How to heal yourself from burnout | Sophie Scott | TEDxKatoomba

Summary

The speaker, a former TV reporter, recounts her journey from invulnerability to burnout, triggered by relentless work and stress. She candidly shares her experiences, including the physical toll it took, and emphasizes the importance of self-care and daily practices for recovery. The narrative serves as a cautionary tale, urging listeners to prioritize their well-being and live a life aligned with their values, rather than being defined solely by their work.

Takeaways

• 📺 The speaker had a dream job as a TV reporter, specializing in health stories.
• 💔 They experienced burnout despite having a fulfilling job, showing that burnout can happen to anyone.
• 🏥 The speaker met inspiring individuals like Carol, Rachel, Johnny, and Andrea, highlighting the emotional impact of their job.
• 🚫 The realization that having a great job does not prevent burnout was a hard lesson learned.
• ☕ The speaker's reliance on caffeine and alcohol to manage stress took a toll on their health.
• 🌪️ A sudden wave of dizziness during a healthcare awards event served as a wake-up call about their health.
• 🔍 Chronic stress was identified as the cause of the speaker's physical symptoms and burnout.
• 🔢 Research indicates that 50% of the workforce feels some degree of burnout, affecting even high performers.
• 🤔 The speaker questioned their self-worth tied to productivity and recognized the need for change.
• 🧘‍♀️ Recovery from burnout involved daily practices like meditation, movement, and connecting with joyful people.
• 🚩 The speaker encourages reflecting on one's legacy and living a life aligned with personal values, not just work.

Q & A

What was the speaker's dream job?

The speaker's dream job was being a TV reporter specializing in health, where they got to tell patient stories and give them a voice.

Who are Carol, Rachel, Johnny, and Andrea?

Carol was a cancer patient the speaker met and shared her story with. Rachel and Johnny were a couple who lost their daughter Mackenzie to a genetic illness. Andrea was a mum with multiple sclerosis who underwent a stem cell transplant that transformed her health.

What was the turning point that made the speaker realize they were not invincible?

The turning point was when the speaker experienced a wave of dizziness while presenting awards at a black tie dinner for healthcare workers, which was unexpected and led to a realization about their health.

What was the speaker's routine to cope with stress before experiencing burnout?

The speaker would start the day with coffee to get going and have a few glasses of wine at night to wind down.

What was the wake-up call for the speaker regarding their health?

The wake-up call was experiencing dizziness while presenting an award at a healthcare workers' dinner, which was a physical manifestation of the chronic stress they were under.

What does the speaker mean by 'the body keeps score'?

The phrase 'the body keeps score' refers to the idea that the body records the effects of chronic stress, no matter how good one's job might be, and it was a realization for the speaker that stress was taking a toll on their health.

What percentage of the workforce feels some degree of burnout according to the speaker?

According to the speaker, research shows that 50% of the workforce feels some degree of burnout.

Why are high performers more susceptible to burnout?

High performers are more susceptible to burnout because they tend to overwork, which is not necessarily more productive or even happier, and can lead to physical and emotional exhaustion.

What does the speaker suggest is the key to recovering from burnout?

The key to recovering from burnout, according to the speaker, is embedding daily practices that regulate the nervous system, such as meditation, movement, and connecting with joyful people.

What is the speaker's advice on how to live life according to one's values?

The speaker advises to listen to what the body is telling you, to think of oneself as an eight-year-old in a rocking chair considering what will have mattered, and to ensure that current actions align with those values.

How does the speaker compare recovering from burnout to setting a course for a destination?

The speaker compares recovering from burnout to setting a course for a destination by suggesting that making small, consistent changes daily can lead to a significantly different outcome, just as changing a ship's course by one percent every day will lead to a different destination.