Emotional exhaustion, the consequence of demanding yourself to be strong

Emotional exhaustion is a state that is reached due to overload of effort.. In this case, we are not just talking about work excesses, but about carrying the responsibility of assuming conflicts, responsibilities or stimuli of an emotional or cognitive nature.

Emotional exhaustion is not achieved overnight. It is a process that incubates slowly, until there is a point where the person collapses. That break plunges him into paralysis, deep depression or chronic illness. A collapse occurs in the person’s life, because they literally can’t take it anymore.

Although emotional exhaustion is experienced as mental tiredness, it is usually accompanied by great physical fatigue. When it comes there is a feeling of heaviness, of the impossibility of moving forward. We then fall into an inertia from which it is difficult to escape.

The causes of emotional exhaustion

Emotional exhaustion originates because there is an imbalance between what we give and what we receive. Those who are victims of this condition are characterized by giving everything they can of themselves, whether at work, at home, with their partner or in any field. We are undoubtedly facing a reality that can appear in any circumstance and in any type of profile.

In general, This occurs in areas where there is great demand, which in turn, apparently, demands great sacrifices.. According to a study carried out by Russell Cropan, from Emory University, emotional fatigue can occur, for example, in a job in which there is a high risk of dismissal. Or in a home whose members are full of problems and demand attention. Also when we have a conflictive couple or one with serious difficulties.

Typically, the exhausted person lacks time for themselves. It also does not receive recognition sufficient affection or consideration. She is expected to “perform” all the time. As if she had no needs, or as if she was stronger than the rest of her and she could endure anything.

For their part, the following circumstances are closely related to the appearance of emotional exhaustion:

chronic stress: Experiencing stress is normal and adaptive to a certain extent, as it allows our body to cope with demanding situations. However, when this response becomes chronic, it ends up compromising our physical and mental health, where fatigue and exhaustion are the most common manifestations.Sedentary lifestyle: People with poor mobility and inactivity tend to have less energy and are more likely to suffer from health problems. In this way, when the body does not exercise, it is more susceptible to suffering not only from physical fatigue, but also from emotional fatigue.

The first symptoms of burnout

Before emotional exhaustion itself appears, there are some signs that announce it. These are signs that are generally not given much importance. If granted, action could be taken in time.

The Initial symptoms of emotional exhaustion are:

Physical tiredness. The person frequently feels fatigued. From the moment he opens his eyes he experiences as if what awaits him during the day is excessively arduous.Insomnia. As contradictory as it may seem, a person with emotional exhaustion has difficulty sleeping. He always has problems running through his head and making it difficult to sleep.Irritability. There is discomfort and loss of self-control, with some frequency. The exhausted person appears in a bad mood and is overly sensitive to any criticism or gesture of disapproval.Lack of motivation. Those who suffer from emotional exhaustion begin to act mechanically. As if he was forced to do what he does all the time. He does not feel enthusiasm or interest in his activities.emotional distancing. Emotions begin to become more and more flat. As if she actually felt practically nothing.Frequent forgetfulness. The saturation of information and/or stimuli leads to memory failures. Little things are easily forgotten.Difficulties thinking. The person feels that he is easily confused. Each activity involves a greater expenditure of time than before. You reason slowly.less patience. In this case, the person finds it difficult to tolerate frustrations.Headache and gastrointestinal problems.

Ways out for emotional exhaustion

The best way to overcome emotional exhaustion is, of course, to rest. You have to find free time to relax and be calm. People who push themselves too hard spend years without, for example, taking vacations. This should not be done. Sooner or later it just leads to fatigue. So a good idea is to take a few days to dedicate them to rest.

Another solution is to work to build a different attitude towards daily obligations.. Each day should include time to dedicate to commitments and also time to rest and carry out activities that are rewarding. Obsessions with perfection or compliance must be put aside.

Likewise, it is important that the person acquires a healthy lifestyle, which includes a balanced diet, physical exercise and a good night’s rest. For its part, if there are difficulties managing exhaustion, the ideal is to go to a psychotherapist, who will provide us with the necessary tools to overcome the situation.

Finally, It is very important to raise awareness about ourselves. For this, there is nothing better than dedicating some time a day to be alone.. Breathe, reconnect with who we are and what we want. It is essential to develop an attitude of understanding and kindness towards ourselves. Otherwise, sooner or later, it will be impossible for us to move forward.

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