BURNOUT
“You will burn and you will burn out; you will be healed and come back again.”
Fyodor Dostoevsky
Burnout is a state of physical, emotional, and mental exhaustion that results from prolonged stress and overwork. It can affect anyone, but it is particularly common among professionals who work long hours, have heavy workloads, and experience high levels of job demand and pressure. Burnout can cause feelings of detachment, cynicism, and a lack of motivation, and it can impact one's performance, relationships, and overall quality of life.
WHAT TO LOOK OUT FOR
Feeling exhausted
Difficulty sleeping
Loss of interest in hobbies
Cynical thinking
Becoming irritable
Difficulty focusing
Feeling overwhelmed by tasks
Difficulty making decisions
Neglect self-care
Headaches
Unmotivated or apathetic
Losing interest in hobbies
Feeling stuck or trapped
Using substances to cope
Withdrawing from social interaction
Loss of meaning or purpose
Detached from emotions
Sense of numbness
CAUSES
Burnout is caused by prolonged exposure to chronic workplace stress, such as excessive workload, lack of control, and unclear expectations. Individual factors like perfectionism and neglecting self-care, as well as environmental factors like a toxic workplace culture, can also contribute. Managing stress and taking proactive steps to prevent burnout is important.
If you're experiencing burnout, there are several things you can do to help manage it. Some effective strategies include taking time off work, setting boundaries, practicing self-care, seeking support from friends or colleagues, and reassessing your priorities and workload. It's important to recognize the signs of burnout early and take action to address it to prevent further negative consequences.