Recognizing Your Need for Self-Care

Recognizing Your Need for Self-Care

How do you know if you need to take a break?

In the helping profession or as a woman entrepreneur it is easy to get overwhelmed and start feeling a little burned out. The trick is to recognize the warning signs and do something before you get to the point of quitting. These are also signs you can look for in your team to prevent their burnout as well. Self-care is the best way to prevent burn out.

Symptoms of Burnout that Point to the Need for Self-Care

• PERFORMING BELOW YOUR NORMAL STANDARDS —
• We all have days when things aren’t as perfect as we want them to be. However, a significant or lasting slip in your normal standards can be a clear warning sign you are worn out and need to schedule some down time.
• INCREASE IN NUMBER OF SICK DAYS, ABSENCES OR TARDINESS —
• This can be a subtle increase over time or come suddenly after a big event. Pay attention to the number of days you aren’t feeling well and how they correspond to things happening in your work. This can also be a passive-aggressive way to show dissatisfaction and fatigue.
• CHANGES IN ATTITUDE TOWARD THE NEGATIVE OR CYNICAL —
• If you find your positive attitude tougher and tougher to maintain, it might be time to consider a time-out to refresh and rest.
• CHANGES IN PROFESSIONAL BOUNDARIES —
• If you notice inappropriate professional boundaries in yourself or your colleagues, it can be a sign self-care is needed. Boundaries tend to be less important when you are tired and just want to get something done.
• SIMPLY STATING YOU FEEL “BURNED OUT” —
• While it may seem obvious, don’t ignore the things you or your team are saying. If you are saying you feel burned out, overwhelmed, stressed out or exhausted, it is a clear warning sign that you need some time to refresh and get re-energized.

What to Do with These Symptoms and the Need for Self-Care

• Give yourself (or your team) a place to talk about how you feel, why you feel that way, and a self-care plan so you can get back on track with your purpose and vision.
• Enlist some accountability for yourself as you follow through on your self-care plan.
• Address the issue regarding poor performance due to lack of self-care (i.e. professional standards, boundaries and attendance)
• Find a self-care partner – someone you can buddy up with to make sure you both take care of yourselves and stay on track in your businesses and lives.
• BE still and pray. Prayer is the most basic and effective self-care practice available.
• Remember – True rest and peace come from God!

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” (Matthew 11:26-30)

Need More Help with the Need for Self-Care and Burnout?

Blessings,

Karen Lindwall-Bourg