Tips For Recovering From Burn-Out

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Just about everyone from teens to adults have hectic schedules. It seems that there is always so much to do, yet so little time to do it all in. As a result, many of us push ourselves - and our bodies - to the limits. However, without adequate rest, the body begins to turn on you. This is known as burn-out. Find out what the symptoms of burn-out are and how to avoid dealing with this unhealthy condition.

Definition-wise, burn-out is your body’s way of reacting to extended periods of anxiety and stress. When you push yourself too much your body will pay the price. Common symptoms of burn-out include: depression, inability to sleep, loss of appetite, a tendency to be scatterbrained, succumbing more easily to stressful situations, inability to focus on regular daily tasks, and frequent illness. All of these are signs that your body needs to slow down and relax. When ignored, these symptoms will only get worse. So if you’ve noticed that lately you’ve been forgetting simple things, lack the energy to spend with friends and family, are more irritable and get sicker more than you usually do, it’s time to pay attention to what your body is telling you.

So what can you do to prevent burn-out without bringing your entire schedule to a complete halt? If you can make the time to devote to your hectic life, you can make the time for positive changes to help combat the onset of burn-out. When your body needs some R&R, you’ll have to create situations where your mind and entire body can slow down. Surround yourself in a positive and soothing atmosphere. To handle stress and anxiety, try taking up meditation or yoga. You can do this at your local gym or in your own home. Cleanse your body of the day’s worries by taking a soothing bath with essential oils and candles around you before going to bed so that you’ll be able to fall into a deep sleep. If you can’t squeeze in 7-8 full hours of sleep, be sure to include a balanced diet with a good multivitamin or supplement to keep you going. Some helpful supplements that work wonders for battling the symptoms of burn-out include licorice root, ginseng, B vitamins and Pantothenic Acid.

Because relying on too much caffeine throughout the day can cause the jitters and enhance your feelings of anxiety, do your best to lessen the amount of coffee or other highly caffeinated drinks you consume on a daily basis. Instead, opt for green tea or even chocolate milk to soothe your nerves. Water is also great for keeping your body and mind alert so have a bottle handy at all times. Throw alcohol out of the equation, with the exception of a nice glass of wine in the evening to unwind. When you’re not at work or tending to daily activities around the house, be sure to set aside some time to do things that you enjoy. This can be reading, writing in your journal, watching a movie or even taking a cat nap to refresh yourself.