Career Reorientation After Burnout
How connection to nature and coaching can help.
A burnout can turn life upside down and force many people to rethink their career path. If you want to reorient yourself professionally after a burnout, you are not alone. With a process of reorientation, this phase of life offers a great opportunity to steer your life in a more fulfilling and healthier direction. In this article, you will learn how coaching and nature can help you find your way and stay healthy long-term.
Understand Your Burnout
Burnout is more than just extreme exhaustion. It is a signal from your body and mind that fundamental changes are necessary. Before you begin your career reorientation, it is important to understand the causes of your burnout. What led to your condition? What working conditions and lifestyles were unhealthy for you? This reflection is the first step towards healing and reorientation. A coach, for example, can support you in this.
The Healing Power of Nature
Nature-loving people often find comfort and recovery in nature. Studies¹ have shown that time outdoors reduces stress, improves mood, and promotes mental clarity. Use these natural resources during your recovery phase. Whether it's regular walks in the woods, gardening, or a weekend in the mountains – nature can restore your inner balance and help you gain new perspectives.
Career Reorientation - Find Your Path
After a burnout, it is important to find a professional activity that matches your strengths and reflects your values and needs. Here are some steps that can help you with your reorientation:
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Self-Reflection: Consider which aspects of your previous work you enjoyed and which you did not. What gives you energy? What drains your energy?
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Discover Interests: Explore new interests and hobbies. Perhaps there are activities that have always fascinated you but you never pursued.
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Further Education: Take advantage of continuing education opportunities to acquire new skills or deepen existing knowledge.
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Networking: Connect with people in your desired professional field. Informal conversations can offer valuable insights and opportunities.
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Practical Steps: Set small, achievable goals to gradually advance your career reorientation.
Coaching - Your Support on the Path to Reorientation
An experienced coach can be a valuable partner on your path to professional reorientation. Coaching supports you in rediscovering your strengths and interests and setting realistic goals. Kerstin from waldzeit Coaching offers a safe space where you can calmly and without pressure organize your thoughts and learn to develop new strategies.
Sustainable Lifestyle: Prevention of Further Burnout
After a burnout, it is crucial to establish a sustainable lifestyle to prevent a recurrence. Here are some tips:
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Find Balance: Ensure a balanced ratio between work and leisure. Schedule regular breaks and recovery phases.
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Healthy Habits: Eat healthily, get enough sleep, and integrate regular exercise into your daily routine.
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Mindfulness: Practice mindfulness and stress management techniques such as meditation or yoga to promote your mental and emotional health.
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Set Boundaries: Learn to say "No" and respect your own boundaries.
Conclusion: Your Path to a Fulfilled Life
Reorientation after a burnout is a journey that requires time and patience. With the support of a coach and the healing power of nature, you can find your own path to a healthier and more fulfilling life. Use this opportunity to rediscover yourself and find a professional activity that reflects your true nature and brings you long-term joy.
If you are looking for support on your path to career reorientation after a burnout, do not hesitate to seek professional help. An experienced coach can help you gain clarity, set goals, and take the necessary steps to realize your vision. Start today towards a healthier and happier future!
Sources & Further Information
¹ Studies - an excerpt:
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The Benefits of Nature Experience: Improved Affect and Cognition (Berman, Jonides, & Kaplan, 2008): This study shows that walks in nature can improve short-term memory and attention span compared to urban environments. Source.
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Nature Experience Reduces Rumination and Subgenual Prefrontal Cortex Activation (Bratman, Hamilton, Hahn, Daily, & Gross, 2015): Researchers found that people who spent ninety minutes in nature showed less activity in the prefrontal cortex, an area of the brain associated with brooding and depression. Source.
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Healthy Parks Healthy People: The Health Benefits of Contact with Nature in a Park Context (Maller, Townsend, Pryor, Brown, & St Leger, 2006): This review summarizes various studies showing that time spent in parks and natural environments reduces stress, improves mood, and strengthens the immune system. Source.
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The Influence of Urban Green Environments on Stress Relief Measures: A Field Experiment (Stigsdotter, et al., 2010): The study shows that spending time in green urban environments can lower blood pressure and increase feelings of calm and recovery. Source
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Greenspace and Health: An Overview of the Evidence (Mitchell & Popham, 2008): This research found that people living near green spaces have lower mortality rates and better overall well-being. Source.
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Forest Bathing Enhances Human Natural Killer Activity and Expression of Anti-Cancer Proteins (Li, et al., 2008): The research shows that time spent in forests (also known as "Shinrin-Yoku" or forest bathing) can increase the activity of natural killer cells in the body, which strengthens the immune system and potentially has anti-cancer effects. Source.