Fired Up? Or Burned Out?, by Barbara Bartlein, R.N., M.S.W.

I ask her, "Don`t you have a gas gauge?" "Sure," she explains, "but I forget to look at it."

"Don`t you have a little light that turns on when you run low?", I inquire.

"Yes, but I ignore it. I always think I can go a little farther," she sheepishly admits.

I`m thinking she just isn`t learning from her mistakes. But with a little reflection, I think many of us do this in different ways. We push ourselves when we are running on empty, we ignore the signs of burnout, and we think we can go a little farther without filling our tank. We regard our energy reserves as inexhaustible. Or worse, we view renewal time as a sign of weakness.

Think of yourself as a bucket. You take a dip from the bucket for work, a dip for the family, a dip for community work, and all the other demands. How do you fill your bucket up? Without an occasional "fill-up," you are at risk for burnout.

Symptoms of burnout:

• Feeling "down in the dumps" You may feel less energy, more dread than excitement about a new day. A new challenge is viewed as a burden, not an opportunity.
• Poor appetite or overeating -- Nothing looks appetizing. You find you crave the wrong foods, i.e., high fat, high calorie. The body is trying to refuel with quick energy.
• Insomnia -- A change in sleep pattern is an early symptom of burnout. Difficulty falling asleep or early morning wakening are aggravated by spinning thoughts and ruminating. Feeling tired no matter how much sleep time, shows you are past the point of quick renewal.
• Low self-esteem -- Rather than look realistically at your life, you feel something is wrong with you because you can`t handle the load. Why does it look so easy for everyone else?
• Poor concentration or difficulty making decisions--As overload continues, you feel "spacey," unable to think clearly. The brain is signaling the need for rest and renewal.
• Feelings of hopelessness--You feel trapped with few choices or options. Since creativity is waning, it is difficult to brainstorm solutions to find a better balance.
• Low self-interest and self-criticism--As productivity and quality decrease, you become self-critical. Without daily affirmation for your efforts, burnout intensifies.
  

• First things, First. Start with the basics. Make sure you are eating three healthy meals per day, sleeping eight hours per night and engaging in some form of exercise three times per week.
• List personal assets and attributes. Make a list of all the positives in your life to help regain a perspective. Don`t overlook one of our greatest blessings; good health. Make sure you recognize the family and friends that support your efforts.
• Honestly and realistically evaluate your work load. Instead of just trying to work harder...evaluate whether it is realistic for anyone to do. What can drop off your plate. Remember, little change leads to big change. A few extra hours per week can make a big difference in how you feel.
• Renew your body and your spirit. Take some private time for thinking, meditating. Make sure you take a family vacation at least once per year. Take an extra day off just for yourself. Spend a special weekend with loved ones and close friends. Make sure you are taking time for the things you truly feel are most important. Ursula K. Le Guin once said, "It is good to have an end to journey towards; but it is the journey that matters in the end."