What is Burnout?
As a Black Therapist in Atlanta, I see burnout often-especially in clients who are high achievers. Burnout is a state of exhaustion that can be caused by being overworked or overwhelmed. It can come from physical, emotional, and mental stress. It is mostly related to work stress, but it can come from home life, relationships, and school. Burnout is a feeling of being drained and pulled in all directions, but unable to keep up with it all.
As a Black Therapist in Atlanta, I want to share some Symptoms of Burnout you should be aware of
Burnout can be physical, mental, and emotional exhaustion. The symptoms of it can be too. If you’re not sure what burnout looks like here are some symptoms to look for in yourself or a loved one:
- Lack of sleep or even insomnia
- Lack of motivation and/or creativity
- Becoming hard on yourself and your work
- Lack of energy throughout the day
- Lack of self-esteem
- Headaches
- Potential cold symptoms
- Stomach aches
- Anger or sadness
Burnout can look and feel like many different things
It’s important to take a moment to check in. Ask yourself:
- Do I have a hard time falling and staying asleep?
- Do I find myself zoning out when working or having conversations?
- Am I having more headaches than usual?
- Am I wanting to be alone more?
- Am I having irregular bowel movements lately?
What You can do about Burnout before it gets too far
Life can get so overwhelming sometimes we won’t even notice burnout until it is too late, and we start slipping into unhealthy coping habits. Taking time for yourself or checking on your loved ones every now and then is important. As a Black Therapist in Atlanta, here are some tips I suggest to prevent or cope with burnout before it gets too far:
- Find time to breathe or meditate for 10-15 minutes a day.
- Take time away from electronics. Put your phone down, turn the TV and computer off.
- Get active. Taking a walk outside, going for a swim, doing yoga at home.
- Do something you enjoy for yourself.
- Set boundaries.
- Identify your stressors.
- Seek out support!
These are just a few ways you handle some of the burnout before it gets bad. Recovering from burnout may take some time. The recovery process might even include working with a Therapist in Atlanta. You may be recovering from burnout if you notice feeling physically better or your productivity at work or at home is increasing. Whatever it may be, be patient with yourself and remember you are not alone.
