Burnout is subtle, it sits in the shadows quietly, often unnoticed. It can stay in the shadows until a time comes when your whole being shines a light on it to bring your attention to your need for self-care.
The shadows can be too much busyness and a sense of continuously needing to get things done. But this happens at the expense of our physical, emotional and spiritual health.
Burnout has been the focus of research studies for many years now. Michael Leiter and Christina Maslach assert that “burnout is an occupational hazard for various people-oriented professions”. They believe, as we all know, that our level of “personal and emotional contact is intense”, even though it can be rewarding. (Leiter and Maslach 2016) This intensity definitely can lead to burnout. (Maslach, C. and Leiter, M.P. Understanding the Burnout Experience: recent research and its implication for psychiatry. 5 June 2016. World Psychiatry)
Burnout is closely related to health issues that develop and if not dealt with can cause serious illness like heart failure. Do you feel more exhausted than usual? Or have gastrointestinal issues, more tension than usual, headaches or lack of proper sleep? Noticing these issues is vital for tackling your burnout before it is too late.
I believe that our intuition and instincts as Soul Carers or Palliative Care practitioners are very highly in tune for our friends and patients. However, we often tend to bury it for ourselves. How can we as carers for others place a bit more focus on care for ourselves? We are advised to, but I don’t think we do.
One reason why I am writing about burnout is because I ignored all the symptoms until I was forced to be booked off work by my insightful GP. She recognised the symptoms before I did and made me take two weeks of sick leave. The time forced me to investigate burnout and with her help, how to deal with it. Fortunately, she is a doctor who prefers a natural alternative route before medicating with drugs.
If you are a carer and feel as though something is not right with you, explore your body, mind and emotions. Mine deep down for clues to burnout and decide how you are going to deal with it. Be honest and gentle. It will be different for each person.
Things to consider are:
Physical
Gut health, blood pressure, muscle tension, headaches, chronic fatigue, flu-like symptoms, sleep disorder.
Emotional
Detachment, irritability, aggression, depression or withdrawal.
Spiritual
Hopelessness or helplessness
Social
Isolation or over-compensating with social engagements can be exhausting.
In conclusion, explore ways to get help before things get out of hand. There are many articles on dealing with burnout including from the World Health Organisation and other reputable places. Something will resonate with you, boldly take it on and deal with it, before it is too late.
