Recharging from Work-Related Stress
Stress, depression and exhaustion– burn out – can occur after losing a job or while on the job but doing the work of two.
Fortunately, burnout is fixable. Recharging can be done, without selling everything. An option is to enroll in a wellness clinic or give the following personal-battery boosters a go.
* Reach out. Isolation subtly boosts stress: more stress equals more burnout. Home caregivers, telecommuters, office workers stuck in a lonely cube, or daily job searchers are high risk jobs. The trick is to balance the alone time by connecting with like-minded folks. Join a job-search club or caregiver support group. Make time for lunch with office buddies. Network. Volunteer.
* Visit a happy place daily. Take a 20-minute pause every day. It will boost well-being and flood the brain with positive thoughts. Have a good laugh or try guided imagery for an instant mental escape. Walking (or biking, swimming, or rocking a fast, fun exercise video) reduces stress and increases feel-good brain chemicals, counteracts anxiety-fueled threats, such as jumps in your blood pressure, blood sugar, and bad cholesterol.
* Restore sleep. Daytime stress can steal hours of deep sleep and bad sleep makes the next workday more stressful. Use sleep-friendly strategies, like sipping herb tea instead of coffee after lunch. Relax with a good book and some deep breathing before bed. Avoid alcohol and bright electronic lights as these disrupt sleep.
* Reconnect with family. When one aspect of life swallows everything else– time with family, fun with friends, worship-it is a recipe for more burnout. Block out regular time for a hobby, dinner with the family, a massage, etc.
* Regain control. Find ways to feel in control as it is crucial for beating burnout. Make prioritized to-do lists. Devote lunch hours to activities that leave great feelings, like catching up with the office BFF, crossing off mini-chores, or stretching at the desk.
* Get a mental health check. These techniques are meant to energize. If not, talk to a doctor. Behind the feeling of “having it up to here” is deep-seated exhaustion and tons of negative thoughts. Behind that is chronic stress. The combination can easily morph into full-blown depression that needs professional help.
PS Counselling specialises in working with adolescents and adults who have experienced early childhood trauma, Borderline Personality Disorder, depression and anxiety. Find out more about Trauma and Counselling by visiting http://www.pscounselling.com.au/adults/depression