People who cannot cope with working stress are at significant risk of burnout. Burnout may leave individuals exhausted and unable to cope with life’s obligations.
Burnout can result from a wide range of physical and mental issues. Burnout, if left untreated, can make it hard for a person to operate successfully in their everyday life.
What Exactly Is Burnout?
Burnout is a phrase coined in 1974 by Herbert Freudenberger in his book. He initially described burnout as “the loss of motivation or drive, particularly when one’s dedication to a relationship or cause fails to achieve the intended outcomes.”
Burnout is a reaction to long-term or chronic job stress that is characterized by three major dimensions:
- Weariness
- Cynicism (lack of affiliation with the job)
- Emotions of diminished professional abilities
Burnout occurs when you are fatigued; begin to dislike your job and start feeling less capable at work.
The stress or anxiety that leads to burnout can be attributed to your work, but your whole lifestyle can also contribute to this stress. Personality qualities and cognitive patterns like perfectionism and pessimism can also play a role.
The majority of individuals spend the majority of their time at work. And if you despise your job, dread coming to work, and get no joy from what you do, it may have a significant impact on your life.
Signs and Symptoms
While burnout is not a diagnosable psychological condition, it is a case that would be handled seriously.
Outlined are some of the most prevalent symptoms of career stress and burnout:
Apathy toward work-related activities: Individuals suffering from burnout regard their professions as increasingly stressful and irritating. They may become cynical about their working environment and coworkers. They can also become emotionally detached from their work and numb to it.
Physical symptoms: Chronic stress can cause physical symptoms such as headaches, stomachaches, and digestive problems.
Emotional exhaustion: People burn out, feel drained, unable to cope, and tired. They frequently lack the energy to complete their tasks.
Reduced performance: Burnout primarily impacts day-to-day responsibilities at work—or home if one’s primary job entails caring for family members. Individuals suffering from burnout have a terrible attitude about tasks. They will have trouble concentrating and are frequently lacking in inventiveness.
It exhibits some of the same symptoms as mental health problems such as depression. Individuals suffering from depression have terrible sensations and thoughts about many parts of their lives, not just work.
Depression symptoms might include a loss of interest in activities, feelings of hopelessness, cognitive and bodily problems, and suicidal ideation.
The Risk Factors
Burnout is not usually the result of a high-stress job. If stress is adequately controlled, there may be no adverse consequences.
However, some people (and those in specific jobs) are at an enormous risk than others. According to the National Physician Depression, Burnout, and Suicide Report, 44% of physicians suffer burnout.
Individuals with specific personality traits and lifestyle factors are more likely to burn out due to their hefty workloads.
It’s not just health workers who are suffering from burnout. Individuals in every industry and at every level are at risk. Work Employee burnout has five significant reasons, according to a Gallup survey.
Unreasonable time constraints: Employees who report having enough time to complete their tasks are 70% less likely to have high burnout. Individuals who cannot get more time, such as firefighters and paramedics, are more likely to experience burnout.
Communication gap and assistance: Manager assistance provides a psychological barrier against stress. Employees who feel warmly supported by their manager are 70% less likely to burn out regularly.
Uncertainty about one’s role: Only 60% of employees understand what is expected. Employees may grow fatigued simply attempting to figure out what they are expected to be doing when goals are like moving targets.
The workload is unmanageable: Even the most enthusiastic employees will feel despondent when their task becomes unbearable. Overwhelming feelings can rapidly lead to burnout.
Unjust treatment: Employees who believe they are being unfairly treated at work are 2.3 times more likely to get burned out. Favoritism, unfair compensation, and abuse by a coworker are all examples of unfair treatment.
Prevention and Treatment
Although the term “burnout” implies a permanent state, it is not. If a person is feeling burned out, they may need to modify their work environment.
Approaching the human resources department or speaking with a supervisor about workplace difficulties may be beneficial if they develop a healthy work environment.
A change in role or a new job may be required in some circumstances to curb burnout. It can also be beneficial to develop specific strategies for dealing with stress.
Self-care practices such as eating a nutritious diet, exercising regularly, and practicing healthy sleeping habits may help mitigate some of the impacts of high-stress work.
A vacation may also provide some reprieve, but a few days away from the office will not be enough to help you overcome burnout. Regularly scheduled work breaks and daily renewal activities can be pretty beneficial in combating burnout.
Professional help is needed if you’re feeling burnout and can’t figure out how to get out of it or if you suspect you have a mental health issue like depression or an anxiety disorder.
Having therapy or consultation with a mental health professional may be what you haven’t tried of late and can help you curb burnout.