We all lead busy lives with lots of different demands on our time. We can find ourselves running around like headless chickens sometimes, and it can affect our health. If we can recognise in ourselves when we are reaching burnout, it will help massively. There is a big difference in being tired and being exhausted.

So if you find that you are regularly tired and a experiencing a few of the following symptoms, it is time to take action. You need to devote a little time to yourself and take plenty of rest. Traditional Chinese Medicine or TCM Theory & Diagnostics works on looking at the problems that affect your health. If you think you are heading towards exhaustion, you need to get to the bottom of why.

1. Your Mind Is In A Muddle

Your brain needs rest, just like your body does. Sleep helps to process the events of the day and deal with what is happening in your body. So if you are finding that you aren’t sleeping well, your brain can’t process things correctly. So you might find yourself forgetting small things or getting confused more easily than normal. You will most likely feel more irritable too. More sleep is the key!

2. You Are Eating Badly

When we’re feeling run down, we seem to crave everything that is bad for us. High sugar and high carbohydrate foods are what we want when we are feeling exhausted. It will make us feel even worse, though. Have you been finding that you are eating more sugar than usual? Not making any meals from scratch when you use to? If so, you could be heading for burnout. You need to be fueling your body with healthy foods like fruits and whole grains. They have a low-glycaemic index and that can help stabilise your blood sugar. It will make you have more energy as you won’t get highs and lows that eating a lot of sugar gives.

3. You Aren’t Enjoying Exercise Anymore

When you are heading for exhaustion, it can affect every aspect of your life. You won’t find the same things enjoyable, and you won’t have the energy to do what you normally do. When you exercise, it needs your body and mind to focus. When you are heading for exhaustion, you just won’t be wanting to focus on anything like exercise. If it is something that you would do a lot and enjoy, it is a sure fire way of recognising that you need to take time out and rest up.

4. Your Skin Is Dry

If you are finding that your skin is dry, and your lips are cracked and sore, you are heading towards exhaustion. Dehydration is most likely the culprit, and it goes hand in hand with feeling run down. Your body is made up of a lot of water and it needs a lot of water, to function as it should. If you are exhausted, your body will be trying to compensate for it. As a result, you will be left feeling dehydrated, thirsty and tired.