Five behaviours that put you at risk of burnout

Recognising the behaviors that can contribute to burnout is an important part of protecting your mental health and overall well-being. In this article, I discuss five key behaviors that can put you at risk of burnout.

People-Pleasing

People pleasing refers to an excessive need to make others happy, often at the expense of your own needs. When you constantly prioritise other people's needs over your own, you can feel drained and disconnected from your own goals.

This pattern generally stems from a fear of rejection or disapproval. Do you ever find yourself saying yes to something you know you don't have time for because you fear someone will think badly of you if you say no?

The problem is that when you say yes repeatedly, you leave little time to do the things that are important to you or recharge. People who chronically people please tend to neglect their personal needs, leading to increased stress and resentment. Then, when you can't meet someone’s expectations, feelings of inadequacy can develop, again contributing to your risk of burnout.

Perfectionism

When you exhibit perfectionistic behavior you are often setting unrealistically high standards for yourself.

For example, do you ever avoid delegating tasks because you believe no one else can execute them correctly? This fear can result in an overwhelming workload and feelings of isolation. You may procrastinate out of fear of making mistakes, creating a cycle of anxiety and exhaustion. Failure to meet your own standards can lead to heightened stress and mental fatigue.

Lack of Boundaries

Without establishing healthy boundaries, you may feel overwhelmed by obligations, reacting to things around you rather than making purposeful decisions and proactively managing your time. This feeling of being reactive can lead to a sense of losing control, increasing the risk of burnout. Do you ever feel like you are constantly busy but can never get anything on your To Do list done?

Managing your mental health is your responsibility and setting personal boundaries is a key part of that.

Neglecting Self-Care

In the rush of daily life, self-care can often take a back seat. You may feel guilty or self indulgent about prioritising your own needs. It may be so long since you even thought about your own needs and wants that you have lost touch with what they actually are.

This neglect can show up in various forms, such as poor nutrition, lack of exercise, insufficient sleep or just no time for yourself. When basic needs are unmet, the body and mind can become susceptible to stress and fatigue, significantly raising the risk of burnout.

Over commitment

Balancing work, family, and social obligations can create an overwhelming schedule for anyone. In today's society we often associate being busy with being successful and tend to reward or admire people who are excessively busy. Do you sometimes feel like you are constantly living your life on the thin line between manageable and just too busy?

This chronic busyness leaves no room for resilience and can diminish enjoyment in life.

Final Thoughts

Reflecting on my own experience, people-pleasing, perfectionism, lack of boundaries, neglecting self-care, and over commitment all played a part in my burnout.

Recognising behaviors that lead to burnout is an important part of the Anti-Burnout Mindset. Identifying these behaviors and increasing awareness of their potential downside is the first step to creating a more resilient mindset and stopping burnout in its tracks.