Virginia WaltonWe have talked about how our calendars are filling up and creating chaos on our time and how to push it back, but what about when you just can’t process another thought.
As I have talked to various women on burnout there was a common theme- breaking point.
First, if you get to the point where you recognize you need a break, kudos! That is the first step. Some signs include, lack of excitement for work, low on patience with everyone, for me it was co-workers appearing in my dreams. No, I was not dreaming about work, they were just in my mental space 24/7. So even worse than dreaming about work!
If you have not yet learned your own signs, start taking notice. Look for changes in your energy level, your engagement level at work or in the activities you enjoy- if they aren’t fun like they usually you’re your patience level with those around you as well as changes in your temperament and tone. Is everyone annoying you? If any of this sound familiar, odds are you need a break. You may physically feel fine, but clearly your mental game is running low.
Once you learn your pattern, you can get in front of things. The sooner you realize you are getting run down mentally or physically you can start to get back on track. They first step is awareness.
The next is accepting you need to adjust. My one friend accepts that she needs to just veg out in front of the TV binge watching and not do anything productive or that requires mental energy. Others take a few days to completely disconnect from work or get away without the spouse and children.
If you try to push through the mental exhaustion, you are only going to feel worse and most likely drive those around you in the opposite direction you want. Another words, if you are pushing your staff and co-workers to finish a project, meet a deadline, get to a resolution, the harder you push from this mentally exhausted place, the less likely they will perform because you will frustrate them along the way. If the kids know, ‘mom is going to blow when she sees this kitchen’ they will just scatter and you will still come home to a messy kitchen. For me, when my mind gets overwhelmed with the demands of business, community, church and family, my body says “we are taking a break”. I literally cannot focus or keep my eyes open. I have learned I need to listen to my body, which sounds easy, but in the past, it was not. I’d fight it until it hit a hard stop and my body would just shut down regardless of where I was, which meant I could be in a meeting or even driving!
The point is the mental weight of all these demands has an impact on us and it shows up physically in our patience and energy level. We actually end up losing our precious productivity the longer we push on.
Ideally, we want to get to the point where you are managing things so you do not experience this exhaustion but let’s be real it will happen at times. Here are the keys to remember:
- Learn the changes in your behavior that indicate you are getting run down
- Once you know the signs, listen to them! Fighting or trying to push through is worse
- Find what works best for you to rest and recharge
- Binge watch something funny
- Read a trashy novel
- Sit with your toes in the sand or near water
- Sleep!
- Get away