It’s one of those days. You oversleep, the car won’t start, work offers unscheduled meetings and interruptions at every turn, fantasies about desert islands reach triple figures, caffeine is the only food group and when you finally get home (having worked late) domestic bliss is little more than chores completed in a haze of exhaustion. Stress affects all of us and rightfully receives much attention, but a far more insidious illness that few recognise and for which fewer get timely help is becoming more and more prevalent.

Burnout is a state of emotional, mental and physical exhaustion caused by excessive and prolonged stress from a number of sources. As the stress continues, you begin to lose interest or motivation, which reduces productivity and saps energy, leaving you feeling increasingly helpless, hopeless, cynical and resentful. Do any – or even all – of the following sound familiar:

• Exhaustion, even after a good night’s sleep
• Insomnia
• Dreading work
• Hard work, less productivity, more procrastination and not caring
• Lack of focus and concentration
• Withdrawal from the world, including friends and family
• Increased or decreased appetite leading to unhealthy diet choices
• Growing depression, cynicism or feelings of negativity
• Increased apathy, lack of passion and inner creativity
• Lack of confidence, feelings of low self-worth
• Feelings of powerlessness or resentment
• Increased health problems: headaches, anxiety, gastro-intestinal problems, muscular tension, rashes, dental problems, etc.
• Memory lapses • Avoidance of or difficulty carrying out even basic tasks and responsibilities
• Escaping from the world through daydreams, fantasies, television, alcohol, etc

Burnout is a gradual process and by its very nature – apathy, withdrawal, depression, avoidance, etc. – professional help is often sought only when the physical effects become debilitating. This means that recovery will take time and require a multi-disciplinary approach under guidance of a professional. There is no magic cure and we urge readers who feel they may be suffering burnout to seek help no matter how difficult. In an increasingly fast-paced, stressful world, finding balance and caring for ourselves is no longer an option, it’s a necessity.

STRESS SOLUTIONS

Some activities and therapies that help relieve stress:

PILATES strengthens and balances the body. visit www.pilatesinfo.co.za or telephone 021 913 0947 for a list of practitioners.

YOGA has numerous holistic health benefits. To find out more, contact wendy wood – 011 887 2027 or Mary seegers – 011 682 2171 or visit
www.yft.co.za

A number of different MASSAGE
therapies are available, from shiatsu to ayurvedic, aromatherapy to hot stone. Ask around to find a therapy and therapist with whom you are comfortable.

REFLEXOLOGY is far more than a foot massage. information on its health benefits and a list of practitioners can be found at www.sareflexology.org.za or telephone 021 558 9868.

One of the best free therapies is a gentle WALK IN NATURE,
at the edge of the ocean, a peaceful forest or your even your own neighbourhood.