Building Resilience: Why Nervous System Care Is Key to Avoiding Burnout
We can do anything, but not everything. We can have everything, but not all at once. These are some home truths that landed for me after I hit my 2nd burnout.
Our society praises overworking and hustle culture, often at the cost of our well-being and mental health.
From a young age, we're told that we can achieve anything and everything we set our minds to. And so we strive for the impossible, reaching for the stars and pushing ourselves to the limit.
We shoot to the starts, using our own bodies as fuel, and before we know it, we’re a burned out mess, sitting in the toilet cubicle, sobbing into our balled up suit jacket. By trying to do everything and be everything all at once, we burn ourselves out.
So what exactly is burnout? Burnout is a state of mental, physical, and emotional exhaustion caused by stress. It can lead to a lack of motivation, decreased productivity, and a general sense of negativity towards everything in your life.
Let's talk about the five main signs that you, yes you, are experiencing burnout.
Emotional exhaustion:
You know that feeling when you wake up in the morning and you're already over it? That's emotional exhaustion. You feel drained, overwhelmed, and depleted, and it takes all of your energy just to make it through the day. It's like you're running on fumes, girl.
Depersonalization or cynicism:
You used to love your job, your colleagues, and your clients, but now you just can't stand any of them. That's depersonalization or cynicism, and it's a sure sign that you're burning out. You're feeling negative, cynical, and detached from everything and everyone, and you just can't find it in you to care anymore.
Reduced sense of accomplishment:
You used to be a boss babe who could conquer anything that came her way. But now, you feel like you're drowning in a sea of to-do lists and deadlines. You're not getting the sense of satisfaction or accomplishment that you used to get from your work, and it's starting to make you doubt yourself.
Physical symptoms:
Burnout isn't just mental and emotional - it can also manifest as physical symptoms. Headaches, insomnia, and other stress-related health problems are all signs that you're not taking care of yourself, girl. Your immune system is weak, and you're more susceptible to illness and disease. Ain't nobody got time for that!
Decreased productivity:
Remember when you used to be a productivity machine? Now, you're lucky if you can get through half of your to-do list. Burnout can cause a significant decrease in your productivity and effectiveness at work, and you may find yourself absent or present, but not really there. It's like your body is at work, but your mind has checked out.
So, what can you do about it?
First of all, take a breath and know that you're not alone!
According to a report by the Australian Psychological Society, women in Australia experience higher levels of burnout compared to men. The report found that almost 35% of women reported experiencing burnout, compared to 25% of men.
This report also highlighted that burnout rates were highest among women aged 18-35, with approximately 46% of women in this age group reporting burnout.
There are a number of things you can do to overcome burnout from taking breaks, prioritising self-care, seeking support from colleagues and professionals, and set realistic expectations and boundaries.
When it comes to preventing burnout, one of the most crucial steps you can take is to work with your nervous system. Your nervous system plays a vital role in how you experience stress and respond to challenging situations.
By understanding how your nervous system works, you can learn to regulate your responses and build resilience in the face of stress.
Practices like mindfulness, somatic experiencing exercises, and yoga can all help to activate the parasympathetic nervous system, which is responsible for rest and relaxation.
These practices can help to lower cortisol levels and reduce the impact of chronic stress on our bodies. By prioritising your nervous system health, you can build a strong foundation for preventing burnout and maintaining overall well-being.
Ready to regulate your nervous system?
The Nurtured Nervous System is a 12-week, 1:1 coaching program designed to help women regulate their nervous system, develop healthy habits, and create the life they truly desire.
