, while external factors matter, our response to stress matters just as much.

By focusing on building resilience and adopting a positive mindset, we can better navigate challenging situations and prevent burnout.

Expert Interview

How to avoid burnout | Dr. Cal Newport & Dr. Andrew Huberman

Dr. Cal Newport and Dr. Andrew Huberman explain that burnout happens when we have too many emails to check and too many meetings to attend, leaving us with little time for the work that really matters.

This makes us feel tired and less interested in our jobs. It’s not about how much work we have, but whether it feels important and rewarding.

This constant preoccupation with the administrative side of work leads to a sense of exhaustion that’s hard to shake off. It’s not just the sheer volume of work that’s the issue, it’s that the work isn’t fulfilling.

We’re not burning out because we have too much to do; we’re burning out because what we’re doing feels trivial and unimportant.

Food For Thought:

8 Ways to beat burnout

Here’s a quick list of tips to help you deal with burnout:

  1. Talk to a therapist for support

  2. Let trusted people know you’re struggling

  3. Clearly state what you need from others

  4. Practice self-compassion and don’t be too hard on yourself

  5. Keep an eye on your stress levels and take action when they’re high

  6. Write down your thoughts and feelings to understand them better

  7. Try different ways to reduce stress, like meditation or hobbies

  8. Learn to say no and set clear boundaries for work and personal life

Remember, taking steps to manage burnout is crucial for your well-being.

Closing Thoughts: 

Managing stress is an essential part of life that everyone needs to master.

To develop a positive relationship with work, incorporate small acts of self-care into your daily routine.

This can include taking short breaks to relax, practicing mindfulness or meditation, enjoying a hobby, or spending time with loved ones.

These small actions can help reduce stress, boost your mood, and make your workday more enjoyable. Prioritizing self-care helps you stay refreshed and more productive, creating a healthier and more balanced approach to work. 

I know it’s easier said than done and it's perfectly fine to seek extra support when you need it. Lean on friends, family, or professionals to help manage daily stress.

Regular self-care isn't a luxury. It's a necessity.

By prioritizing both your work and personal well-being, you can improve your overall health and resilience.

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Best regards,

Faiza Yousuf

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