SO HOW CLOSE TO BURNOUT ARE YOU?

1. I am easily upset by small things Often, score 2, sometimes, score 1 or never, score 0 2. I often try to please others Often 2, sometimes 1, never 0 3. I find it hard to breathe or breathe excessively Often 2, sometimes 1, never 0 4. I feel impatient if I’m delayed Often 2, sometimes 1, never 0 5. I often feel lonely Often 2, sometimes 1, never 0 6. I feel refreshed when I wake up Often 0, sometimes 1, never 2 7. I worry what others think of me Often 2, sometimes 1, never 0 8. I wake naturally in the morning Often 0, sometimes 1, never 2 9. I have quality time with friends Often 0, sometimes 1, never 2 10. I worry about how things will turn out Often 2, sometimes 1, never 0

11. I check my phone compulsively Often 2, sometimes 1, never 0 12. I can turn my technology off at the weekend Often 0, sometimes 1, never 2 13. I compare my life to the stories I read on social media Often 2, sometimes 1, never 0 14. I feel I my life has purpose Often 0, sometimes 1, never 2 15. I worry about money Often 2, sometimes 1, never 0 16. I can let my mistakes go Often 0, sometimes 1, never 2 17. I feel happy with my looks Often 0, sometimes 1, never 2 18. I feel full of energy Often 0, sometimes 1, never 2 19. I fall asleep on the sofa before bedtime Often 2, sometimes 1, never 0 20. I dream of a different life Often 2, sometimes 1, never 0

YOUR RESULTS 0–10

IF You scored 0 for many answers, you’re taking good care of yourself and your emotions; perhaps you’ve developed practices for switching off.

Look carefully at the questions you scored 1 or 2 for — now is the time to address areas of your life that feel overwhelming, frustrating or disappointing. It is not a case of ‘fixing’ these areas; but about asking yourself what you need and what you wish to give.

11–20

SoMetIMeS, it’s harder to pause when everything on the surface seems good, albeit with a nagging sense of unease.

It feels selfish to complain, but you can’t seem to stop worrying about what might go wrong, or you don’t feel passionate about life any more. take the chance to press pause, before life does it for you. Be ready to ask yourself uncomfortable questions, but recognise that these are key to opening up your horizons.

21–40

the signs are there for you: your body and/or your heart are showing you it’s time to take better care of yourself, to give yourself a bit of space.

It might be frightening to think of spending time alone, with no phone to check and only a blank page. But deep down, you know you need this, even if you fear pausing may be setting yourself up for more disappointment, confusion or heartache.

keeping going is the one thing that is keeping you from falling apart. It is important to be gentle with yourself as you pause and allow your life to slow down, to let what really matters to you come to the surface.