What causes burnout?

However, the problem arises when you find yourself in a perpetual state of “charging up.” The constant influx of stressors keeps you on high alert, leading to a relentless cycle that leaves you mentally and physically drained. Recognizing when you’re stuck in this stage is the first step to preventing burnout.

Asking yourself “Am I stuck in a stress response?”

After a stress response, you should be able to enter the rest-and-recover phase. Once the immediate threat has passed, your body and mind need to settle. It’s during this stage that your system restores balance, repairs any wear and tear, and replenishes the resources depleted during the charging up phase.

The challenge in today’s fast-paced world is that we often neglect this second stage. Instead of allowing ourselves the time to rest and recover, we’re thrown into the next stressor, perpetuating the cycle and leading to burnout.

So what causes you to get stuck in this stress response? There are many reasons, but these are 3 common ones:

• Chronic stressors: You get stuck in stressful situations that feel like they have no ending. Just when you think you know what to expect, another twist appears. The brain keeps you on high-alert, never moving into the recovery stage.
• Myths and stigma: Society creates a lot of false images of what it looks like to be strong. If you’re trying to “do it all,” your brain will continue producing stress hormones, and you’ll never get to rest.
• Protective instincts: Our primitive instincts sometimes tell us to suppress difficult emotions because it doesn’t feel safe to express them. When you don’t have the strength to fight or flee, you may reach out to others for comfort and support. It’s just as automatic and uncontrollable as “fight or flight,” but it takes much longer to be effective — meaning it requires a sustained stress response and our brains don’t get to rest.

Breaking out of the stress-response cycle

You’re built to do hard things and handle stress, but you need both parts of the cycle. You need to deal with challenges, but it’s just as important to return your brain and body to the rest state. Burnout happens when you get stuck too long in the stressed-out stage and don’t get a chance to recharge.

The next time you find yourself feeling burned out, try taking these next steps:

• Group support and connection: Connecting with others who have a shared experience can help to reduce some of the symptoms of burnout. Try joining one of Vida’s support groups to talk with others who are feeling the same way.
• Practice self-care: This helps bring your body and brain back to feelings of safety. Do things that you enjoy to recharge — like going on a walk, listening to your favorite album, or spending time with loved ones.
• Practice self-compassion: This includes knowing how to accept yourself, even in moments of failure. People who practice self-compassion tend to be more in touch with their own needs, helping to improve their overall health.

To learn more about burnout and how you respond to stress — and get tips on reversing the cycle — reach out to your Vida coach. Go to vida.com/member to learn more.