A Self-Reflective Evaluation About Avoiding and Recovering from Burnout

by Christine Buckingham, PhD, LCPC, NCC

Life in Balance to Guard against Burnout

  • Sense of effective stewardship in all domains of one’s life

  • Effective Ministry

  • Healthy Boundaries

  • Healthy Marriage and Family Adequate Rest

Recognizing Symptoms

  • Little things make you disproportionately frustrated

  • You’ve become more cynical

  • Decreased productivity

  • Sleep doesn’t refuel you

  • Motivation has faded

  • Passion lost for your ministry

  • The people you’re ministering to begin to irritate you Isolating yourself

  • Destructive coping mechanisms – unhealthy behaviors including addictive behaviors

  • Marital discord

  • Feeling disconnected from family or friends

  • Feeling disconnected from God

Prescription

  • Connection and Authenticity

  • Adequate time for Rest and Sleep

  • Nutrition Physical Care and Exercise

  • Relaxation and Vacation

  • Prayer and Worship – personally and corporately

  • Rich personal devotional life

  • Healthy Boundaries

  • Margin and Managing Priorities

  • Adequate uninterrupted time with family

Life Christian Counseling Network ©2020