HAVE I BURNED OUT DURING THE PANDEMIC ?
BY : NATASHA E . FEGHALI
People who are struggling to cope with workplace stress may place themselves at high risk of burnout . Burnout can leave people feeling exhausted , empty and unable to cope with the demands of life . The Pandemic has heightened this for so many educators . It is not a shameful state at all . It would actually be responsible of us to identify this state and take care of ourselves .
Burnout may be accompanied by a variety of both mental and physical health symptoms . If left unaddressed , burnout can make it difficult for an individual to function well in their daily life .
As educators we are always working so hard to ensure that our students achieve success and a bright future . However , it ’ s not uncommon to find ourselves completely burnt out in doing so . Emotions can run high during a time like this , and we can find ourselves completely burnt out . Many educators are waiting for the Holiday break , just so to relax , and yet the truth is that , we need to take time for ourselves every day to regroup and recharge .
In a time like no other the most important factor is our sanity and our ability to adapt as educators and this also takes a toll on us . As an educator myself and working with a large portfolio of schools it can be very challenging at times to take care of myself and my responsibilities at work . Often , educators are so busy charging all other aspects of their lives ; from work to families , that they forget about their own sanity and how it would affect their own work . When we reach the point past burnout , we find ourselves making mistakes at work which can be unfortunate to both ourselves and our role .
Whilst burnout isn ’ t a diagnosable psychological disorder , that doesn ' t mean it shouldn ' t be taken seriously .
Here are some of the most common signs of burnout :
• Alienation from work-related activities
• Physical symptoms
• Emotional exhaustion
• Reduced performance
Sometimes we don ’ t know our limitations and go beyond the limits of our own possibilities . Of course , we would like to do it all , yet we can only do so much , and the Pandemic has shown us what is important and what can be done later . It appears we may find ourselves past burnout and yet we continue to keep going . We must let go and stop to see what we can release and what needs our attention . As educators this is very difficult as we wear many hats , yet some things can be released to focus on matters that will move us and our work forward . By releasing we grow in ourselves and in our work .
Although the term " burnout " suggests it may be a permanent condition , it ' s reversible . As educators we may sometimes feel burned out and not ready for the New Year and all the changes to come ; some small healthy positive changes can move emotions and thought patterns forward .
It can also be helpful to develop clear strategies that help you manage your stress . Self-care strategies like ; eating a healthy diet , getting plenty of exercises and engaging in healthy sleep habits , may help reduce some of the effects of burnout .
Natasha E . Feghali an award-winning Canadian , for her philanthropy in the community and strong dedication to education . She is the recipient of the 40 Under 40 United Way / Leadership Windsor-Essex Award 2018 and numerous awards and recognitions , most notably the Sovereign Canadian Medal in 2015 , for her dedication to education and the future entrepreneurship and youth . She is an international educator working overseas throughout her career while giving workshops , seminars and conferences Nationally and Internationally . She has taught in China , France , Kuwait and Ontario for 13 years .
50 Term 3 Apr - Jun 2021 After the Bell