Five Behaviours That Put You At Risk of Burnout

Recognising the behaviours that increase your risk of burnout is an important step in protecting your mental health and overall wellbeing. Many of us fall into these patterns without realising the long-term consequences.

Here are five key behaviours that put you at risk of burnout:

• People-pleasing

• Perfectionism

• Lack of boundaries

• Neglecting self-care

• Overcommitment

1: People-Pleasing

People pleasing refers to an excessive need to make others happy, often at the expense of your own needs. When you constantly prioritise other people's needs over your own, you can feel drained and disconnected from your own goals.

This pattern generally stems from a fear of rejection or disapproval. Do you ever find yourself saying yes to something you know you don't have time for because you fear someone will think badly of you if you say no?

The problem is that when you say yes repeatedly, you leave little time to do the things that are important to you or recharge. People who chronically people please tend to neglect their personal needs, leading to increased stress and resentment. Then, when you can't meet someone’s expectations, feelings of inadequacy can develop, again contributing to your risk of burnout.

2: Perfectionism

Perfectionistic behaviour means setting unrealistically high standards for yourself which are often impossible to meet.

For example, do you ever avoid delegating tasks because you believe no one else can execute them correctly? This fear can result in an overwhelming workload and feelings of isolation. You may procrastinate out of fear of making mistakes, creating a cycle of anxiety and exhaustion.

When you inevitably fall short of your own impossible expectations, stress and mental fatigue build, increasing your risk of burnout.

3: Lack of Boundaries

Without establishing healthy boundaries, you may feel overwhelmed by obligations, reacting to things around you rather than making purposeful decisions and proactively managing your time. This feeling of being reactive can lead to a sense of losing control, increasing the risk of burnout. Do you ever feel like you are constantly busy but can never get anything on your to-do list done?

Managing your mental health is your responsibility and setting personal boundaries is a key part of that.

4: Neglecting Self-Care

In the rush of daily life, self-care can often take a back seat. You may feel guilty or self indulgent about prioritising your own needs. It may be so long since you even thought about your own needs and wants that you have lost touch with what they actually are.

This neglect can show up in various forms, such as poor nutrition, lack of exercise, insufficient sleep or just no time for yourself. When basic needs are unmet, the body and mind can become susceptible to stress and fatigue, significantly raising the risk of burnout.

5: Overcommitment

Balancing work, family, and social obligations can create an overwhelming schedule for anyone. In today's society we often associate being busy with being successful and tend to reward or admire people who are excessively busy. Do you sometimes feel like you are constantly living your life on the thin line between manageable and just too busy?

This chronic busyness leaves no room for resilience and can diminish enjoyment in life. Over time, it drains your energy reserves, creating the perfect conditions for burnout.

Final Thoughts on Behaviours That Put You At Risk of Burnout

Reflecting on my own experience, people-pleasing, perfectionism, lack of boundaries, neglecting self-care, and over commitment all played a part in my burnout.

Recognising behaviors that lead to burnout is an important part of the Anti-Burnout Mindset. Identifying these behaviours and increasing awareness of their potential downside is the first step to creating a more resilient mindset and stopping burnout in its tracks.

Want practical tips to build resilience and prevent burnout? Explore the Balancing Bluebells Anti-Burnout Blog and sign up to my newsletter for ongoing support..