NFIB

Are You Headed for Burnout?
03/ 26/ 2003

by Vicki Gerson

The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health has determined that work can be hazardous to your health. People who are stressed and near burnout can suffer from cardiovascular disease, cancer, reproductive disorders, dermatological conditions, psychological disorders and other conditions.

Here are some signals that indicate you need to think about stress management.

You feel anxious and worried all the time.

Maybe your stomach is constantly churning and you find yourself worrying all the time about the littlest things such as if the mail was delivered on time or if the coffee pot has a fresh brew. Or you wake up worrying about finances or other aspects of your business or personal life. If you feel like you are in a near constant state of anxiety, it's time to get some help.

You are angry most of the time.

You shout at your employees. You shout at your family. You slam doors or throw objects. Your temper is becoming impossible to control. The littlest incident can set you off.

You have lost your problem-solving capabilities.

You can't seem to make the right decision and your thought processes don't seem clear.

You are troubled by daily headaches.

Many people under severe stress are troubled by headaches. Some people wake up with a headache every morning, while others get their headaches during the course of the day. Many of these people survive on headache medications and swallow numerous pills a day. Working when your head is throbbing is not conducive to being the most productive at work or making the best decisions.

You are very fatigued.

All you want to do is sleep, but you can't seem to sleep well or even find the time to sleep. You feel as if you are dragging yourself through every day.

You use alcohol to relax each day.

Alcohol may blur your problems, but it will lead to other problems. It is a dangerous coping method and should not be used as a means of solving your work-related problems.

So how can you help yourself?

It is important to learn how to relax. One technique psychologists recommend is to find a quiet time each day to relax. If listening to your favorite music relaxes you, play it while sitting in your favorite chair. Read a novel or a magazine, go for a walk, meditate or try yoga. Just make sure that you make the time every day for your chosen methods of relaxation.

If you are unable to help yourself, seek medical or psychological help. Untreated stress will lead to burnout and serious health problems. Before this happens, take action to stop it.

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