Burnout may not be a classifiable medical condition, but it certainly has the potential to make you feel terrible and isn’t too far off from depression. 

To easily identify the symptoms of burnout, ask yourself if you feel like you’ve been put on ICE:

I: Ineffective - What was once routine now feels overly complex. You’re filled with doubt and insecurity and wonder if others notice your confidence rapidly diminishing. 

C: Cynical - You might feel disengaged from your work and the less you engage, the less you care. Not caring can lead to negativity that consumes and destroys any optimism or joy you still have.

E: Exhausted - According to Monique Valor with the Harvard Business Review, “Exhaustion is the central symptom of burnout, consisting of profound physical, cognitive, and emotional fatigue that undermines people's ability to work effectively and feel positive about what they're doing.”

In this episode, I cover the red flags of burnout and why it’s so important to check in with yourself and determine what action you can take to avoid sliding into depression.

If you’re experiencing burnout, remember to get in the CAR and go to a new destination:

C: Competency - We need some semblance of control in our life. Focus on a simple action like keeping your bedroom organized, checking the mail regularly, or paying the bills on time. 

A: Autonomy - We also need self-direction and independence. While we value the opinion of others, we ultimately appreciate the final say in what we do. 

R: Relatedness - We need to love and be loved. We must find ways to connect with others, even in the darkest of times.    

Addressing these needs may not solve every problem you face, but it will make you feel at least a little better.

In this episode, you’ll also hear:

• Understanding the relationship between depression and burnout 
• Taking action to prevent crossing the bridge to depression
• Self-determination theory and addressing three needs: CAR

Must-listen moments: 

[00:05:50] It's pretty damn hard ever fully to unplug, take a load off and actually recharge. So are you burned out? Take a survey of your life and ask to what degree you feel ineffective, cynical, and exhausted.

[00:08:35] In life, there will always be times when we must do things we don't want to do, but for the most part, we function better if we feel like we are choosing the life we're living.

[00:10:51] Tending to these three needs won't solve every difficulty in your life, but it's hard to imagine not feeling at least a little bit better when you can confidently say you experience competency, autonomy, and meaningful relationships.

Thank you for listening! 

Depression, Anxiety, and Other Things We Don’t Want to Talk About - https://www.amazon.com/Depression-Anxiety-Other-Things-About/dp/1400221323

Ryan Casey Waller

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