You get burnt out when the continuous stress of dealing with a difficult job or situation becomes too much for you. The most likely candidates for burn-out are hard driven, highly committed people who take on too many tasks or try to do too many things. They suddenly lose interest and motivation for what they’re doing.

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You’re at risk for burn-out if the following are true for you:

• You’ve been trying to achieve too much
• You are unable to turn down additional work, commitments or responsibilities
• You’ve been under intense stress and pressure for a long time
• You have high standards
• You don’t like to delegate
• You’ve been giving others emotional support for a long time
• You feel guilty when you spend time and money on yourself

Burn-out doesn’t happen overnight. It is a process that slowly builds up over a long period of time. Here are some of the most common symptoms of burn-out:

• Feeling of lack of control over commitments
• Loss of purpose
• Loss of motivation
• Detachment from relationships
• Feeling tired and lethargic
• Feeling that you’re accomplishing less
• Increased tendency to think negatively

If you’re feeling unmotivated and disillusioned with life, you need help. Contact a good mental health professional and do some of the stress management techniques recommended here. At least, take a break. Life is also about fun and pleasure.

How do I avoid burn-out?

• Make sure that you’re still enjoying what you’re doing
• Repeat to yourself often: I have a right to fun, pleasure and relaxation
• Get plenty of restful sleep, relaxation and recreation
• Learn and practice stress-management skills
• Learn to say ‘no’
• Constantly re-evaluate your goals and decide what’s important and essential to your enjoyment and appreciation of life
• Reduce your commitments
• Eat a healthy diet
• Use the correct food supplements to support you body and your mind
• Learn to delegate
• If others drain your energy, step back and avoid them for a while
• Exercise moderately, but regularly and choose something you enjoy

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