Burn Out

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BURN OUT

What distinguishes burnout is the feeling of helplessness-the conviction that nothing is going to get better.

Fortunately, there's plenty that you can do to combat burnout. Here's what experts advise.

Give yourself a break

One of the first things women who find their way to CenterPoin is to make a commitment, without judgement, to set aside 15 minutes for themselves everyday.

Recruite a stand-in

If you have kids or care for an elderly parent, ask your partner or a friend to relieve you during, your break.

Diagnose what ails you

If you feel burned out but don't know why, carefully observe what's going on when you feel distressed and take notes. Is your boss dumping a weekend's worth of work on your desk every friday? Does your husband drop the ball every time he's supposed to cook dinner or put the kids to bed? Are you overwhelmed by the demands of caring for a critically ill parent?

Speak up

Once you've identified the problem, it's time to talk.

Talk to a sympathetic other

Friends, co-workers or members of a support group can also help.

Take periodic vaccations

You don't have to go far or spend a lot of money. The idea is to get out from under all your responsibilities and get a clearer view of things. Again, if you take care of an elderly parent, enlist the help of a sibling or ask other family members to help pay for a home health-care aide or a respite-care worker who can fill in for you while you are getting R and R. The visiting Nurse Association in your area may be able to help with arrangements.

Reward yourself for small accomplishments

Don't rely on others to recognize and encourage your efforts. Divide each thing you have to do into manageable parts. Then set a deadline fo each part and reward yourself as you meet a deadline.