Top 4 Ways to Combat Burnout

Recently on Taking Control: The ADHD Podcast, special guest and ADHD coach, Casey Dixon, joined Pete and I to discuss burnout and how it affects those with ADHD.

What Is Burnout?

I like the way the American Psychological Association (APA) describes burnout:

physical, emotional, or mental exhaustion accompanied by decreased motivation, lowered performance, and negative attitudes toward oneself and others. It results from performing at a high level until stress and tension, especially from extreme and prolonged physical or mental exertion or an overburdening workload, take their toll.

Have you ever experienced feeling this way? A lot of ADHDers can answer ‘yes’ to that question.

What Causes Burnout?

During our conversation, Casey spoke about the different things that can create burnout. One of the things she highlighted was something she called the “overs”

• Overcompensating

• Overworking

• Overthinking

• Over-judging

• Over-negotiating

• Over-deciding

• Over-perfecting

• Overwhelming

How many of the “overs” can you say that you do? Do you feel like these are contributing to fatigue and burnout in your life?

How Do We Fight Burnout?

Luckily, finding out you have burnout isn’t the end! There are plenty of things you can do, starting today, to combat your current burnout or keep it from happening in the first place.

1. Self-care

   I know you hear it all the time, but a regular self-care routine really is important to battling fatigue, stress, and other symptoms of burnout. Taking care of yourself helps to take care of you and your ADHD.

2. Be intentional

   It’s important to be mindful of your time and how you spend it. Make a conscious effort to put time for joy and fun into your schedule.

3. Find your balance

   Another word for balance could be “equal”, “steady”, or “stable”. Look at ways you can create equal parts of work and play and build lasting stability into your schedule..

4. Ask for help

   Whether it’s a supervisor, a spouse, or a friend, it’s important to lean on those we have around when the symptoms of burnout start to creep up on you. It is not a sign of weakness to ask for help!

Now that you’ve learned a little more about burnout and how to combat it’s effects, what is one thing you can do differently today to make sure burnout doesn’t find you?

If you would like to hear more from Casey Dixon, check out the episode:

Ep 2410: Breaking Free of the Burnout Blues with Casey Dixon

Thank you for your time and attention,

-Nikki