Managing burnout has become essential, especially within the past two years. The lines between work and home have blurred as many employees shifted to working from home, and many are struggling to find balance — leading to more burnout. It’s about so much more than being overworked. It fundamentally changes your wellness and the way you go about your day, and not in a good way. Let’s talk about how to spot burnout, manage symptoms, and avoid facing it in the future.
What is burnout
Burnout is a state of mental, physical, and emotional exhaustion caused by a stressful lifestyle. It can lead to feeling debilitated, empty, cynical, and unable to cope with day-to-day life. Burnout can affect anyone, but it’s primarily discussed in the context of workplace stress. When work life gets more demanding, hours get longer, and employees are overworked, employees often begin dreading their jobs and feeling less capable at work. These feelings are often warning signs of burnout.
Symptoms of burnout
Burnout can manifest in many different ways. Here are changes and signs to look out for:
- Performance: Decrease in work performance, feelings of incompetence, loss of creativity and passion.
- Frustration and cynicism: A disinterest, frustration, and annoyance with work life and other aspects of day-to-day life.
- Emotional: Feeling drained, empty, exhausted, frustrated and helpless.
- Physical: Headaches, heart palpitations, digestive issues and/or stomach aches, and lack of energy.
Speaking with a qualified counsellor can help you identify burnout symptoms and take the right steps to reverse the effects.
Treat and manage burnout
Burnout is treatable with the right tools and lifestyle. A person experiencing burnout can hugely benefit from stepping away from their stressors and taking time for themselves. It’s important to take a step back and consider the factors that led to burnout in the first place. From there, you can shift your lifestyle to avoid burnout in the future.
So while taking time off work or taking a vacation may be short-term solutions, it’s not likely they’ll lead to different long-term outcomes. Take time to map out clear boundaries with the stressors in your life, like caring for your body with proper nutrition, exercising, practicing mindfulness, and making your sleep schedule non-negotiable. In some cases, you may have to step away from your main stressor altogether like moving to a new job or considering different positions. Self-care boundaries are the key to avoiding burnout long-term.
If you or someone close to you is struggling with burnout, Wellin5 can help. Wellin5’s innovative platform matches you with a registered counsellor who meets your specific needs. From identifying burnout symptoms, to setting a long-term plan for better health and wellness. Beat burnout today.