WIN THE BURNOUT BATTLE

by AMANDA NICKSON

The road to burnout is easy when you care for others. There is always more that you can do – more needs to respond to, more expectations from those in positions above us, from the people you serve, and more expectations for ourselves all add extra pressure.

So, why do we need to talk about burnout? Burnout can be devastating. Some people never fully recover or return to their calling. Prevention is the best cure and better than dealing with recover. The risk is real. The needs and opportunities can be overwhelming. We need to be able to stay long-term in the vocation we have chosen. Some ministers birn out, leave ministry and never return. Some even leave the faith altogether.

What is burnout? The Merriam-Webster dictionary defines burnout as “exhaustion of physical or emotional strength or motivation, usually as a result of prolonged stress or frustration.”

Stress is a state of mental tension and worry caused by problems in your life and work. Cumulative stress increases with each additional stressor.

We all go through stressful events in life. If there is some time for recovery, we get back to our equilibrium or balance. But what happens when there are several stressful events close together, one after another? The body and mind do not have a chance to recover – we are still in an elevated state of stress. Our “at rest’ stress level is still up. This can continue until our stress levels are so high, even the smallest final straw can break the camel’s back.

When our physical and emotional strength is totally spent and we feel unable to go on, this could be burnout. There are many indicators for burnout that are usually uncharacteristic of your usual behaviour, such as:

• Not wanting to see another person or hear another request • Having no concern for the welfare of someone else • Exhaustion or fatigue • Irritability • Negativity • Feelings of inadequacy • Reduced empathy • Feeling isolated • A sense of overwhelm or despair • Conflicts in relationships • Withdrawal and reduced intimacy • Insomnia • Purposelessness or a reduced state of making a difference or satisfaction • Reduced effectiveness and productivity • Tension headaches • Upset stomach • High blood pressure • Anxiety and depression It is interesting in the Bible, Elijah seems to experience burnout in 1 Kings 19. After Elijah’s great victory against the 450 prophets of Baal in 1 Kings 18, a person threatens to kill him , and Elijah runs away and hides in the wilderness. He appears to be exhausted and pleads with God to end his life! God allows him to sleep and provides food and water for him. God listens to Elijah’s worries and concerns. Elijah is reminded of God’s power in the storms and provision, and is soon restored to go on to a new task. Elijah rested, sought and listened to God and was then refreshed to resume serving.

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DR AMANDA NICKSON is an ACC Pastor, social worker and author based in Townsville, Qld.