Burnout-Balance Link

Burnout is a state of mental, emotional, and physical exhaustion caused by excessive and prolonged stress—typically due to a life out of balance. Burnout triggers a sense of being overwhelmed from being unable to meet all the constant demands made of you. Burnout leads to lowered energy levels, fatigue and exhaustion, and can push you to be reactive rather than proactive. As your self-confidence and enjoyment in life collapse, so can your health and well-being, to say nothing of your relationships and goals. Those who crash and burn are often those who think they are super-heroes who can and must do everything and do it flawlessly. No such people really exist in the long term—except on paper and in cartoon series. Many think that living in balance means spending the same amount of time on each segment of life that is important to you. Big mistake. Some areas need more time than others, some less. The problem arises when you neglect important areas of life, which if not balanced will negatively influence your ability to be successful and happy: sleep, exercise, good nutrition, fun and play, quality time with family and friends—and with yourself to think and envision.