Do you ever feel like you’re burnt out?
Like nothing is going your way and you can’t even remember the last time you felt excited about life?
If so, this challenge is for you.
Welcome to Day 1 of the Workout to Heal Burnout Challenge!
Recently a student of mine mentioned she was struggling with burnout and hoped I might make a Pilates or yoga video around that idea. Little did she know, I left a job earlier this year that left me feeling truly burned out!
Instead of creating a single video on this topic, I’ve made a whole 7 day Pilates and yoga challenge!
So if you’ve been feeling tired, overwhelmed, or exhausted, this could be just the thing you need to help you feel more energized and inspired!
Let me start by introducing myself!
You might already know and take classes with me frequently on YouTube or my Membership, but if you are new here:
Hi Friend! My name is Kait and I have been teaching Pilates, yoga, and fitness classes for over 15 years and have worked with students of all levels and abilities. My goal for all of my students is to make exercise enjoyable and accessible! Strengthening your body and improving your flexibility shouldn’t feel like torture! My goal is for you to love your workout and love your body!
The Workout to Heal Burnout 7 Day Challenge is designed so that each day you get a little tip from me and can do a different Pilates or yoga video to feel recharged. They are all short, sweet and will leave you feeling refreshed and renewed!
Check out the whole video and class here!
So what is burnout?
Burnout is a state of mental and physical exhaustion that can result from chronic stress. It’s different from depression, although there are some similarities. For example, both burnout and depression have been linked to low levels of serotonin in the brain.
While you may experience symptoms of burnout during a stressful period, it can also happen as a result of long-term stress or short-term periods of intense stress (like an unexpected deadline).
The WHO defines burnout as:
Burn-out is a syndrome conceptualized as resulting from chronic workplace stress that has not been successfully managed. It is characterized by three dimensions:
feelings of energy depletion or exhaustion;
increased mental distance from one’s job, or feelings of negativism or cynicism related to one’s job; and
reduced professional efficacy.
What are signs of burnout?
Signs of burnout include but are not limited to:
- Being cynical about the job or your role within the organization
- Having difficulty concentrating on work tasks
- Increased emotional exhaustion
- Diminished personal accomplishment and professional efficacy
- Decreased work engagement
- Depressed mood
- Lack of motivation
- Increased fatigue and exhaustion
- Feeling exhausted and unable to get out of bed in the morning.
What are causes of burnout?
Burnout is caused by a combination of factors, including:
- Poor workplace conditions, such as long hours and low pay
- Having too much responsibility for too little control over how one does their job
- Working in an environment without meaning or purpose
- Being part of a dysfunctional work culture that promotes negativity and indifference
- lack of support at your job
- lack of work life balance
My Personal Experience with Burnout
Early this past year, I left a toxic job that at one time I thought was my dream job! However, working in a corporate environment was not all it was cracked up to be! I had a lot of responsibility, but little control. Although I was given the opportunity to make decisions, they were often not respected by my superiors. The culture was toxic, riddled with misogyny and nepotism, and I found myself constantly having to defend my position against people who had power over me.
When I left, I thought I would bounce right back! Be ready to create more YouTube videos, classes for my members, and take on more private clients.
But I was completely unprepared for just how exhausted I was, and how I lacked any motivation to work on projects that usually brought me joy. I was so burned out, I didn’t have any energy to do what I loved.
A light at the end of the tunnel!
Luckily, in the past few months, I have given myself the space, time, and self care needed to really recuperate from burnout.
And I am so glad that I did! Now, I have the energy to focus on what’s important. Instead of just churning out content for my business, I am working on projects that bring me joy and help me grow as a person.
Plus this means, I now have several tips and tricks to share with you when it comes to burnout!
I do want to make the note, I am not a medical professional! These are my own personal thoughts and experiences. You should always listen to your own body, talk to your doctor, and make sure you are doing what is best for you! That being said, here is my first tip for healing from burnout!
Tip of the Day! | EXERCISE
It probably comes as no surprise that my big tip for today is exercise. Exercise is one of the best things you can do for your mental health, and it’s also a great way to de-stress. I have found that when I am stressed out, working out helps me feel better. When I am feeling burned out, it’s even more important to make time for exercise.
Movement has been shown time and again as a wonderful way to combat stress and burnout. Exercise helps you sleep better, increases your energy levels, boosts your mood, and reduces stress. It can also help you focus better at work and get things done! If you are feeling stressed out, try getting in a little bit of exercise before you start your day. This can be as simple as going for a quick walk or doing some stretches while waiting for the coffee to brew in the morning.
Maybe you, like me, love Pilates, yoga, barre, and aerial work, or maybe you prefer to go on a walk, dance, powerlift, or whatever! It doesn’t matter what style of movement you like, just get up and get a quick workout in! You’ll be surprised at how wonderful you’ll feel!