

The Tell-Tale Signs Of Burnout & What To Do About It
Most of the time, we don't recognize burnout until it's too late.
By the time we realize we're unmotivated or depleted, it's already in takeover mode in multiple areas of our lives and we're ready to snap on anyone in our path, if we haven't already. Despite how it might feel, burnout doesn't have control over us. It can only come in and wreak havoc when we allow it.
While it might seem like a sneaky monster, there are ways to know burnout is headed your way, making it easier for you to overcome it. Take a look at the tips below!
Negative Vibes Only
If you find yourself resenting everything around you, and you're having a nearly impossible time being optimistic about even the smallest things, burnout might be on the horizon. Don't take those moments of irritation and annoyance lightly. The truth is, you might feel that way because you're overwhelmed in one (or multiple) areas of your life, and that's the method you use to react, even if it's subconsciously. As a remedy, try taking out some of that frustration at the gym. A good workout to flush out all of the stress you're experiencing can do wonders for you sis.
Eatin’ Too Good
I'm guilty of this as much as the next chick. Emotional eating can come when you're in a really amazing mood and want to celebrate with cake and ice cream (cue Rihanna "and it's not even your birthday") or when you're ready to quit your job on sight so you indulge in whatever carbs and fat you can put your hands on. I can't lie, it tastes amazing, but it's not physically or mentally healthy, and could be a sign you're struggling from burnout. One solution is to discover your triggers for emotional eating and be more intentional about how you respond with your favorite foods. When those cravings come along, a glass of water could do the trick.
No Motivation
When we do the same thing day in and out -- home, work and back again -- it can be difficult to find the excitement in life. Getting stuck in a rut is no joke. If you realize that you're not motivated at a job that you were once in love with, or that it's really hard for you to stay focused as your attention span declines on a daily, you might just be over it -- in other words burned out. It's not a bad thing at all. It happens to all of us. But it can be stopped by taking a vacation, even if all you can do is a staycation at home on a Saturday. Whatever you need, take a break from the grind and the hustle of life and unplug so you can go back recharged and motivated again to do what you love. (Also, make a habit of scheduling free time for you to do this regularly so prevent more frequent burnout in the future.)
Sleep Pattern Is Way Off
If you're experiencing one extreme of chronic fatigue or the other, of insomnia, you might just have too much going on, and could be struggling from burnout. Having no energy and feeling completely depleted for even the smallest things and already dreading the next day before it arrives is a sign of burnout. Another side is having trouble going to sleep to begin with (and that melatonin just ain't working). While these could mean other things, they could also be an indication that you're experiencing burnout, sis. You can prevent fatigue by cutting out things like caffeine and alcohol. You can also try seeing a therapist and lowering your stress levels. When it comes to insomnia, you can get moving and exercise before bed, but also try not to go for that midnight snack.
When It Gets Physical
Physical signs of burnout consists of heavy chest pains, not being able to breathe normally, suffering from headaches and even fainting. It might be easy to overlook some of these things as normal or just how your body operates, but the truth is, you might be doing your body more damage than good without evaluating if burnout could be the root factor. If it is, try seeing a doctor about ways to treat these symptoms and boost your energy level, ultimately winning your battle against burnout.
Going Solo
We all like to be alone sometimes. In fact, some of us more than others. While we can put it off for the sake of being an introvert (raises hand slowly), sometimes even the most social side of us could be going through it. At work, you might find yourself closing your door more often, not wanting to do the regular chit chat with your coworkers and being a little more antisocial than your norm. At times, you could get to the point where you show up late just to steer clear of having to talk to people. If you're feeling burnout at this level, or any level, a break might be in order for you, sis. Remember, there's nothing wrong with needing a vacation. Just do what you feel is needed to get mentally clear.
Your Performance At Work Is On The Decline
We all know when we first start a job, we're energetic, full of bright ideas and sometimes, they can't get us to stop talking. Once we get comfortable and use all of the energy we have to complete even the smallest tasks, it's easy to feel a certain level of burnout. We find ourselves speaking up less in the meetings, and not feeling like going to the meetings at all. In these moments, you can either alter your attitude or the pressure you have on yourself at work, or both. I think one of the biggest lessons learned is that we can't expect someone to look out for us when it comes to our health and mental status. So doing what's best for you shouldn't be frowned upon. Take a break and make your comeback even better than when you left.
Featured image by Getty Images
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Charmaine Patterson is a journalist, lifestyle blogger, and a lover of all things pop culture. While she has much experience in covering top entertainment news stories, she aims to share her everyday life experiences, old and new, with other women who can relate, laugh, and love along with her. Follow Char on Twitter @charjpatterson, Instagram @charpatterson, and keep up with her journey at CharJPatterson.com .
Smile, Sis! These Five Improvements Can Upgrade Your Oral Hygiene Instantly
This article is in partnership with Sensodyne.
Our teeth are connected to so many things - our nutrition, our confidence, and our overall mood. We often take for granted how important healthy teeth are, until issues like tooth sensitivity or gum recession come to remind us. Like most things related to our bodies, prevention is the best medicine. Here are five things you can do immediately to improve your oral hygiene, prevent tooth sensitivity, and avoid dental issues down the road.
1) Go Easy On the Rough Brushing: Brushing your teeth is and always will be priority number one in the oral hygiene department. No surprises there! However, there is such a thing as applying too much pressure when brushing…and that can lead to problems over time. Use a toothbrush with soft bristles and brush in smooth, circular motions. It may seem counterintuitive, but a gentle approach to brushing is the most effective way to clean those pearly whites without wearing away enamel and exposing sensitive areas of the teeth.
2) Use A Desensitizing Toothpaste: As everyone knows, mouth pain can be highly uncomfortable; but tooth sensitivity is a whole different beast. Hot weather favorites like ice cream and popsicles have the ability to trigger tooth sensitivity, which might make you want to stay away from icy foods altogether. But as always, prevention is the best medicine here. Switching to a toothpaste like Sensodyne’s Sensitivity & Gum toothpaste specifically designed for sensitive teeth will help build a protective layer over sensitive areas of the tooth. Over time, those sharp sensations that occur with extremely cold foods will subside, and you’ll be back to treating yourself to your icy faves like this one!
3) Floss, Rinse, Brush. (And In That Order!): Have you ever heard the saying, “It’s not what you do, but how you do it”? Well, the same thing applies to taking care of your teeth. Even if you are flossing and brushing religiously, you could be missing out on some of the benefits simply because you aren’t doing so in the right order. Flossing is best to do before brushing because it removes food particles and plaque from places your toothbrush can’t reach. After a proper flossing sesh, it is important to rinse out your mouth with water after. Finally, you can whip out your toothbrush and get to brushing. Though many of us commonly rinse with water after brushing to remove excess toothpaste, it may not be the best thing for our teeth. That’s because fluoride, the active ingredient in toothpaste that protects your enamel, works best when it gets to sit on the teeth and continue working its magic. Rinsing with water after brushing doesn’t let the toothpaste go to work like it really can. Changing up your order may take some getting used to, but over time, you’ll see the difference.
4) Stay Hydrated: Upping your water supply is a no-fail way to level up your health overall, and your teeth are no exception to this rule. Drinking water not only helps maintain a healthy pH balance in your mouth, but it also washes away residue and acids that can cause enamel erosion. It also helps you steer clear of dry mouth, which is a gateway to bad breath. And who needs that?
5) Show Your Gums Some Love: When it comes to improving your smile, you may be laser-focused on getting your teeth whiter, straighter, and overall healthier. Rightfully so, as these are all attributes of a megawatt smile; but you certainly don’t want to leave gum health out of the equation. If you neglect your gums, you’ll start to notice the effects of plaque buildup, which can irritate the gums and cause gingivitis, the earliest stage of gum disease. Seeing blood while brushing and flossing is a tell-tale sign that your gums are suffering. You may also experience gum recession — a condition where the gum tissue surrounding your teeth pulls back, exposing more of your tooth. Brushing at least twice a day with a gum-protecting toothpaste like Sensodyne Sensitivity and Gum, coupled with regular dentist visits, will keep your gums shining as bright as those pearly whites.
We all have a dream life that we spend our free time daydreaming about. You know, the one with a loving partner, high-rise apartment, thriving career, and endless abundance. But as much as we can dream about it, there has to be a little extra sprinkle of “magic” to make it become a reality, and that’s when manifestation comes in.
The uptick in manifestation techniques is nothing new to the internet. Since The Secret and the Law of Attraction became available on YouTube in the early 2010s and fast forward to today, where #manifestationtok and #spiritualtok surging in popularity, it’s clear that there are a number of different ways to get what you want out of life with the right action, affirmation, and visualization.
Still, with so many ways to manifest, from scripting to the 3-6-9 Method, it can be hard to know which one to lean into. But there’s one new technique that’s promising to yield “instant results,” and we’re curious about it.
The "I Am Sure" Manifestation
@hothighpriestess Replying to @A I M E E 🖤 lG: hothighpriestess 🤍 this is the “I am sure” method #iamsuremethod
The “I Am Sure” manifestation gained traction this summer by TikTok creator Sara Perl of @hothighpriestess, who initially introduced the method.
In her original video breaking down the concept, she detailed the steps to use the technique for those looking to “manifest overnight.” To do so, start by stating “I am sure,” followed by “your desired manifestation in the present tense.” If there’s a job, promotion, or text from a crush that you want, then you’d say, “I am sure that I got X job,” or “I am sure that I make a $100K salary.” Repeat this out loud 10 times, or for faster results, write them down on a piece of paper and say it back to yourself whenever the desire comes up.
Using your words and speaking in the present tense, affirmatively, “puts you in the frequency that has that desire,” as Perl states. “We know our thoughts create our reality, but our words create our reality even faster.”
No matter how you choose to manifest your dream life, there’s nothing like channeling a powerful affirmation and some faith to get what you desire. In every instance, though, allow yourself to dismiss any doubt that may try to cloud your hopes in good things coming into your life, and don’t hold too tightly onto the “how” or “when.” Trust the process and know that the “thing” that you desire is just waiting for the perfect time to enter your life.
Happy manifesting.
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Featured image by Tassii/Getty Images