MINIMIZE
DEPRESSION AND BURN-OUT
In
our frenzied, helter-skelter, hurried and harried world, it is fairly easy to
experience burn-out, which can lead to confusion and feelings of depression. Therefore, it is vitally important for people of faith to understand the need
for regular recreation, in the
literal sense of that word. According to
Dictionary.com, recreation is “the
act of creating anew.” Even though we
have been renewed spiritually via our new birth, it is incumbent upon each of
us to plan time for relaxation and much needed breaks from the daily grind. Please don’t be so heavenly minded that you
are no earthly good! Vacations are very important. If they are unaffordable for you, staycations are a practical and
enjoyable alternative.
Dr.
Martin Russell suggests three strategies to reduce depression and
burn-out:
(1) Set goals with a pre-determined end-points. Life and work cannot become an endless marathon. You need to have sprints (as well as rest periods), and have some measurable finish lines along the way. Otherwise the only rest you will get is when you collapse from exhaustion!
Whether you label it a milestone, or a step in the journey, or an exit strategy, you need to acknowledge the ebb and flow of your motivation and interest. Then work with it, rather than against it. Even a seemingly powerful motivator such as having more money, can result in burn-out when more and more is never enough when you haven’t defined its purpose and what it will bring you and others.
(2) Have a bigger purpose in mind. Life is not just about filling your days with whatever random events happen to get your attention. With a clearly defined purpose you can select what is truly important.
It doesn’t have to be an overly grand purpose, like solving world poverty. It does, however, need to be something that brings out the passion in you – to motivate you through the day-to-day bumps and any obstacles along the way.
(3) Create results that last beyond today. From the vantage point of my experience as a counselor, this is the most important consideration. You need to build some cumulative benefits to the work you do each day. Otherwise every day feels like you are starting from scratch yet again, like you are never getting anywhere.
Sometimes it is merely about paying attention to the long-term benefit of what you are already creating. More commonly however you really need to adjust your attitude and change some of the things you are doing.
(1) Set goals with a pre-determined end-points. Life and work cannot become an endless marathon. You need to have sprints (as well as rest periods), and have some measurable finish lines along the way. Otherwise the only rest you will get is when you collapse from exhaustion!
Whether you label it a milestone, or a step in the journey, or an exit strategy, you need to acknowledge the ebb and flow of your motivation and interest. Then work with it, rather than against it. Even a seemingly powerful motivator such as having more money, can result in burn-out when more and more is never enough when you haven’t defined its purpose and what it will bring you and others.
(2) Have a bigger purpose in mind. Life is not just about filling your days with whatever random events happen to get your attention. With a clearly defined purpose you can select what is truly important.
It doesn’t have to be an overly grand purpose, like solving world poverty. It does, however, need to be something that brings out the passion in you – to motivate you through the day-to-day bumps and any obstacles along the way.
(3) Create results that last beyond today. From the vantage point of my experience as a counselor, this is the most important consideration. You need to build some cumulative benefits to the work you do each day. Otherwise every day feels like you are starting from scratch yet again, like you are never getting anywhere.
Sometimes it is merely about paying attention to the long-term benefit of what you are already creating. More commonly however you really need to adjust your attitude and change some of the things you are doing.
It is necessary to address each of these three aspects to maximize your emotional, physical and spiritual health. Missing even one of them will give you much more stress than you need. So start today!
I fully agree with Dr. Russell. People of God, while we are busy taking care of others, we must make sure that we are employing sufficient wisdom to take care of ourselves. That way, we will be around much longer, and we will be more available (spiritually, emotionally, physically, financially) to lend a helping hand to others. Sisters and brothers, be continually blessed!
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