The power of proactive skills in preventing burnout
For a few years, I have been thinking about the concept of wellness and how proactive skills can prevent burnout by shifting our perspectives. It has become something I discuss with my clients, my husband and anyone who will listen. I am beginning my journey in expressing my thoughts and ideas to a broader audience. The goal of this blog post is to help in proactively promoting well-being through our thought processes.Changing the Paradigm
Our paradigms, or the ways we view the world, shape our experiences and responses to those experiences. By changing our paradigms, we can prevent burnout and promote wellness. Understanding how we think and learning to control our thoughts is key in this process. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) techniques are particularly useful in this endeavor.Learning to Identify Your Level of Stress
Recognizing and understanding our stress levels is crucial for managing our reactions to various situations. It's a proactive skill that can prevent the spiral into negative emotions and behaviors. One effective tool for this is journaling, as it can help us notice the impact of our thinking on our mood and facilitate the shift in thought patterns.Shifting Perspective: Ways to Practice Wellness
Shifting our perspective isn't just about changing our thoughts; it's about altering our overall approach to life. It's not what we do some of the time, but what we do all the time that matters. Some practical ways to achieve this shift include:Looking Inward:
It's easy to blame our external environment for our issues. However, we can't control what's outside of us. We can control our thoughts about our environment, which is what truly impacts how we feel and, ultimately, our overall environment.Experiment:
Thought experiments can be useful in this regard. These experiments involve identifying and testing our assumptions, beliefs, or predictions about situations, then learning how these elements influence our behavior, feelings, and physical reactions. The goal is to become more aware of our thought processes and how they impact our wellbeing.Practice:
Regular practice is essential for maintaining a shifted perspective. Meditation and reflection are great ways to practice, helping to calm the nervous system and promote positive thinking.
Takeaways
Wellness is not just about what we do, but how we think. We can manage our preparation for situations, our interpretations of situations, and our reactions to situations. The environment is not the cause of our emotions, but how we interpret our environment. If things become too much or too overwhelming, it's important to ask for help. And remember, practicing wellness is a proactive skill that can prevent burnout and promote overall wellbeing.Next Steps
I'd love to hear your thoughts on this topic. Please feel free to email me with any questions, thoughts, or ideas. You can also visit my website and sign up for my email list, where I'll be sharing helpful tips and other offerings.