Dear Friends & Colleagues,

 

How are you ? I hope you are all enjoying extremely good health. The year is comming to an end and once again its time to make resolutions. So what are your resolutions ? I would love it if some of you can share the same with me. Maybe I can help you stick to them.

 

Today I am sharing with you all an article on burnout. Have a wonderful week ahead.

 

With Regards,

 

Dr Rajesh Parekh

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Cooling down

For those who work hard, stretching their mind and body to the limit, should realize that at times they do need to take that day or week off just to recharge their batteries.

It’s important to pay attention to the little signals that your body and mind send out. Do you always feel tired and irritable at the end of the day? Are there days when you feel like staying in bed? Do you feel tense at work and keep snapping at your colleagues? Do you get depressed if something small goes wrong? These are signs that you need to slow down before you run the risk of a burnout.

Burnout is a psychological term for long-term exertion and diminished interest, usually in the work context. It is a condition in which the body gives way due to excessive activity without proper rest. “A burnout is similar to lighting a candle at both ends – you only cause it to burn faster,” explains Dr Harish Shetty, social psychologist, Dr LH Hiranandani Hospital. “You are not respecting the needs of the body and the mind, which causes a disruption in the circuits of the body, especially the neuro-endocrinal circuit,” he adds.

It is becoming an increasingly common condition, among all walks of life; especially prevalent among corporate executives, white-collar workers and students. An increase in working hours – from 8 hours to 12 hours (and in the case of students, the homework from school/college and tuitions), travel time, and lack of rest has resulted in a lot of tired faces, and stressed-out minds.  

Burnouts are bad for your health. According to Dr Shetty, the disruption in the neuro-endocrine circuits of the body leads to an increase in secretion from the hypothalamus, adrenal and pituitary glands. There is also an increase in the steroidal hormone levels and fluctuation in the leptin levels of the body, as well as an increase in glucose breakdown.  If not controlled, the burnout can lead to serious health problems such as high blood pressure, heart diseases, diabetes mellitus, mood swings, a loss of memory and thinking power, and ulcers.

Just like a car needs a tune up, so do our bodies so that they can continue giving optimum performance. So stop for a while, get off the treadmill of life and recharge your batteries.

• Take a break: It’s important to take a day off from work now and then. It’s not called ‘goofing off’, just ‘recharging your batteries’. Sometimes you may need to take a week off. So go on that holiday with your family or just by yourself. Open the guidebook and explore a new place or just chill at the beach. Nothing like a good dose of sunshine and blue water to rejuvenate you. Even if you cannot take time of from work, at least make sure you take small breaks every now and then during the course of your work day.
• Share your feelings: According to Dr Shetty, emotional disconnectivity is one of the major causes of a burnout. It is there for extremely important to have an active emotional life, and remain emotionally well-connected with the people around us. Share your feelings with your family and your friends. Remember, they can be a good sounding board and help you sort out most of your problems. 
• Be a buddy: Sometimes helping others makes us forget our own problems. Volunteer at a local NGO, teach street children and help them build a better life. You will realize that your problems are not insurmountable.
• Take time out for your self: Ddon’t try to please the world at every stage. Take up a hobby, read a book, listen to music, learn to play an instrument, or simply relax doing some pranayama.