Sometimes, during feelings of overwhelm, it can be hard to read exactly what our bodies are telling us. Usually, the first indications of stress are manifested as physical symptoms. Over time, the bodily sensations of burn out can feel very similar to that of depression. Paying close attention to your thoughts and feelings during this time is how you can get more in touch with your inner world. Once you can better read these signs, you can take steps forward to learn if you are burnt out or depressed, and how to come out better and brighter on the other side.
What is Burn Out?
Burn out is defined as prolonged periods of stress that manifests as mental and physical symptoms over time, although it is not technically a medical condition. While it takes a lot of work for the individual, burn out can be overcome by addressing the stress in your life and implementing healthy changes to supplement your well being. Usually, medical intervention is not required to treat burn out. Each person is different, so the way you address burn out might look different from someone else’s method.
Physical symptoms of burn out might include:
- Fatigue
- Headaches
- Shortness of breath
- Anxiety
- Coping mechanisms (alcohol or drug usage)
- Sleep disruption
- Irritability
- Jaw clenching/tightness
- Gastrointestinal issues
Physical symptoms of burn out might include:
- Fatigue
- Headaches
- Shortness of breath
- Anxiety
- Coping mechanisms (alcohol or drug usage)
- Sleep disruption
- Irritability
- Jaw clenching/tightness
- Gastrointestinal issues
What is Depression?
Depression is a medical mood disorder characterized by persistent sadness, apathy, or loss of interest. Unlike burn out, depression is not always a direct response to outside stimuli. Rather, it can be caused by genetics, brain chemistry, medical conditions, or life events. Doctors and medical professionals can diagnose someone with depression, and then generate a treatment plan that best fits the individual. One treatment option might include therapy with a licensed therapist or psychologist. Another might involve prescription medication as determined by a trusted medical professional, or combination of the two.
Some common signs of depression differ from burn out, and might look like:
- Feelings of hopelessness, sadness, or emptiness
- Brain fog
- Sleeping too much or too little
- Loss of interest in passions
- Self-blame
- Anger outbursts
- Frequent thoughts of death or suicide
Reading the Difference; Burnt Out or Depressed?
While burn out and depression look different, it is important to take a closer look inside to find the source of your current struggles. Assess these areas of your life to find answers, then determine whether you are burnt out or depressed.
Evaluate Your Work/Life Balance
There’s no escaping it; we have to work to pay our bills. However, the work you do each day has an effect on your overall well being. Is your job laborious? Mentally exhausting? Does it bring you joy at the end of the work day? Do you feel as though you are making an impact on the world? Is your daily routine enjoyable?
All of these questions are important to ask yourself to assess your daily mood at work. After all, it is something we do with most of our waking hours. If work is not as fulfilling as you would like, what do you do with your free time? Do you balance out your stressful day with an enjoyable activity, such as reading or watching a comfort TV show? Your leisurely activities are just as important as your work ones, so make sure they bring you into balance.
Get Your Body Moving
Movement is great for you, whether you are simply burnt out or struggling with persistent sadness. Exercise has been shown to provide stress relief, including running, walking, dancing, or playing a sport. There are a million ways to move! Also, consistency in fitness builds muscle and assists in weight loss, which can help build confidence. When you’re confident, you can do anything!
Even if you are just moving to release endorphins, that’s okay too. Exercise has been shown to produce positive chemicals in the brain that decrease feelings of stress and anxiety. This is most effective when the movement is consistent, so build some fitness into your weekly routine!
Speak to God
You’ve checked in with your body, your schedule, and those closest to you. These are all the tangible things in your life that you have some level of control over. Anything else left over is up to God, so now is the perfect time to check in with Him. Pray on your feelings and questions left unanswered. Seek truths that you need His assistance to discover.
Meditate on some of your favorite scriptures that apply to your life situation. What can you learn from Jesus’s word that will help bring excitement and positivity back into your life? God always has an answer for us when we are open to listening to His direction.
Resolution
Now that you’ve taken a look within yourself to find the sources of your feelings, you can take positive steps towards your well-being. If making small changes to your routine and adding leisurely activities to your free time amplifies your happiness, you may be burnt out. If you still have feelings of lingering sadness or something still doesn’t feel right after your assessment, you may want to seek medical attention for discussing mental health services with a trusted professional.
No matter if you are feeling burnt out or depressed, a better tomorrow is ahead. God has a plan for us all, no matter what life throws our way.
