Let’s talk about burnout
When we talk about burnout what comes to mind? Perhaps Images of people exhausted, working all hours of the day, or people consuming caffeine drink like there’s no tomorrow. According to the World Health Organisation burnout is not classified as a medical condition but as an occupational phenomenon. Let’s look at the definition below: Burnout is defined as follows:
‘burn-out is a syndrome conceptualised as resulting from chronic workplace stress that has not been successfully manage. It is characterised by three dimensions:
- Feelings of energy depletion or exhaustion.
- Increased mental distance from one’s job, or feelings of negativism or cynicism related to one’s job; and
- Reduced professional efficacy.’
The WHO’s definition points out Burnout should not be applied to describe experience in other areas of life.
Let’s take a step back here! Whilst researching ‘burnout’ I came across a report that highlighted that 44% of GP’s experience burnout. Let’s process this for a moment! It’s not just GPs but also the impact of Covid on NHS frontline staff has been immense. Clients who I have worked with from the NHS are experiencing high levels of stress and are finding hard to function both at work and in their personal lives.
I believe that burnout also affects employees in all industries it’s just not documented yet. Post pandemic will see a huge rise in publications around stress and anxiety and the impact this has had on not juts individuals, organisations and communities but globally. But first, let’s step back briefly to 1974 where this relatively new term ’burnout’ was coined by Herbert Freudenberger in his book, Burnout: The High Cost of High Achievement. Since then, a lot more research has gone into areas of stress and burnout. Although burnout isn’t classified as a psychological disorder as such it doesn’t mean it shouldn’t be taken more seriously. If we consider burnout as an extended period of stress with feelings that it will never end alongside feelings of hopelessness, apathy and hopelessness this may indicate the path towards burnout.
Signs & Symptoms
How do you know if your burnt out or heading towards it? Let’s look at the most common signs and symptoms:
- Alienation from work-related activities: People experiencing burnout perceive their jobs as becoming increasingly stressful and frustrating. They begin to grow in cynicism around their working conditions and their colleagues and engage in escape fantasies. They may become emotionally distant and feelings of numbness around their job role is likely to be present
- Physical symptoms: Chronic stress can lead to physical symptoms and frequent illness as it can lower the immune system making you more susceptible to flus and colds! Other symptoms can include headaches, gastrointestinal issues, severe sleep issues and eventually lead to mental health conditions such as anxiety and depression.
- Emotional exhaustion: Feelings of being unable to cope, exhaustion and lethargy lacking the energy and motivation to complete tasks. People working in caring professions such as doctors/nurses may begin to show signs of ‘compassion fatigue’ directed at those under their care. This may also be paired with the feeling of no longer being able to do their job.
- Reduced performance: Burnout mostly affects everyday tasks at work or in the home where the main job may be a caring role looking after family members. Having a difficulty focussing and lacking that sense of creativity.
- Isolation & loneliness: People experiencing burnout tend to feel overwhelmed. This can lead to not socialising, talking to friends, family members and colleagues. Lockdown has magnified feelings of loneliness for some more than others.
How to prevent burnout:
If we look at burnout at work, having fun can boost feelings of dedication, forge existing and new work relationships and encourage better communication within a team.
If you are reading this blog and have found yourself nodding away because you experience high levels of stress and don’t really take any steps to manage it, exhaustion can eventually take over and override all your normal coping mechanisms. Ultimately, leaving you feeling emotionally and physically burnt out.
Consider investing in your self care and talk to a therapist.
Taking that initial step, the hardest step to get help is one of the biggest investments you will make. Perhaps your high stress levels have taken a toll on your relationships, work-life balance and general quality of life? One thing is for sure is that accessing professional help is beneficial. Seeking help form a professional can assist you to identify the causes, explore possible coping methods, and help you to find the answers to work your way through the obstacles you are currently faced with in your life. Working with individuals who are experiencing burnout at my practice enables my clients to access a safe and confidential place to let go of negative thought and behaviours. Seeing clients begin to regain control in their lives and begin to believe and achieve and aspire to their success is wonderful to see.
Remind yourself about the things that make you happy
Experiencing burnout can really exhaust a person and this makes it hard to focus on what makes a person happy and activities a person used to enjoy are along distance memory. Starting a daily journal can help you to note down the positives and remember it doesn’t have to be the big things in life! In fact, it can be those small things like, you felt the sun on your face, or you heard a bird singing. This will increase the production of serotonin in your brain and make you feel more positive. Why not engage in some mindfulness or meditation practice to start your day and ground yourself before the day begins. Countless studies have been conducted that highlight that those who practice mindfulness/meditation are more content with life and able to cope a lot better.
Examine your work
Really takes some time out to weigh up the pro’s and cons of your current role. Is your employer expecting you to work unofficially out of your normal hours? Or perhaps you just can’t stop tweeting about work related topics because of a fear of missing out? Whatever the reason, making the space to examine where you are is valuable in so many ways. Perhaps, a career change is overdue? Or you really need to speak to you manager about your role? Whatever it may be remember that noticing the signs and symptoms of burnout will hold you in good stead for the future. Burnout IS reversible, catching yourself before you fall will give you the control to get yourself back to where you need to be.
If this blog resonated with you and you would like to speak about your current situation. Feel free to get in touch and drop me a message in the contact us box on my website.
Sadaf Akhtar
Wellbeing Specialist & Trainer
Founder of Resonate Success
