The Harsh Reality Of End-Of-Year Burnout
From this article your will learn:
- What causes end-of-year burnout
- How many people experience it in the UK
- How to recognise its symptoms
- What to do when you are experiencing Holiday Fatigue
It’s no surprise that the end of year can be a stressful time for entrepreneurs. Between family and social obligations, multiple demands and deadlines, it’s no wonder that 50% of British people experience end-of-year burnout. Unfortunately, with a third of employees planning to make themselves available to work during their Christmas holidays, this burnout could carry into the new year. In this blog post, we’ll discuss the causes of end-of-year burnout, its symptoms, how to recognize it in yourself or others and what you can do about it.
Causes of End-of-Year Burnout
The main cause of end-of-year burnout is stress. Stress can be caused by many things such as overwhelm with workload or feeling like you don’t have enough hours in the day to get everything done. Stress can also be caused by external factors such as family pressures or financial problems. All these things can lead to an overwhelming sense of exhaustion at the end of the year when all these pressures come together. Recently I heard from one of my clients, Mary who is a small business owner in Cambridge, that she feels like her time is completely out of control. She has no time to relax, or reflect on what she has learned this year. Mary feels like there is always something she should be doing, and when she is doing it, it feels like being on a hamster wheel.
Symptoms of End-of-Year Burnout
End-of-year burnout can take a toll on our bodies, minds and hearts. Flashy physical symptoms such as fatigue, headaches, muscle tension and restless nights may appear to warn us of the burden that lingers too close. But while they are the most obvious indications something is amiss, emotional and psychological signs also suggest difficulty enjoying our day-to-day life. From outbursts of irritability or bouts of moodiness to lost motivation or heightened distress; feelings of helplessness and fogginess contribute to potential detriment in well-being. Left untreated, potently pensive mental symptoms such as heightened levels of anxiety and depression might also accompany long nights full of rumination and struggles focusing due to unbearable discomfort.
How To Recognize & Combat End Of Year Burnout
It’s important for entrepreneurs to recognize signs of burnout in themselves and others so they can take steps to combat it before it gets worse. One way to do this is by paying attention to your energy levels throughout the day; if you find yourself feeling tired more often than not then this could be a sign that you are experiencing burnout. Another way is by keeping track of your emotions; if you find yourself feeling overwhelmed more often than not then this could also be a sign that you need some rest and relaxation away from work.
Most importantly, don’t forget about the awareness. What causes stress and overwhelm in the first place? Unrealistic expectations.
Do you often find yourself pushing hard and overworking yourself, trying to please your boss or a client? It’s because we’re consumed with fear – the fear of losing a source of income. But the majority of our thinking is fueled by superstition rather than facts. Fear leads us to believe in unfounded limiting beliefs which, in the long run, only serve to hold us back from success. In reality, pouring every ounce of ourselves into tasks is oftentimes simply an acknowledgement of our own insecurities — not a necessity for getting the job done.
Rather than setting unrealistic expectations and ideas in our minds, it’s better to remain mindful of what we are able to accomplish and hold realistic standards for ourselves. Keeping our expectations realistic can help alleviate burnout significantly. It can also be helpful to give ourselves breaks throughout the day, no matter how small or brief. This tactic allows for vital mental centering periods which enable us to tackle tasks with clear perspective. Structuring our days in a way that helps build resilience can be essential in distributing our attention efficiently. Try giving sufficient consideration to self care alongside achievement goals; the importance of stress management cannot be overstated. Remembering to look after yourself so you can do the best work possible is one crucial step towards avoiding burnout.
If you think you or someone else may be suffering from end-of-year burn out then one thing you can do is take some time off from work – even if it’s just a few days – so your body can recover and recharge before tackling any further tasks ahead! You should also make sure that you are taking care of yourself physically – getting enough sleep, eating right, exercising regularly etc., which will help reduce stress levels overall!
Conclusion
End-of year burnout is a very real problem for entrepreneurs all over the world but it doesn’t have to be something that takes over your life! By being aware of its causes and symptoms, recognizing when it’s happening in yourself or others and taking steps such as setting realistic goals and deadlines or focusing on self care activities like exercise and healthy eating, entrepreneurs can combat end-of year burn out before it gets too bad! So don’t let stress control your life – focus on taking care of yourself during this busy time so that 2023 starts off on a good note!
And if you like to be supported on this journey, by someone who has been there and developed methodology for never experiencing burnout again, you will love this Holiday Bundle!
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