How to Recognize and Ease
Emotional Burn Out

When you're feeling overwhelmed, worn out, and empty, it's nearly impossible to stay on track. This may cause you to feel guilty, resentful, and disappointed. Why? Because your cup is empty and no one seems to notice.

Think of your emotional health like a cup. When it is overflowing, you are at your best and are able to give freely to others. A full cup means you are feeling loved, powerful, and content.

For example, when your cup is full you may tend to be more generous and forgiving. You may compliment others and not expect compliments in return. You recognize that you are happy and that you can spare some happiness to other people. This is a wonderful time as you can give abundantly from the overflow of your cup.

When your cup is low or empty, though, you feel down, unloved, and have little energy to give away. You may feel easily criticized or hurt. You may be more likely to take things personally. When you notice this happening, it is often a sign that your own cup is getting low.

Since your "cup" is internal, it is hard for others to know when you are in need of some love and attention. And when you're not getting what you need, your cup remains empty. Emotional burn out is the result of an empty cup.

What if you need someone else's help to ease your emotional burn out? How do you go about getting time away from the kids, some compliments, or a listening ear? The easiest and most honest way is to ask for what you need.

As much as we would love for other people to know what we need when we need it, that simply is not realistic or fair. Making your needs known is the best way of ensuring that you'll get what you desire. And that's how you'll build your emotional resilience.

What does it take to fill your cup? Alone time? A supportive listening partner? It's different for everyone. But you can figure what you need, and sometimes that simply may be time and space to re-energize your spirit!

You can avoid emotional burn out by working with a life coach to:

* recognize when your cup is getting low

* discover what helps you to rebound

* identify your support systems and practice asking for what you need

You can enjoy more emotional resilience and help keep yourself more balanced!