Are you experiencing Burnout?

yourbodyandmind1
Apr 1
4 min read

Burnout is a growing issue affecting millions of people across various workplaces. It is often overlooked, yet it can lead to serious consequences for both individuals and the workplace so understanding burnout is essential.

What is Burnout?

Burnout is defined as a state of emotional, physical, and mental exhaustion resulting from prolonged stress. It often shows up as extreme fatigue, detachment from work and/or life, and feelings of ineffectiveness. Unlike common stress, burnout leaves people feeling thoroughly drained.

The Symptoms of Burnout

Identifying the symptoms of burnout early on is vital for addressing the issue effectively. Common signs include:

Chronic Fatigue: Feeling tired all the time, even after a full night’s sleep. This can be linked to significant declines in productivity—one study found that burnt-out employees at work may work hours without contributing meaningful results.
Cynicism or Detachment: A growing negativity towards work (and life) and disconnection from colleagues. Not feeling motivated in a role that you once enjoyed.
Reduced Performance: A noticeable drop in productivity and efficiency leading to self critical thoughts that can have a knock on effect both at work and in your personal life.

Understanding these signs can help individuals seek support before burnout escalates into a more serious condition.

Causes of Burnout

To combat burnout effectively, it's essential to understand its root causes. Common contributors consist of:

Work Overload: A heavy workload and tight (and unrealistic) deadlines can create an overwhelming atmosphere. Too many demands and not enough coping resources! Not saying no to things, not prioritising tasks, not delegating tasks where possible all contribute to burnout.
Lack of Control: Employees often feel powerless in situations where they cannot influence their work or decision-making.
Insufficient Rewards: A lack of recognition for the effort and hard work that you put into your job. It really does help!

People Pleasing and high standards for self

Needing others to like us or beliefs that we must work hard in order to achieve good results are definitely a factors and influence for burn out. This can often be the case in care giving roles such as nursing and psychotherapy where we may put alot responsibility on ourselves to achieve outcomes for others and worried about the consequences if we don't do a good enough job leading to overworking (for example often working late or starting early, not saying no to tasks you are unable to complete given the amount of time you have been allocated, self critical thoughts, wondering why you cant achieve set standard and why you cant do it all.

Lack of balance outside of work

Being consumed by work that its all you can think about due to the fact your aren't engaging in activities that shift the balance or not being able to engage in those things because you are feeling so exhausted.

The Impact of Burnout

Burnout has repercussions that not only impact you but also others around you such as family

Increased Turnover Rates at work: Employees suffering from burnout are more inclined to leave their jobs or go off sick.
Decreased Productivity: Burnout can impair focus and creativity, reducing overall workplace performance.
Poor Morale: A team filled with burnt-out employees can create a negative work atmosphere, affecting teamwork and collaboration.
It just leaves you thinking and feeling that you are too exhausted to continue the way you are but change can also feel overwhelming and exhausting.

Does your work leave you feeling exhausted?	Yes	No
Have you lost the energy and enthusiasm once had for your job?	Yes	No
Do you ever appear uncaring, disinterested, or insensitive at work?	Yes	No
Have you started caring less about your clients or colleagues?	Yes	No
Do you think that nothing you do at work makes a difference?	Yes	No
Do you frustrated with your job?	Yes	No
Are you neglecting yourself (e.g., not taking time to rest, eat, or exercise)?	Yes	No
Have your family, friends, or colleagues noticed a change in your character?	Yes	No

If you answered ‘yes’ to most of these questions, you may be struggling with burnout. You might find it helpful to speak to your GP or can contact me to see if I may be able to help.

Strategies to Combat Burnout

Implementing effective strategies to combat burnout is essential for both employees and employers. Consider these approaches:

1. Encourage Work-Life Balance

Separate work from personal life. Try to create a life outside of work that aligns with your values.

2. Open Lines of Communication

Being able to discuss the demands of the job with your workplace is crucial...easier said than done right! Being able to engage in assertive communication and having boundaries are key. Being able to say no to things that will push you to capacity, not working past your hours, prioritising tasks and delegating even if you feel you 'should' do it but ask yourself, could someone else do it?

4. Access Mental Health support

Access to mental health support within your workplace, NHS or private therapy if you can is important. Therapy can not only help you have add a validating voice to your experience but help you to find tools to cope. This does not mean you wont have bad days in your job, it will mean that you can cope with things better especially if it isn't possible for you to leave the job that you are in.

Take time out of work

This is a tricky one I know but in order to implement the things above, you have to regulate your emotions and sometimes we need to step away temporarily away from the main factors contributing to how we feel. If it is not possible to take time out, take annual leave but try not to spend those days doing things you usually do such as excessive worry, running around on adrenaline, smoking, drinking and not looking after yourself. Sometimes in order to regulate ourselves, doing less is more but doing the right things such as sleeping, eating right and do things that align with what is important are key.

I have alot of experience working with burnout, so do reach out and I will see if I can help.

Jess xx