When celebrities like Britney Spears sing “work, b*tch!” and Beyonce encourages women to “run the world,” do they consider the consequences of working too hard?
Let’s face it, more often than not, women are prone to feeling burnt out. This can lead to stress, anxiety, and misalignment with oneself, not to mention serious health issues. So how do you go from feeling drained to feeling fulfilled and empowered? The answer lies in radical self-care.
The work-hard myth
We live in a culture that values hard work above almost everything else. However, many successful people have found that putting in long hours at work does not guarantee success or happiness.
In fact, research suggests that working too hard can actually lead to burnout and unhappiness. A study conducted by the University of Miami found that those who worked more than 60 hours per week were twice as likely to report feelings of depression compared to those who worked 40-hour weeks.
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The cost of working too hard
Those who work too much tend to have poor sleep habits which can lead to decreased productivity; they may also experience feelings of anxiety and guilt if they don’t feel like they are doing enough. Feeling burnt out can also lead to physical problems such as obesity and heart disease due to lack of exercise and unhealthy eating habits.
Understanding burnout
In a world where accomplishments are valued more than anything else, women especially tend to push themselves too hard in order to stay ahead of the competition. As a result, burnout is all too common among ambitious women who strive for perfection in everything they do. Although they’re expected to put their mental and physical health on a back burner, caring for yourself is *essential* to living a healthy, fulfulling life.
This makes it even more important that they do not just practice self-care, but that they radically take care of themselves in order to recharge and reclaim their power.
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What is radical self-care?
It’s a form of intentional self-care that involves taking deliberate steps to create positive changes in your life. The key to reclaiming yourself is learning how to balance your goals with your own needs.
Here are five tips on how you can start reclaiming yourself and break free from feeling burnt out:
[1] Take some time for yourself every day
Whether it’s taking a day off work just to relax, or going away on a weekend getaway with friends, taking the time to unplug from the world will give you the clarity you need to move forward in life with positivity and optimism.
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[2] Set boundaries with others
This means saying no when someone asks too much of you or doesn’t respect your wishes. It’s important to remember that setting boundaries does not mean being selfish; rather, it means understanding where your limits are so that you don’t overextend yourself or become resentful over time.
[3] Unplug from technology
The constant barrage of notifications from social media accounts can cause anxiety and leave us feeling overwhelmed. Try unplugging for an hour each day; just turn off your phone and disconnect from the world around you so that you can reconnect with yourself.
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[4] Realign with you
Just sit with yourself for a few minutes and focus on how your body feels. Mindful breathing exercises are great ways to reduce stress levels quickly. When you’ve become used to mindfulness, try and look into your own eyes in the mirror, even if only for ten seconds. No judgment. Just look. It is a great practice to start reconnecting with yourself and loving yourself.
[5] Make your soul sing
One of the best ways to find fulfilment in life after feeling burnt out is by lighting yourself up. This could be anything from treating yourself to an indulgent spa day to dancing around your living room. Allowing yourself moments each day where you can let go of all expectations and truly connect with who you are will help make decisions that are aligned with who you are deep down.
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Being burnt out can often feel like an insurmountable obstacle, but it doesn’t have to be if we practice radical self-care techniques. Radical self-care is about listening deeply to your inner voice and trusting in your intuition. Remember that taking care of yourself is not selfish; it’s essential if you want to remain energized throughout life’s journey.