Course 2: Becoming a 7 Cups Leader - (Discussion #11) Avoiding Burnout

@Heather225

"If we ourselves do not take care of us, how can we expect other to do that"

This is the simple way of putting out a brief summary of what I understood from the slides. We are here to help people, first by helping ourselves to see and analyse things things in a healthier and peaceful way.

Burnout is a physical and emotional exhaustion. Signs of burnout includes cynicism, loss of enjoyment, pessimism, detachment, and so on. If you have burnout you might need self care.

@Heather225

I felt naughty looking at the slideshow! I really struggle to accept taking a break. I really think that I need to remember that I can’t help others if I have reached burnout. I think I’d rather set some tighter boundaries than have to take frequent self care breaks. I don’t think I really realised the traits I may have if I do not look after myself.

I learned that self care is important

I was reminded that No one expects me to be a machine and never take breaks. Burnout is expected if I work non-stop A healthy me makes a healthy team makes a healthy community <3 I'm currently in the process of scaling back on my work :)

I was reminded that

• No one expects me to be a machine and never take breaks.
• Burnout is expected if I work non-stop
• A healthy me makes a healthy team makes a healthy community <3

I'm currently in the process of scaling back on my work :)

@Heather225

Its important not to take too much on yourself. Too many responsibilities and tasks can lead to a burn-out. One has to listen to themselves and hopefully see that when it gets too much, they step on "the brake" on time.

@Heather225

Q: What I learned?

A: I learned quite a lot but some things I also learned from my journey here on cups, I really want to help people. Not everyone is able to talk to someone and I don’t want anyone to ever feel like that they're not important and that they aren’t valid enough that they're allowed to talk about their feelings. This always wants me to keep going and to help as many people that I can on a day even if being online all those hours isn’t healthy. Doing so much on cups along with school and some health issues made me experience a burnout. I no longer liked being online on cups and I just didn’t have the energy to do so, this made me experience other things as well. Since then I can recognize the symptoms a bit better and I’ve changed some things in how I work and to not help more than I and my body can handle.

Q: What do I do stay healthy and to avoid a burnout

A: I will schedule time that I’m not online on 7cups, I will not take to many requests, I’m more cautious on what kind of request I take on, I will schedule in hours that I take breaks, I will schedule free and fun time, I will schedule if needed a free day and other things if needed.

- Lena

@Heather225

I learnt that burnout causes lack of drive and motivation to engage in the activities like before. We begin to feel really exhausting, cynical and drained whenever we approach or resume our activities.

To heal from burnout, one must take a break from whatever they are doing and focus on self care.

Burnout is a real problem and it's important to focus on healing and recovery.

@Heather225

Taking time out for yourself and loads of self care. It is important that we are making sure we know our limit when it comes to certain facets. The ability of being able to spot your triggers makes listening a lot less difficult. Whatever it is that makes you feel better is what you should do.

@Heather225

Please read it through and in the replies, tell us what you learned, and what you will do to stay healthy and avoid burnout!

It's important to know what burnout is so you can take important steps to manage things if you are ever affected by it, and find ways to better manage yourself to avoid burnouts. To stay healthy and avoid burnout, I would give myself regular breaks where I do something to feel better, such as taking a walk, meditating, or even taking a 7-cup self-care break if needed.