Since I am doing some research and writing an essay on burnout prevention for counsellors and caregiving professionals, thought it may be useful to alert people on the signs of burnout which I believe is common across a wide range of jobs.
Burnout may be caused by prolonged stress, but it isn’t the same as too much stress. Stress occurs when there is great demand on oneself physically and psychologically. Stressed people can still imagine that they can be better when everything is under control. Burnout, on the other hand, is about not enough. Typical signs include feeling empty and lack of motivation. People experiencing burnout often don’t see any hope of positive change in their situations. ( Jaffe-Gill et al 2007 Signs and Symptoms of Burnout, Retrieved Aug 20, 2008 from Help Guide Mental Health ).
STRESS VERSUS BURNOUT
STRESS characterized by over engagement vs BURNOUT characterized by disengagement
Emotions are over-reactive vs Emotions are blunted
Produces urgency and hyperactivity vs Produces helplessness and hopelessness
Loss of energy vs Loss of motivation, ideals, and hope
Leads to anxiety disorders vs Leads to detachment and depression
Primary damage is physical vs Primary damage is emotional
May kill you prematurely vs May make life seem not worth living
Monday, August 25, 2008
Friday, August 22, 2008
That Red Capsicum
"When the part is sick, it seeks reunion with the whole"- Christmas Humphreys
If only at times we can still our mind and accept the wrath of that wild horse;
And let it settle for the night.
With the first light of the next dawn, it will be quietly resting in the barn.
Yesterday morning I received shocking news about the sudden demise of my ex-colleague.
She was 51. Twenty years back we were part of a lunch group of 6 to 8 accountants, and had spent much time laughing, gossiping about bosses and sharing about children, husband etc etc, until we had to go separate paths. That comradeship lives on and I believe is etched in our memory forever.
Needless to say the whole of yesterday found me in a sad and pensive mood. Whilst preparing for dinner,I took out a red capsicum from the fridge. Just as I was about to wash it, I suddenly notice its freshness and luscious colour, and I gave it few strokes and say to myself "Hey, this is so fresh". And then my thoughts go "She will never get to feel a capsicum again". That instance I thought how lucky I was to be able to enjoy the capsicum.
Does it always need something like this to happen to make us "live"? Why is stilling our mind to take in the moment so difficult? If only we can stand back and take in more of the world and not be so overwhelmed by our thoughts and feelings. I don't know, does it help? I wonder! But maybe I should practise more to see whether it works well that way.
If only at times we can still our mind and accept the wrath of that wild horse;
And let it settle for the night.
With the first light of the next dawn, it will be quietly resting in the barn.
Yesterday morning I received shocking news about the sudden demise of my ex-colleague.
She was 51. Twenty years back we were part of a lunch group of 6 to 8 accountants, and had spent much time laughing, gossiping about bosses and sharing about children, husband etc etc, until we had to go separate paths. That comradeship lives on and I believe is etched in our memory forever.
Needless to say the whole of yesterday found me in a sad and pensive mood. Whilst preparing for dinner,I took out a red capsicum from the fridge. Just as I was about to wash it, I suddenly notice its freshness and luscious colour, and I gave it few strokes and say to myself "Hey, this is so fresh". And then my thoughts go "She will never get to feel a capsicum again". That instance I thought how lucky I was to be able to enjoy the capsicum.
Does it always need something like this to happen to make us "live"? Why is stilling our mind to take in the moment so difficult? If only we can stand back and take in more of the world and not be so overwhelmed by our thoughts and feelings. I don't know, does it help? I wonder! But maybe I should practise more to see whether it works well that way.
Wednesday, August 6, 2008
To Let Go
The following was spotted when I did research about prevention of burnout in counselling practice. I think it is equally applicable for care givers.
To Let Go is not to stop caring
It is recognizing I can't do it for someone else.
To Let Go is not to cut myself off
It is realizing I can't control another.
To Let Go is not to enable
But to allow learning from natural consequences.
To Let Go is not to fight powerlessness
But to accept that the outcome is not in my hands.
To Let Go is not to change or blame others
It is to make the most of myself.
To Let Go is not to care for, it is to care about.
To Let Go is not to fix, it is to be supportive.
To Let Go is not to judge,
It is to allow another to be a human being.
To Let Go is not to try to arrange outcomes,
But to allow others to affect their own destinies.
To Let Go is not to be protective,
It is to permit another to face their own reality.
To Let Go is not to regulate anyone,
But to strive to become what I can be.
TO LET GO IS NOT TO FEAR LESS IT IS TO LOVE MORE.
Author-unknown
To Let Go is not to stop caring
It is recognizing I can't do it for someone else.
To Let Go is not to cut myself off
It is realizing I can't control another.
To Let Go is not to enable
But to allow learning from natural consequences.
To Let Go is not to fight powerlessness
But to accept that the outcome is not in my hands.
To Let Go is not to change or blame others
It is to make the most of myself.
To Let Go is not to care for, it is to care about.
To Let Go is not to fix, it is to be supportive.
To Let Go is not to judge,
It is to allow another to be a human being.
To Let Go is not to try to arrange outcomes,
But to allow others to affect their own destinies.
To Let Go is not to be protective,
It is to permit another to face their own reality.
To Let Go is not to regulate anyone,
But to strive to become what I can be.
TO LET GO IS NOT TO FEAR LESS IT IS TO LOVE MORE.
Author-unknown
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