Little Steps… To Understanding And Managing Burn Out

By Jules Allan

Hi I’m Jules, each month I will be exploring and looking at various mental health and wellbeing topics, sharing with you simple Therapeutic and Wellbeing Tools

My own experience of Burn Out

When I hit 40 I slowly began to burn out, it slowly crept on me without realising at first, I was often exhausted, very low mood, dysregulated a lot of the time not able to manage my emotions I started to get very overwhelmed with my workload and instead of saying no to more work I kept saying yes, the more exhausted I became the more I took on, I was permanently in a Fear state of ‘Flight’ and began to drop all my plates until everything crashed down around me. After many years of over working, over caring, over giving, unprocessed trauma Page 25 health issues and not having any health coping strategies I hit a very big wall and burnt out. At the time I had no idea what ‘Burn Out’ was I just knew that I wasn’t well and I couldn’t back to my old life and ways of coping

I felt so alone when I first experienced Burn Out and sadly lost friends, connections, community and work. Over the past 9 years I have begun to very slowly and gently rebuild my foundations, understand why I burnt out, exploring and learning about wellbeing practices that work for me, I began to prioritise my wellbeing and created a wellbeing tool kit that works for me

I am currently training to be an Integrative Counsellor and I hope to specialise in Burn out; working with people who are Carers in their family, people who work in the charity, education and caring sector and people who identify as having a disability or an invisible disability

What is burn out?

Burn out is a state of physical, emotional, and mental exhaustion caused by chronic stress. It can occur when we feel overwhelmed, overworked, and have little control over our lives Burnout can have a significant impact on our overall well-being, including our physical health, emotional health, and relationships.

It can occur in both work and family life and can have a negative impact on your overall well-being In work, burnout can be caused by excessive workloads, lack of control over work, and little social support In families, burnout can be caused by trying to do too much, lack of support, and feeling overwhelmed with the demands of caregiving.

Symptoms of burnout can include feeling exhausted all the time, lacking motivation, feeling irritable, and experiencing physical symptoms such as headaches or stomach aches. Burnout can also affect our ability to concentrate, make decisions, and perform tasks effectively

The impact of burnout can be far-reaching, affecting our relationships with loved ones, our job performance, and even our sense of self-worth. Burnout can also lead to other mental health concerns, such as anxiety and depression managing burnout, we can improve our overall well-being

Little Steps to support you in managing Burn Out:

Learn to recognize the signs of burnout, such as fatigue, irritability, and decreased motivation

Set aside time for activities that promote self-care, such as exercise, reading, or taking a bath

Setting boundaries between your work and personal life to avoid overworking and allow yourself time to recharge.

Take time to be present in the moment and engage in activities that bring you joy

Identify healthy ways to cope with stress, such as deep breathing exercises or journaling

Reach out to friends, family, Counsellor or a support group to discuss your stressors and receive emotional support

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) is a widely used therapeutic approach that can be helpful in managing burnout. Here are some CBT exercises that can be of help.

Remember taking care of yourself is not selfish, but rather an essential component of maintaining a healthy and balanced life By being proactive in preventing and

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Identify Negative Thoughts: When we are burnt out, we may have negative thoughts that contribute to our feelings of exhaustion and overwhelm. Identifying these negative thoughts can help us challenge them and change our thinking patterns. Write down negative thoughts that come to mind and challenge them by asking yourself if they are realistic, true, or helpful.

Practice Positive Self-Talk: Positive self-talk can help us counter negative thoughts and improve our mood Replace negative self-talk with positive affirmations and statements such as "I am capable," "I am doing my best," and "I am deserving of rest."

Focusing on gratitude can help shift our perspective and improve our mood. Keep a journal and write down three things you are grateful for each day, no matter how small they may seem.

Practice Relaxation Techniques: Relaxation techniques such as deep breathing, meditation, and progressive muscle relaxation can help reduce stress and promote relaxation. Identify and challenge negative beliefs that contribute to burnout, such as the belief that you must be perfect or that you must always put others' needs before your own

If you feel you may need extra support, it may be helpful to reach out to a Counsellor or Therapist to talk to, you can access online and in the real world sessions to support you.

Muscle Relaxation Exercise

Muscle Relaxation Exercises can be helpful in reducing physical tension and promoting relaxation, which can be especially helpful when experiencing burnout Here is a simple muscle relaxation exercise: a comfortable and quiet place to sit or wn. e a few deep breaths and focus on breath, allowing yourself to become elaxed with each exhale. ting with your toes, tense and hold the es for a few seconds, then release the n and allow the muscles to relax etely. e up to your calves, tensing and g for a few seconds, then release the n and allow the muscles to relax etely.

5 Continue to move up your body, tensing and holding each muscle group (thighs, abdomen, chest, arms, shoulders, neck, and face) for a few seconds, then releasing the tension and allowing the muscles to relax completely

6.Focus on the sensation of relaxation in each muscle group as you release the tension

7 Once you have tensed and relaxed each muscle group, take a few deep breaths and focus on the sensation of relaxation throughout your body

This exercise can be done as often as needed and can be especially helpful during times of stress or burnout. Remember to be patient with yourself and allow yourself to fully relax during this exercise

My Sober Curious Journey

Alcohol for me had a big impact on me and managing my wellbeing, over the years I began to use alcohol as a crutch When I hit 40 I burnt out and began to explore my relationship with alcohol and became sober curious, I would try dry January & Sober October, I would begin to feel better then would go back to drinking and it would slowly begin to be a crutch for me again, I explored the connection between my wellbeing, physical health, mental health and the impact alcohol had on me

I have become passionate about exploring my relationship with alcohol and the opportunities, friendships, connections and communities I have become a part of in the sober curious and AF world. I have been sober curious for 8 years and fully Alcohol Free since Dec 31st, 2019

My mantra all the way through learning to understand my relationship with alcohol and my mental health has been Little Steps I truly believe in this and will keep taking little steps every day on my healing journey!