PERSONAL NOTE

I've been at the blink of burn-out twice during my escrow career and it can be a dark and lonely place.  About 8 years ago I had been putting in an outrageous amount of hours for several months; very little sleep and my life was completely out of balance.  One morning my roommate trying to help said "Well, at least it's Friday"....I LOST IT!!!... I cried, I swore worse than a drunken sailor, I yelled and this went on for several minutes.  I was shocked at my own reaction (didn't know I could carry on that way) and I think I scared my roommates.  I definitely needed the release of the stress yet in hindsight I realize that I should never have let my life get that out of control/balance. 

I expect this is probably happening to many of our doctors and nurses during this horrible pandemic.  Watch out for your friends and loved ones and if you see them experiencing things like mentioned below please be there for them, don't let them go it alone.

 ARTICLE

Best Way to Beat Burnout—Prevent It! 

by Jan Cerasaro

 “My candle burns at both ends/it will not last the night.” —Edna St. Vincent Millay

Burnout resists simple definition because it affects so many aspects of an individual’s life. In their book, Beyond Burnout, authors David Welch, Donald Medeiros, and George Tate, describe burnout as a condition that affects us physically, intellectually, emotionally, socially, and spiritually.

One of the first physical symptoms of burnout is fatigue. Intellectually, there may be a loss of creativity and sharpness in problem-solving; cynicism may replace enthusiasm. Emotionally, the loss of dreams and expectations can result in feelings of helplessness and depression. In the social realm, isolation overtakes feeling of involvement, and spiritually, the person experiencing burnout may feel a lack of meaning or purposelessness to their life.

According to a recent study before COVID-19, one in three Americans is expected to burn out on the job in the near future and, in the two years preceding the study, 14% of the workforce quit or changed jobs due to job stress. How can you avoid becoming one of the burnout statistics?

 First, recognize the warning signs:

• feelings of frustration and never being caught up--- I got the T-shirt on this one, years ago
• a feeling of lack of control about how to do your job or what goes on in the workplace
• emotional outbursts
• withdrawal and isolation
• dread of going to work—I got a T-shirt on this one too!
• frequent sickness or health problems
• increased use of alcohol, drugs, or food consumption
• a desire to quit (or run away) but a fear of doing so

Taking a few days off or a vacation to Tahiti won’t contain the burnout. Neither will simply leaving one job for another.  

8 Ways to Avoid Burnout

Don’t go it alone you need a support system

Family, friends, co-workers, a coach, professional organizations—all these support systems can help in times of stress.

Have something to look forward to

Take the time to set goals and objectives, review them with others, make sure they’re attainable and clear.

Recognize your stressors

Know your own responses to stress and develop a plan to manage it. Exercise, take breaks, eat healthfully, leave work at work, make time for play, and rest. Discover what works best for you and your body and practice good self-care habits.                

Challenge yourself

Look for challenges and opportunities to learn new skills and participate in activities that use your natural skills, talents, and abilities. Rather than becoming stagnant, you’ll be able to grow.         

All work and no play leads to burn-out

Seek a balanced and well-structured lifestyle. Avoid boredom. Determine what’s important to you and create a lifestyle that embraces and supports you.     

Is your cup half-full or half-empty?

Replace negativity with optimistic thinking. Feeling hopeless is a major contributor to burnout.       

Use your imagination

Look for a different approach to the same problems or unpleasant situations. Break free from your everyday routine. Let your workspace express your individuality.     

Laugh and do something fun

Humor reduces stress, promotes physical healing, is essential for mental health, and can add years to your life. No wonder they say laughter is the best medicine.   Watch a comedy show, tell jokes with a friend, remember silly things you did as a child.  Enjoy yourself.

 Author’s content used under license, © 2008 Claire Communications

COOL RESOURCE

When you need to laugh even if you are all by yourself you can go on YouTube and watch numerous videos of comedy shows or people doing silly things.  With the internet 24/7 you always have access to humor. 

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Please let me know if there are particular items you would like me to cover in upcoming newsletters.  Just email me at jancerasaro@yccbe.com

Stay safe, enjoy the holidays!!

Coach Jan