In a previous post on schedule changes, I mentioned hidden causes of burnout. This post is about that. First, I’ll continue the story that’s related to it; then, I’ll give you more information on burnout in general and end with a fabulous resource I recommend.
Feeling burned out
Six months later, my energy levels still had not returned to what they were before my ICU stay for ketoacidosis and sepsis. No matter how much I rested, no matter how much I wanted to be excited to get up and go every morning, the energy just wasn’t there. My mind and body were at odds with each other. I felt drained.
I felt burned out even though it seemed like there was no reason for it. My work and the clients I serve bring me joy. At the time, I had some cool projects I was working on, like this one.
Frustrating as it was, there was a reason for it, which I discovered. It had nothing to do with my work or the people I work with, but I was burned out regardless. Hidden causes of burnout lurked in my life.
Conflict and burnout
The main hidden cause of burnout for me was an interpersonal situation that had been going on for years in a longstanding relationship. There were ups and downs, and in the last couple of years, it had been mostly down. Legally, I was not allowed to put a stop to it until recently.
The conflict was affecting my health more than I ever knew. In the hope of preventing the guilty party from going on the attack again because of this post, I won’t give identifying details. Suffice it to say that someone had been being horrible and taking up a lot of my time and attention. Just how much that had been stressing me didn’t become apparent until right after it ended.
My blood sugar levels had risen again to the 600+ range that put me in the hospital several months before. They were intractable (uncontrollable). I was taking seven times the amount of insulin I “should” have been taking, but it still wasn’t enough. No matter how much insulin I took or how often, my blood glucose level never dropped below 400 mg/dl and was regularly too high for my meter to read (over 600). There was no reason for it based on what I was eating. I wasn’t taking any medications that would cause it to rise, either.
Stress causing blood sugar to spike
What we came to learn was this: the stress was the reason. It caused my blood sugar to spike and stay elevated. Those high blood sugars were putting my life in danger again. The stress burned me out.
Just after Mother’s Day 2022, that situation changed. The change resulted in this: I reduced the number of opportunities for that person to harm me or other members of my household.
Instantly, we noticed several changes. Our home became so quiet. Everyone started sleeping more soundly. My blood sugar level dropped by 400 points with no alterations to my diet. My energy level went up noticeably, and I started feeling much less burned out.
Because of that, I started getting a lot more work done again. Until that day, I’d had no idea how much that situation had been stressing me out, draining me of my energy, and making me deathly ill.
Signs of Burnout
There are many signs of burnout, but some people are not aware of the problem until the damage is done. Burnout occurs when a person’s life is unbalanced for too long. It can be harmful physically, mentally, and emotionally. We will discuss what to look for and what you can do to detect hidden causes of burnout and then reduce or eliminate them.
Stress hormones
Relationships between chronic stress and hormone levels are not entirely clear. Cortisol is a hormone that regulates our sleep-wake cycle, among other things. Chronic stress elevates cortisol in the blood. A shortage of quality sleep leads to symptoms such as fatigue, mood swings, and lack of concentration. One common way to prevent burnout is to avoid the stressor.
Chronic stress can increase levels of cortisol and adrenaline. Chronic exposure to high levels of these hormones is associated with increased risks of depression, heart disease, digestive problems, and sleep disorders. It may also affect memory and concentration and has been linked to the development of cardiovascular disease. As I already mentioned, it was affecting my diabetes in a severe and dangerous way.
Workplace conditions
Employees experiencing burnout may not be aware of it, but there may be warning signs and hidden sources of burnout at work. They may have a poor attitude or lack of motivation. These negative effects may be misinterpreted by employers and coworkers as apathy or worse. Untreated, burnout can lead to clinical depression and other serious illnesses.
The average person can work at their peak productivity for only four to eight hours a day. As a result, employees may not give 100% to every project, task, or deadline. Managers must set appropriate expectations so no one feels overworked. Entrepreneurs and other self-employed people are in charge of doing this for themselves. For us, this means limiting our tasks, setting boundaries, and defending them.
Workers who are under a high level of burnout are twice as likely to visit the emergency room and to complain about work interfering with family life. This leads to poor performance and decreased job satisfaction.
The physical consequences of burnout are numerous. Cardiovascular disease and pain are two prominent examples. Burned out workers are more likely to report being absent from work for these reasons. Chronic stress may damage the immune system and deteriorate employees’ physical health. Chronic stress may also impair the functioning of the autonomic nervous system. In addition to overactivating vital systems, it can damage metabolism and immunity. All of these factors present risk, so we should take steps to avoid them.
Physical symptoms
Physical aches and pains are common in people suffering from burnout. This is because stress can lead to a wide range of physical problems. You may even experience heart palpitations. If you have been experiencing these symptoms, you may need to talk to a physician about your concerns.
Inflammation is another of the physical symptoms of burnout. It is triggered by the same hormones that cause high blood pressure. The inflammation can manifest itself in many ways, including joint pain and autoimmune disorders. While it’s not a serious condition, improper nutrition may exacerbate its symptoms. Consult a doctor if you suspect that you’re suffering from inflammation. Ultimately, the best way to treat burnout is to understand the symptoms of the condition and to get the right help.
Low energy is another sign of burnout. People suffering from burnout are frequently tired, even after a good night’s rest. The exhaustion can make them irritable and agitated, and they often snap when answering questions. In addition, they don’t enjoy activities that used to make them happy, such as exercise or hobbies. So, if you recognize yourself in these signs, seek help right away.
Mental and emotional symptoms can come into play, too. As well as causing physical symptoms, burnout can lead to negative thinking, anger, and aggression. In extreme cases, the symptoms of burnout may lead to a breakup or otherwise burned bridges. Relationships may suffer, and a career may come to an end. A person who has burnout can’t make decisions well and might try to postpone everything, even though that causes problems.
Self-medicating to cope with burnout
Self-medicating can be dangerous. It increases dopamine levels in the brain, creating a short-term “high.” Self-medicating can lead to physical, emotional, and financial problems.
People who are chronically stressed out often use stimulant drugs to increase alertness and energy. Others turn to sleeping pills to get better sleep. Both groups hope to combat exhaustion. That’s not the solution. There are numerous health risks involved.
The first step is to identify the obvious and hidden causes of burnout. Then, a therapeutic strategy should be developed. The person’s physician should identify whether or not the patient has a mental health condition.
Hidden causes of burnout
Sometimes, what’s causing your stress, exhaustion, or burnout is not obvious. Sometimes, there are hidden causes of burnout in your life. It’s worth playing detective to find out what’s going on. The hidden causes of burnout could be any of the following, or more:
- A relationship
- Your job
- Finances
- Your schedule
- Addictions
- Your living situation
- Illness
You might not be able to identify those causes on your own. Maybe you need someone to listen to you and help you discover hidden causes of burnout.
The Burned Out Business Mom coach MJ James has some great ideas for you if you’re struggling with stress or burnout. She has helped me to identify small changes I could make that will lead to big shifts over time, and I highly recommend her.