Burnout has been described by the Mayo Clinic as “a state of physical, emotional, or mental exhaustion combined with doubts about your competence and the value of your work.” This results in overwhelming feelings of frustration and anxiety that can have drastic effects on one’s health.
Unsurprisingly, burnout often stems from stress and overwork in a job. It is estimated that around 10 million people are suffering from burnout in America alone. While there are many treatments for this disorder, thousands fail to seek the appropriate help. This can be even harder to stomach if the person suffering from burnout is a family member.
You shouldn’t feel helpless if you want to help your family member recover from burnout. Here are some tips on how you can help your family member recover from burnout.
What Is Burnout?
Let’s dive into what burnout is a bit deeper.
There is a lot of research talking about what burnout actually means for a person, but as mentioned before, it basically boils down to a state of physical, emotional, or mental exhaustion.
It typically starts as minor stress over work matters but becomes more serious as time goes on. In long-standing cases, burnout can result in deadly consequences like a reliance on drugs or alcohol as a coping mechanism.
It can also lead to mental disorders like anxiety and depression that can negatively affect your overall health and negatively affect your loved ones.
How to Support a Spouse Suffering from Depression
How To Help Family Members Suffering From Burnout
If you have a family member suffering from burnout, the first thing to do is highlight how much they mean to you and show them all of the things they’ve done for you.
Try to show them their worth in your eyes and who you are as a person, because this will make them feel loved and special. Suppose the family member is willing to open up about their personal problems. In that case, it might be beneficial to try counseling or another form of therapy with them if they are amenable to that option.
You should also offer to take them on activities that will distract them from their worries. Offer to take them to a relaxing day at the spa, a yoga class, or to go get a massage. You can also some simple activities at home such as coloring activity can help cure anxiety. Anything that can help them relax will benefit them.
How To Prevent Burnout
To really get to the root of this problem, it’s important for your loved one to try and cut out or reduce all stress from their life.
Burnout is often associated with long hours at work or feeling like you don’t have any control over what happens in your life. You should encourage your loved ones, if they’re able, to find an income that works for them and allows them to work fewer hours. While this is tough for many, it could be worth it for your loved ones for the sake of their health. Consider switching jobs, working part-time, or even becoming a freelancer.
You should also tell your loved one to engage in regular exercise and adopt a healthy diet. It can be a struggle when someone feels burnt out as one of the last things they probably want to do is exercise, but it’s worth it in the long run. Same with adopting a healthy diet. While junk food can provide immediate gratification, too much of it will harm someone in the long run and will only worsen their mood.
Conclusion
Burnout is a tough thing to manage, but your loved one can get back on track with the proper support. It requires some deep introspection and effort, but your loved one owes it to themselves to seek a healthier life.
A fervent champion for holistic well-being, graces this community with her expertise in health and fitness. With a solid educational foundation in physical fitness and a commitment to empowering others, Sara distills her extensive knowledge and experience into actionable insights. Her writing, firmly grounded in evidence-based practices, aims to demystify health complexities and inspire readers to cultivate sustainable habits for a balanced life. As a certified fitness trainer, Sara offers a well-rounded perspective on wellness. Join Sara on this transformative journey towards a happier, healthier, and more vibrant you.
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