Happiful April 2021

true story
Out in Zanzibar, I noticed what a better mood
I was in when I’d slept well – sometimes with a
gratuitous afternoon nap – and not spent hours
staring at screens or commuting.
The signs I’d previously ignored included the
relationships I’d walked away from, when I felt
they were contradicting my ambitious goals and
my flawed means of trying to achieve them.
I’d long glossed over my forgetfulness and
absentmindedness. Anxiety and stress had
slowly built-up to a point where I’d hardly
realised they were regular fixtures in my life.
I’d overlooked my Sunday fatigue, and general
listlessness throughout the week. My increasing
isolation since becoming self-employed I’d
chalked down as a necessary sacrifice.
My main lesson was that I couldn’t live or
work at 100 miles-an-hour for long. Burning the
OUR EXPERT SAYS
Many of us will resonate with Stephen’s story. We
will certainly have felt the stress of having too
many demands vying for our attention.
For Stephen, it was a full on burnout that
instigated change. Fortunately, he achieved
this by looking at life differently, managing his
workload, and noticing how having fun is just as
important to our mental health as having space.
candle at both ends was no longer sustainable.
I have learnt to be much more strategic about
what work I take on, and how I approach each
day. I allow plenty of time for exercise, rest, and
the odd inane TV show or film to allow my mind
to switch off. I also make more time for friends,
and talk to them about anything and everything
– except work.
Scheduling fun activities that are enjoyable
for their own sake, is a major part of recovery.
A walk, reading a book, or playing a game, are
simple antidotes to burnout-induced anxiety.
The coronavirus lockdowns are a challenge
for us all, but have presented me with a chance
to live at a slower pace – more consciously and
deliberately. With time, I have come to see my
burnout as a wonderful opportunity to choose a
better way of living.
Particularly during such a challenging
time, it’s essential we recognise when work
or family demands are causing
undue stress. Remember, there’s
always help out there, and a
different to approach life.
Rachel Coffey | BA MA NLP Mstr | Life coach
happiful.com | April 2021 | 39