#Positively Stressed - Week 12
As an attorney, I often hear plaintiffs in auto accident cases describe in the moments after the crash that they were “in shock”. While some might assume that this refers simply to surprise, as attorneys, we follow up with a crucial question: “What do you mean by ‘in shock’?”
Why? Because there is also a medical definition for “being in shock”.
The same principle applies to the term “burnout”. While many use it to describe feeling tired from work and other responsibilities, “burnout” is a medical condition – and I’ve experienced it firsthand multiple times.
My first experience with burnout was in college. Between a full course load, involvement in 5 student organizations (including student government), and working part-time, I pushed myself too far. In retrospect, my lack of self-awareness and the pressure I was under caused me to “burn the candle at both ends”.
It eventually led to me feeling so drained that I had to take a week off, feeling like I had the flu – missing classes and work. This was my body’s way of signaling that I was emotionally, mentally, and physically exhausted from the high levels of long-term stress.
This experience taught me the importance of recognizing the early signs of burnout and taking proactive steps to manage my stress (“self-care”). It’s one of the reasons I am now more conscious about my stress levels and my body as a whole (“mindfulness”) in my daily routines.
KEY TAKEAWAY – Burnout doesn’t happen overnight. If you’re paying attention, you (and those around you) can spot the warning signs before it gets to that point.
More to come on Burnout-related topics!
By: Stephen Delcuze, Esq. - Found on LinkedIn here.
