Most people are under the mistaken impression that workplace burnout is a natural part of the work/life relationship. They feel it’s normal to be stressed out and overextended on a regular basis. In fact, a nationwide survey looking at American society’s behaviors and attitudes noted that half of the respondents were always tired because of being overworked.
20 years ago, it was just 18 percent; now, after a pandemic, 54% of workers and business owners are reaching burnout.
It would appear that most people see the attainment of harmony in the work/life relationship as nearly impossible. Nearly, but not totally, impossible.
In the past, the word “burnout” only applied to people in certain fields – police officers, firefighters, social workers, paramedics, and healthcare workers. Today, the term has been expanded and now encompasses most occupations especially those that are hyperactive, connected, and overcompensate for whatever reason.
Occasional burnouts are normal – everybody feels burned out by their job. A writer may feel burned out with writing articles after they’ve been doing it for hours upon hours with no substantial break.
It’s a major health problem. People have succumbed to the notion that always moving means being productive but it’s a dangerous fallacy. It’s not easy to recognize signs of burnout, which many see as a failure of doing everything. It’s not a failure; it’s a chronic disease.
What Are The Common Burnout Signs To Watch For?
When a person is stressed out, they may become easily angry or violent toward their loved ones and co-workers. They may not have the appetite to eat or care for themselves. They may not have any motivation to do the things they used to do. Constantly being stressed out is hard on the body – not just physically, but emotionally too. What are some burnout signs you need to be mindful of?
- You’re constantly feeling sick or drained of energy, are nauseous, and have little appetite.
- Your boss, business partner, or colleagues don’t appreciate your efforts, or you feel withdrawn from them.
- You’re always calling into work or are on unnecessary Zoom calls. People who are overworked will frequently not pay careful attention to their job. They have a lot of problems seeing eye-to-eye with co-workers and business partners and may even exhibit aggressive tendencies toward them.
Anyone who complains they’re burned out from their job or business is deemed as being weak and unable to hack it. Since America is bad about glorifying stress and anxiety, people tend to stay silent and do the job despite the stress they face. They don’t want to be seen as less than the best.
How You Can Recover from A Work Burnout
If you can take some time away, then do it. However, if it’s just not possible, consider the following:
- Focus On Your Breathing – By focusing on your breathing, you allow the parasympathetic nervous system to relax. This will help to decrease your stress level and better manage your stress.
- Set Boundaries – When it comes to your work and home life, it’s okay to have boundaries. There’s no reason to bring your home with you to work. Sometimes, it’s okay to have two distinct lives that don’t overlap.
- Take Breaks Often – It’s good to take five-minute breaks every 20 to 30 minutes to clear your head, especially if you’re focused on one particular task.
- Ergonomic Setting– Move! Create an ergonomic setting that includes a sit/stand atmosphere with your desk and chair. You can also add plants to the room to create a relaxing ambiance.
Another way to reduce your work stress is to work remotely. Getting out of the office and working somewhere quiet for a time will often spark your creativity. You could also spend time outdoors, enjoying nature.
Or, you could break away from it altogether and just spend some quality time with someone you care about or who cares about you. This is the most effective treatment for burnout.
Your health and well-being are necessary to connect with others in a positive way. You want a social network that you can depend on – people who will be there for you as you will be for them. If you feel burnt out from work, perhaps it’s time to take a step back and free yourself from the shackles. Do something good for yourself, then focus on the work.
Myriam.. thank you so much for your kind and wise words re burnout. I think IT Burnout deserves its own category!
My experience with IT Burnout..was not encouraging as many were not aware of what was happening.
Please share this post with your Social World so others can be in front of this challenge.
Many thanks!
Joanne Victoria
In the quality of a former workaholic suffering from an Imposter Syndrome, I can relate! I had at least three of them during my 9-year IT experience in corporates! Thank you for caring enough to create this informative piece, my friend! I hope someone somewhere in need of some guidance will see it!