As far as expending energy goes, people tend to be naturally lazy, average, or constantly in motion, headed toward burnout. I’ve been Biblically warned about the evils of laziness all my life. For instance, there is grave danger of never succeeding in life, per Proverbs 12:24. Admittedly, I try to take heed. As I’ve grown older, I’ve noticed something that does not bring to mind anything quoted to me from the Good Book, but it’s still true. People who are in control and hardworking every damn day usually ending up spiraling towards ultimate burnout. It’s tragic, really. I’ve decided that my tendency toward sitting on my ass beats burnout.
1-What Burnout Is
Psychiatric experts say burnout is a chronic state of stress. That is really bad news because stress is linked to all kinds of deadly health conditions. As a person on the opposite end of the energy scale, I can’t help but feel a little smug about this. Asthma, gastrointestinal complications, diabetes, asthma, and frickin’ Alzheimer’s disease are all associated with chronic stress aka burnout.
2-What Burnout Does
As chronic stress goes in connection with burnout, it can lead to the following problems:
- Cynicism, which ain’t pretty. Cynics tend to be motivated purely by self-interest and skepticism.
- Detachment, which makes a person cold, aloof, and uninvited to all the best parties.
- Emotional exhaustion, which I’ve experienced. It can make your face go numb.
- Physical exhaustion, which can knock folks down to my level, where it’s tough to get out of bed.
- Feelings of being ineffective, which defeats the whole purpose of working like a mule to keep everything under control.
- Feelings of lack of accomplishment, which is a real bummer, since such individuals have usually been racing circles around others in society, in the area of achievement.
3-Signs of Burnout
Besides previously named diseases that can give evidence of burnout, other signs of the condition include: Insomnia, forgetfulness, anger, depression, pessimism, heightened irritability, poor performance, and lack of productivity.
4-The Best Cure for Burnout
Experts have their advice on how high achievers can recover from burnout. But I have a theory of my own. I think they should get a taste of the other side of life. Sleep more. Stress less. In my experience, doing life kind of lazy is a lot better than it’s cracked up to be.
