Dare to live without limits Week of 9/28/20

By: 
Bryan Golden

Some ideas for when you are feeling worn out

Everyone experiences adverse situations which wear you out, causing you to feel mentally and physically exhausted. Your enthusiasm vanishes. Your productivity level plummets. It’s an awful experience which can’t end fast enough.
Let’s identify some of the causes, recognize the symptoms, and look at the numerous solutions which will help restore your energy. Dealing with persistent problems wears you out. Having an array of workable solutions greatly enhances your quality of life.
Significant changes in life such as divorce, job loss, or switching jobs are wearing. Any radical alteration to your comfort zone is wearing. You are thrust into unfamiliar territory with no recognized path. A large or persistent problem wears you down, along with seemingly insurmountable obstacles.
Other factors which are wearing include being a caregiver, financial stress, raising children, juggling too many things at once (ex. work, family, school), chronic medical conditions, a high-pressure work environment, and working long hours.
There are various symptoms linked to being worn out. Mood swings, anger, irritability, and anxiety, are possible. You may experience a lack of motivation and pessimism. There can be confusion, a lack of concentration, and forgetfulness. Feeling tired and drained most of the time is common.
Being worn out increases your stress level which suppresses your immune system making you more susceptible to illnesses. Changes in appetite and sleeping habits occur. There can also be an overall sense of failure.
In order to mitigate a situation where you feel worn out, first identify the exact cause of your predicament. It’s imperative to address the cause rather than mitigating symptoms. Eliminating, or reducing the root cause starts turning the situation around.
Engaging in any type of substance abuse (food, alcohol, or drugs) or self-destructive behavior is guaranteed to make any circumstances significantly more dire. These are negative strategies, not solutions. The last thing you want to do is become trapped in a deeper hole.
In a situation where answers are elusive, taking a break from fixating on your circumstances allows you to recharge. A break also provides a fresh perspective, which enables you to see things more clearly.
Whenever possible, remove stressors from your life, or remove yourself from the stressors. Constantly watching or reading negative news, or associating with negative problem-oriented people, are examples of stressors which can be reduced or eliminated.
Change your thought patterns. When dealing with a wearing situation, project positive outcomes. Think about positive solutions. Tell yourself all of the proactive steps you can, and will take.
Have some fun. Engage in enjoyable activities. Leave space in your schedule for breaks. Connect with upbeat, positive people. Use humor as a stress release. These simple strategies help prevent you from becoming worn out.
Focus on the present. It’s the action you take today that matters. Determine what steps you need to take now to move forward. Cut free from past mistakes. Whatever you could have done, would have done, or should have done is irrelevant. The past can’t be changed.
Don’t live in crisis mode. Panic impedes clear thinking. Adjust your priorities so you have time to devote to the most important issues. Eliminate activities which accomplish little or nothing. You want to be productive, not just busy.
Set boundaries. Say no to discretionary activities which drain your energy. It is prudent to take care of yourself and your needs. Seeking to placate others, without any benefit to yourself, is extremely wearing.
Create a healthy work/life balance. Make adjustments as needed. Extremes wear you down. Devote enough time to your quality of life. Pay attention to family and friends. Be thankful for all of the blessings in your life.
When you feel worn out, take positive corrective measures. You don’t need to suffer. Be an advocate for your well-being. Life is meant to be enjoyed.

NOW AVAILABLE: "Dare to Live Without Limits," the book. Visit www.BryanGolden.com or your bookstore. Bryan is a management consultant, motivational speaker, author, and adjunct professor. E-mail Bryan at bryan@columnist.com or write him c/o this paper.  2020 Bryan Golden

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