E-Quipped to...Break out of the Burnout Trap

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E-Quipped to...Break out of the Burnout Trap

This newsletter refers to ‘Spurn the Burn’, a comprehensive article found on my website.

In my February newsletter I wrote about the importance of creating a healthy lifestyle - one in which all the different aspects of your life are integrated into a unified whole, but particularly taking time to relax - in order to stay sharp and be able to do more and achieve more. I shared the story of the woodcutter with you as inspiration to slow down to ultimately speed up!

The importance of sleep and how, by making sure you get enough sleep, you ensure that you are able to function at your most productive was emphasized in my last Newsletter.

Many of you will have read those newsletters and thought, “Yes sure, that’s all well and good, but I don’t have time for all this playing and sleeping - there’s work to be done!”

If that’s you, then beware – it could be a sign of burnout.

Image by: Colin

Burnout Equates to Taking no Breaks!

Two classic symptoms of burnout include:

Skipping rest and food breaks - continually having no time for coffee or lunch breaks to restore stamina.

Increased overtime and taking no holiday leave- feeling indispensable to the organisation and reluctant to say no to working on scheduled off-days.

The tragedy of burnout is that the more burnt-out you are the harder you think you need to work! You put in more and more hours but achieve less and less.

The 28th of April is the World day for Safety & Health at Work. It also happens to be the day we observe as Freedom Day in South Africa. I encourage you to take some time to reflect on the quality of your life – especially that of your work life.

Safe, Healthy and Free or Caught in a Trap?

Burnout means being trapped in a downward spiral of ill health and negativity. Other symptoms of burnout include:

Increased physical complaints - fatigue, irritability, muscle tension, frequent headaches, stomach upsets, susceptibility to illness, loss of pleasure in sex, insomnia.
Emotional changes - emotional exhaustion, loss of self-esteem, depression, frustration, a 'trapped' feeling, pessimism, paranoia, rigidity, callousness, feelings of loneliness and guilt, and difficulty in making and explaining decisions.

For a complete list of burnout symptoms read the full article.

Recognise yourself or someone you know? Now is the time to take action to prevent further ill health. Take the Burnout Test to find out if you are caught in the Burnout Trap.

What can I do to Prevent Burnout?

There are many things you can do to prevent burnout. Here are three suggestions:

Learn to breathe properly - this has an instant beneficial and relaxing effect on your body.

Take time away from work to ‘play’ – do things you enjoy doing that are not work related.

Learn the principles of good sleep hygiene - ensure that you regularly get a good night's sleep.

For further suggestions read the full article.

Share your wisdom with others… What do you do to prevent burnout?

Leave your comments here

Life Lessons

My Life Lesson Learnt in Vieux Carré

When we think of tourist attractions huge icons like the Eiffel Tower, Great Wall of China or Table Mountain come to mind, but certainly not little doughnuts! And yet in the Vieux Carré (French Quarter) - the oldest neighborhood in the city of New Orleans - is the Café du Monde, famous for its beignets....Read More

View all Life Lessons

What's Next...

Don't miss out on the following events!

tea-with-claire-title

Fine china, properly-made tea, dainty eats and stimulating conversation...

More about Tea With Claire

Click on the course title above for more information, prices and online bookings.

Basic Counselling Skills Course

This is an 8 session course, which takes place on Wednesday evenings, 5:30pm - 8:30pm commencing on the 6 August 2014.

How often have you wished you could really help someone in crisis, instead of offering well-meant, but ultimately useless advice? This course will equip you with the skills you need to help make a difference in people’s lives - in your home community, at work, through your church or simply within your social circle.

Event date: Wed, 6 August 2014, 5:30 pm

Click on the course title above for more informattion, prices and online bookings.

View all courses

Thank you for the Feedback

Thanks to Samishtha, Creesen and Deon for the feedback after last month's newsletter.

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Regards

New Content on my Site

In the media:

Look out for my contribution in:

Weigh-Less magazine. (Lose to Win)

Radio Al-Ansaar (Listen to Claire on Air online)

About These Newsletters

You may have been forwarded this email by a friend. In that case, allow me to introduce myself. I am a psychologist, speaker, trainer, coach and hat lover based in Durban, South Africa.

My goal is to inspire you to make the changes necessary to live the life of your dreams! I believe that by developing your YOU-Q - the term I have created to describe your unique intelligence, creativity and wisdom - you can find your Inner winner and live a Be-YOU-tiful life right now.

On my website you'll find more ideas to get you thinking about life, love, work and other important STUFF.

Contact me for more information or visit the website: