Burnout has likely always been a factor in human existence, but as mankind has become more technologically advanced, and the pressures to meet the various societal pressures and expectations have risen to unrealistic standards. As a result, the pressure to be “successful” has become an excuse to ignore what used to be basic biological signals.
Being chronically tired, angry, depressed, shaky, nervous, anxious… These are just a few of the common symptoms which accompany the onset and development of burnout.
What is Burnout?
Defined by the World Health Organization as, “a syndrome… resulting from chronic workplace stress that has not been successfully managed.” These are noted in three ways: feelings of depleted energy levels often to the point of exhaustion; an increase in the mental and emotional distance from a person’s job, which can be characterized by negative feelings and a disinterest in the performance of duties.
All this compounds into a reduction of efficacy in work. While the manifestation of signs of burnout are individualized in many respects the consistent presentation are common in things like disillusionment, anxiety, depression, and disconnection from responsibilities.
Burnout can be caused by many things: consistently long hours; stressful working conditions, emotionally, mentally, or physically; lack of support from management; unrealistic demands in performance; financial concerns; hopelessness and or powerlessness to change a situation for the better. These are vague and generalized; they point to more specific possibilities in a person’s life.
The following are other examples of why burnout happens and how to deal with it in a healthy way.
Examples of Burnout
Overworked
The pressures to succeed in life and business are high, but when that is compounded with expectations on the job which are consistently difficult or even unrealistic to the situation, those who have to rise to the demands— sometimes while being understaffed or underappreciated— are left feeling overworked.
Poor Management
No one likes a bad boss. While that can come in many forms— unrealistic demand, insensitivity, neglect— when employees have to deal with hard work situations like being overworked on top of having to deal with and tiptoeing around an unruly boss, things can get unhealthy fast. Most people want to feel seen and trusted to do a good job without having a boss breathing down their necks, but having to deal with the fear of how a boss may react is also very troubling and can contribute to the onset of burnout.
If people don’t feel like they can express their ideas, concerns, or truths openly, then those thoughts can form into anxiety and stress. Sometimes working toward a career change with the help of continuing education may be the healthiest solution.
High Stress Levels
Every job situation is different and a combination of many different factors. Being that stress levels are always directly related to the nuances of work environments and filtered through individual experience; people’s stress thresholds are going to vary.
Generally speaking, however, high stress environments due to unrealistic deadlines or demands, understaffing, unhealthy social dynamics, and financial concerns, all mix together to increase stress levels. Being that so many factors are often out of people’s control means that they have to suffer through the situations as best as possible— even if it drags on for months or years at a time. It is one thing whether a passing storm of a situation, it is an entirely another matter to have to walk into a nearly unbearable situation day after day without any positive change.
Tips for Alleviating Burnout
Take Breaks
Everyone has a limit to their focus. When things are harder than usual, it can be difficult to maintain focus for longer periods of time. Scheduling moments throughout the day to take breaks, like going for walks, or listening to music, chatting with friends or even taking a nap can help revitalize and refocus the mind and body.
Communication
It takes courage to communicate clearly, but doing so when things are hard can be intimidating. Learning to recognize and acknowledge when and how the body and mind are reacting to a stressful situation is the first step, but communicating what’s going on is vital. Ideally, that communication will be directed to a boss that not only hears but can do something to help the situation.
Self-Care
Self Care comes in many forms from exercise, eating right, good sleep, and even meditation to name a few. Being that there are many different forms of self-care implementing a regular practice of one or more of these habits can be a very effective work-life balance strategy.
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