Physical Burnout - What’s That?
I’ve always known what “burnout” means and even what it feels like.
It’s when you do too much and get psychologically tired. You lose motivation. You lose interest and things get boring.
Everything I knew about burn-out was emotional or psychological. I’ve had it before. The kind of burnout where you can’t stand the thought of getting out of bed.
It’s been a long time since I felt that way. Lately things have been nothing but amazing.
=> Business has been booming
=> Our team is growing with amazing people
=> I’ve been traveling the world…
=> I bought a home
=> etc…
Well, just last week, for the first time, I experienced a new kind of burn-out - physical burn-out.
All My Travel Screwed Me…
I’ve been traveling a lot for over a year now. However, I’ve always stuck to a very tight routine when I travel. It’s a routine that many think is ridiculous or lavish but I discovered to be necessary. I’ve actually had a friend say “you just do all that to show off…”
I’m talking about things like…
- Traveling business when I can (I almost never have to pay for it though)
- Staying in the best hotels
- Eating in the hotel
- Having a car ready to pick me up at airports…
I can certainly understand how these things can be looked upon as lavish - even I started to convince myself that they were excessive. I made changes and boy did it hurt.
Combined with my medical conditions, these new changes I made to cut costs really impacted me negatively.
All the strain, stress and lack of nutrition led to my entire blood balance to getting messed up. The more and more I traveled outside my routine, my body started to just get physically exhausted.
Remember, Your Body Can Only Take So Much…
I’ve finally learned what Physical burnout is. My body gave in the last couple of weeks. I’m just now recovering. The lesson I learned?
Stick to what works for you. Don’t let others influence what’s working. Take care of your body first. Maybe you can take it psychologically, but don’t forget your physical restraints!
I’m now starting to see a direct connection between physical health and great success. Success requires HARD work and tons of dedication - all of which puts a lot of physical strain on your body.
I guess it’s back to the gym for me!
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Tags: burn-out, physical burnout, travel
May 10th, 2009 at 4:27 am
In todays world it is all too possible to exhaust and place ourselves in a situation that can become dangerous to our well being. We are all under a great deal of stress, given the state of the local, national and international situations we find ourselves in.
It is ever more important to take ourselves away somehow to rejuvenate and invigorate!
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Fighter reply on May 10, 2009 10:26 am:
I couldn’t have put that better myself - nicely done Bob!
- Fighter
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May 10th, 2009 at 12:45 pm
For me physical burnout is the last straw. It happens when I’ve gone through emotional and psychological burnout and ignored them. Rather than paying attention to what is going on with me and regrouping, I push on no matter what!!
Physical burnout is the biggest of all the “hello…would you please take care of me”s you can have. I have found that if I pay close attention to how I’m feeling I can cut it off at the pass.
The amount of time I waste when I have to go back and recover from physical burnout far exceeds the time I would have invested in taking care of myself in the first place!!
I hope you will take good care and be kind to yourself. Remember you are the Lead Fighter..all the best
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Fighter reply on May 10, 2009 7:19 pm:
Hey Anne,
Yeap - I can honestly say though that I have not been stressed or emotionally stressed, I’ve been doing AWESOME and just full of ideas and excitement.
I think mostly this has a lot to do with the health issues I have too. Anyways, I’m good to rock and roll
Recovered after some good rest and have another 2 weeks of “slow” so I can get back to things …
Thanks!
Lead Fighter!
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May 10th, 2009 at 2:33 pm
A lifetime of running my own businesses and taking care of everyone and ignoring my own needs led to complete physical burnout (meltdown, really). Burnout took me down HARD. It led to developing severe migraines every day. Yes, every day for the last 5 years. I became unable to work at all.
What have I learned? Very little can be accomplished without good health and vitality. Losing your health can mean losing your financial stability and sources of support (job, business contacts, social network, even famiy).
Stress changes the chemistry of the body and, for me, triggers a migraine. “Stress” is more than worry or tension about something. Stress can be skipping a meal, not getting enough sleep, eating the wrong foods (nitrates, sultites, allergens), or not exercizing or playing enough.
I have discovered that fully focusing on self-care (physical, psychological, emotional) is the ONLY thing I can do to drive away the migraines, regain my health, and reclaim my life. (I’m happy to say I’m seeing good progress.) Self-care is based on making good choices for you.
So, if I could afford to travel, I would fly first-class because flying triggers migraines and I need more support than the average traveler. If I stay at a hotel, it’ll be the fancy one with the great restaurant conveniently located by the elevators. If I need to get around the city, I’ll take a taxi or walk. Why? Because each of these choices is the difference between “ease” and “struggle.” When I go with “ease,” things run more smoothly, I have less stress and struggle, and my health continues to improve.
Choosing the “self-care lifestyle” isn’t selfish, so don’t let others lay their guilt trips on you (and they’ll try, believe me). Go with what works for you and what just feels “right.” Check in with yourself every few hours to see how you’re doing. Ask yourself, “What do I need right now?”
[Reply]
Fighter reply on May 10, 2009 7:20 pm:
Hey,
I couldnt have said it better myself - sorry to hear about your migraines.
Have the doctors said that they’ll start to go away as you take it easier over time?
Lead Fighter
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