A burnout is a state of emotional, physical, and mental exhaustion caused by prolonged stress, often related to work or personal pressures. It can lead to a range of serious effects, including chronic fatigue, lack of motivation, irritability, and feelings of detachment. Burnout doesn’t just affect professional performance; it can disrupt personal relationships, physical health, and overall well-being. Individuals experiencing burnout may struggle to manage daily tasks, leading to reduced productivity and an overwhelming sense of defeat. Addressing burnout early is crucial for recovery, as untreated burnout can result in long-term mental and physical health issues.
When Hans Zuidwijk (40) was on the verge of burnout, he booked a burnout program at Kamalaya Wellness Sanctuary. Upon returning home, he felt like a new person.
Hans: “You work hard when you’re self-employed. And it hasn’t been easy in my sector in recent years. I was noticing that work was taking more and more out of me, emotionally. Then last year, our son became ill and my parents became dependent. That’s when I came unstuck. The doctor told me ‘you’re overworked, you need to slow down, as of now.’ But how do you do that? You can’t just drop everything. After the umpteenth sleepless night, that was it: I literally couldn’t drag myself out of bed in the morning. My batteries were totally empty. My wife was shocked: she had no idea it was that bad. It was at that point that I made a few drastic decisions. I got someone in to temporarily take over a number of client accounts for me, and arranged help and support for my parents. I found it really difficult to hand over the reigns. I explained to everyone at the time that there was no other way.”
'After that, I went on a solo holiday to Kamalaya Wellness Sanctuary in Thailand. I couldn’t remember the last time I had been alone with myself. Just having a break from responsibilities was a huge relief. Not feeling any pressure on my shoulders was truly uplifting. I joined the 'Embracing Change' program, and the one-on-one coaching sessions were particularly beneficial. During these sessions, I realized why I always took on so much and where my deep sense of responsibility came from. I learned that it’s okay to delegate tasks to others and sometimes stepping back is better than constantly pushing forward.'
“When I got back home, I felt like a different person. I made some very conscious decisions: started eating healthier, and ‘living life’ more regularly. I also scaled back my working week from five to four days: I keep Wednesdays for my family. I get a massage every Friday to help relieve the stress from the work week. I know the signs and know when things are heading in the wrong direction. Of course: life isn’t without its stresses. But I can manage them better now. And I’ve promised myself to go on an anti-stress holiday at least once a year. Prevention is better than cure, after all.”