How Burnout Changed My Life And Why You Shouldn’t Ignore It
Written by: Kinga Zerhouni, Executive Contributor
Executive Contributors at Brainz Magazine are handpicked and invited to contribute because of their knowledge and valuable insight within their area of expertise.
It seems like everybody feels burnout these days. The stress of the pandemic mixed with the pressure at work, online learning, and not enough support has affected all of us profoundly. And yet, most people try to push through their exhaustion, frustration, stress, and anxiety. Struggling to keep your head above the water feels like new normal right now.
But burnout isn’t something you should push through. When you reach burnout, your body crashes, and you’re not able to meet the demands of your life anymore.
I remember feeling like that when I experienced burnout in my life. That was the time when my youngest child was born. At that time, I was a stay-home-mom with a newborn, a toddler, and a preschooler. My days were filled with taking care of my family, keeping my house organized, and being with my kids.
I did not take time for myself. What’s more, I felt guilty for taking time to rest because of the never-ending to-do list. I would stay late at night after all day of running to catch up on chores I couldn’t finish during the day. On top of that, my nights were filled with nursing and comforting my kids as they woke up multiple times a night.
I was exhausted physically and emotionally. I felt like I was losing part of myself. I didn’t enjoy motherhood. I couldn’t keep up anymore with my daily life. My hair started to fall out. I couldn’t focus and recall conversations. I was experiencing an emotional rollercoaster as my hormones were completely out of balance. My skin was dry and dull, covered with eczema. It seemed like my whole body was falling apart.
Over time I realized that constantly pushing myself beyond my limits and always putting my family first before my own needs weren’t serving me. I had to make changes.
You might be going through burnout as well and feel like there isn’t a way out. It all starts with you deciding to make yourself a priority. It may not feel comfortable at first, but it’s necessary to get your life and health back finally.
I’ve learned from the burnout three valuable lessons that changed how I see my life today:
1. I can take care of my family better when I first take care of myself.
If you are a woman, giving is part of your DNA. But it also can be a recipe for burnout in our modern lives filled with long hours at work, after-school activities, and the pressure to be a perfect mom. Our never-ending to-do lists don’t leave much room for rest.
But when you feel your best, you have more energy, a steady mood, and a clear mind. You can play with your kids after you come home from work. You can keep your cool when your kids leave a messy room again. You don’t have to wonder why you feel foggy all the time and keep stumbling on words during conversations.
Think about what simple self-care practice you can incorporate into your life to help you recharge daily.
2. Boundaries protect my well-being and my health.
We all have our limits on how much we can handle. However, we constantly push our boundaries to accomplish what others expect from us and what we want in life. But it comes with a price of broken health.
Respecting your personal limits is the ultimate self-care. Knowing your limits protects your wellbeing and helps you find a balance between what you need and what other people need from you.
How can you tell if you have reached your tipping point?
You blow up over small things.
You have a hard time focusing.
You feel overwhelmed with your daily tasks.
You experience physical symptoms like headaches and joint pain.
When you become aware of your limits, you can develop daily self-care practice to help you stay within your healthy boundaries.
3. Getting support is necessary to create balance in my life.
Don’t be afraid to ask for help.
I used to think that being a good mom meant I had to be always available for my kids. I felt guilty for taking breaks and letting other people take care of them. But lack of support has led me to burnout.
You cannot do everything yourself all the time. Asking for help is part of your self-care. Creating a good support system allows you to find balance in your work life, family life, and personal needs.
Our modern life is filled with constant pressures to perform at the highest level, be a perfect mom, and be connected all the time. Unfortunately, it is a recipe for burnout. Putting your wellbeing as a priority, getting clear on your boundaries, and building a support system can help you prevent burnout and find more balance in your life.
Kinga Zerhouni, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine
Kinga Zerhouni is a Board-Certified Functional Wellness Coach helping women reverse burnout and fatigue naturally by following simple lifestyle changes designed to re-energize the body and mind. She wants to empower women to take charge of their health and find the root causes of their fatigue because feeling tired all the time is not normal. When she is not working with clients, you can find her spending time with her family taking nature walks and playing sports.
