Burnout is a state of chronic stress that can have a significant impact on an individual’s physical, emotional, and mental well-being. It is an issue that can impact anyone, but especially those in high-pressure jobs or have demanding life situations.
What is burnout?
Burnout is a state of physical, emotional, and mental exhaustion that results from prolonged periods of stress and overwork. It might start feeling like disengagement, having a negative outlook, and a reduced sense of accomplishment. Burnout can impact anyone, including caregivers, students, volunteers, and others who feel their job is super demanding.
Signs and symptoms
There are various physical, emotional and behavioral signs and symptoms to look out for. The physical symptoms and signs of burnout can look like feeling tired or drained, having frequent illness, having frequent headaches and muscle pain, and having a change in appetite and sleeping habits. Emotional signs and symptoms might look like feeling you are a sense of failure and/or self-doubt, feeling trapped, helpless and/or defeated, a sense of loneliness, experiencing a loss of motivation, and a decreased sense of accomplishment. Behavioral signs and symptoms of burnout look like withdrawing from responsibilities, isolating from others, procrastinating, participating in unhealthy coping skills like drugs and alcohol, and changing attendance habits at work or school, such as leaving early or arriving late.
Prevention and treatment of burnout
The key to preventing burnout is to identify the causes of stress and take steps to manage it. Some strategies for preventing burnout include setting boundaries, practicing self-care, and engaging in activities that bring happiness and excitement. It is also important to create a support network of friends, family, or colleagues who can provide emotional support and guidance.
If you are already experiencing burnout, there are several steps you can take to help. Seeking professional help from a therapist or counselor can be beneficial in developing coping strategies and addressing other underlying mental health issues. Further, practicing stress-reducing techniques such as meditation, yoga, or exercise can help manage symptoms of burnout. It may also be important to make lifestyle changes, such as reducing hours spent at/on work or re-evaluating personal priorities.
Review
Burnout is a sneaky issue that anyone can experience. It can happen at any time and we might not know it until we are experiencing symptoms of burnout. It can have major impacts on an individual’s well being. You should recognize the signs and take purposeful steps to prevent and address burnout. By setting boundaries, practicing self-care, and seeking professional help, individuals can manage the effects of b burnout and improve their overall quality of life.
About Therapist Bethany Winter, MA, LPC Barnum Counseling
Melinda Smith, M. A. (2023, February 24). Burnout Prevention and Treatment. HelpGuide.org. Retrieved April 28, 2023, from https://www.helpguide.org/articles/stress/burnout-prevention-and-recovery.htm
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