Is it all you can do to drag yourself out of bed every morning? Are you irritable in situations where calm is the norm? What about stomach upsets or headaches? You might be tending toward burnout.

Burnout is simply exhaustion that happens when you’ve been overwhelmed for too long a time.  The symptoms of burnout don’t manifest all at once.  They ramp up over a period of time and can be overlooked at first.  Those symptoms vary widely.   Constant fatigue, eating too much, eating too little,  over sleeping or under-sleeping. 

But if you suddenly realize you’ve lost control over your life and you feel like a train speeding downhill with no brakes….you can predict a crash in your future….if….you stay on the same course at the same speed.  

If this is you, find some alone time and ask yourself some questions.   Can you better manage your workload?  Are you using your interests and talents in an enjoyable and productive way?  Adjustments can be made and it’s better to make them in a slow down instead of after a crash.   

Reaffirm the boundaries between your work and personal life. It’s okay to say no sometimes. Actually, you need to say no to some things.

Exercise a bit more.  Increase the healthy foods in your diet.  Establish a routine. And remember, there’s no shame in asking for help.  People regroup successfully all the time.  You can be one of them.

Today’s Peace of Wisdom says life is too short to be burned out. Just keep it at a steady warm.