Sheryl Kraft, a freelance writer and breast cancer survivor, was born in Long Beach, New York. She currently lives in Connecticut with her husband Alan and dog Chloe, where her nest is empty of her two sons Jonathan. Sheryl writes articles and essays on breast cancer and contributes to a variety of publications and websites where she writes on general health and wellness issues. She earned her MFA in writing from Sarah Lawrence College in 2005.
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My editor at CNBC.com recently asked me to write a story about how employee burnout is on the rise.
As a contributor to the site's Modern Medicine section, I write interesting and timely stories about health—but I don't usually write about work issues. I accepted the challenge.
It didn't take me long to realize that the word "burnout" is not reserved for the workplace.
My story for CNBC is about how to handle burnout in the workplace that results from things like a difficult manager, fellow employees or a poor work environment, but burnout can also occur as a result of life itself. Being a high achiever, clocking long hours, not being in control, resenting what you have to do—these stressors, which can contribute to burnout, are not always the fault of your job.
I'm sure everyone can relate. The complex and stressful issues of everyday life can leave you depleted and anxious. Just turn on the television (or don't); drive in traffic and deal with angry and aggressive drivers; wait on hold for customer service and then lose the connection; try to master a seemingly simple digital device and fail; have the same argument over and over with someone you love; deal with a neighboring dog's relentless barking; get caught in a downpour without an umbrella or jacket while wearing suede shoes.
That's why self-care is so important. Eating right, exercising, de-stressing, doing something you love: these are only a handful of things to help you stay on top of your health and wellness. And since August is Wellness Month, it's a good reminder to do some things to keep your mental and physical health in check.
Try these10 Foods for All-Day Energy.
Carry over these tips to every month of the year, and, hopefully, the burnout you're feeling can be extinguished!
And check out HealthyWomen’s self-care movement, HealthiHer, where you can sign up for weekly emails and connect with us on social.
This post originally appeared on mysocalledmidlife.net.
