Caregivers frequently hear the terms burnout and compassion fatigue when caring for someone with a mental illness.

Without a doubt, caring for someone can be a demanding, stressful, and exhausting job. It’s also common to be told to take care of yourself and avoid burnout. However, it can be difficult to distinguish between normal pressures and something more serious at times.

So, exactly what is burnout? How can you tell if you’re having it? And how can you prevent this from happening?

Burnout is the state of being emotionally and physically exhausted as a result of being subjected to prolonged and excessive stress. When we are exposed to these times, it is common to feel overwhelmed by the amount of caring that needs to be done, or to feel undervalued or unappreciated. If you are experiencing these feelings, you may be on the verge of burnout.

Warning signs and symptoms include:

• Physical exhaustion, in which you are tired most of the time and may feel unable to complete tasks to the same standard as before.
• Changes in appetite, either eating for comfort or completely losing your appetite Changes in sleeping patterns
• Frequently occurring headaches and tension
• Low immunity leads to frequent illness.
• Motivational decline
• Feeling powerless
• Increased cynicism and a pessimistic view of the current situation
• Reduced sense of accomplishment or satisfaction
• Feelings of guilt or shame, or doubting your abilities to help the person you care for
  Social isolation
• Procrastination
• Using drugs or alcohol to cope

Many of these symptoms are also present in depressive episodes and can be equally overwhelming. If you believe you are experiencing these symptoms, it is critical that you act quickly to prevent the effects of burnout from becoming even more consuming or devastating.

Among the strategies that can help prevent burnout are:

• A well-balanced and nutritious diet

  Eating well provides your body with all of the nutrients it requires to function properly and aids in the maintenance of a healthy immune system. This can help to counteract the effects of chronic stress.

• Exercise
  Physical activity not only relieves stress, but it also releases chemicals in the brain that make you feel happier and more positive.
• Increase your social interaction.

  

  Surrounding yourself with supportive people and spending more time with them is an excellent way to feel supported and reduce stress.

• Spend more time on yourself.
  You can spend this time doing whatever you consider to be relaxing. This could be quiet time to read a book, practise yoga, take a bath, meditate, go for a walk, or do anything else that suits you.
• Begin a new hobby.
  Hobbies are a great way to unwind and disconnect from your daily life. If you don’t have a hobby, consider what you might like to try. A new, novel activity can be a welcome distraction.
• Get enough rest.
  Sleep is essential for our bodies to function properly and can help us cope with stress. If you’re feeling tired, make it a point to get more sleep.
• Limit your consumption of alcohol, drugs, caffeine, and sugar.
  These substances have the potential to harm your overall health. Depending on the substance, they can also aggravate stress, anxiety, or depression symptoms. Reducing these will benefit both your physical health and your mood.
• Maintain distinct boundaries.

  While everyone’s boundaries will vary depending on the situation, it’s a good idea to remember that it’s okay to say ‘no.’ It’s critical to take time for yourself, and being firm about it can help you keep your boundaries.

Seek professional assistance.
Speaking with a psychologist or counsellor can sometimes help to reframe the negative view formed during burnout. They can assist you in changing your perception of the caring role and in establishing and enforcing boundaries.

These are things we should do every day, but our priorities are frequently centred on the person we care for. While it is wonderful to help others when they are ill, it is impossible to care for others when your own reserves are depleted.

As a result, it is critical to re-evaluate your priorities and begin prioritising yourself. This is a particularly difficult task for people who are born caregivers or have a high level of empathy. To be truly effective in your caring role, however, you must first fulfil your obligation to yourself by caring for your own health and well-being.