Telltale Signs Of Burnout And What You Can Do About Them
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You could be facing burnout at work without even realizing it.
Before diving into the symptoms, here is the updated definition of being “burnout.” Previously dubbed a “state of vital exhaustion,” the World Health Organization has since confirmed it as an official medical condition and a “syndrome conceptualized [from the result of] chronic workplace stress that has not been successfully managed” in 2019.
Alice Domar, director of Domar Center for Mind and Body Health, summed up that burnout is more than a bad day or a rough week, because it goes on for a long time with zero good days.
The Muse has come up with telltale signs behind this phenomenon and potential solutions for it. Here are some of them.
Lack of excitement about work
The spark has diminished, and you no longer feel a shred of enthusiasm or thrill when undertaking new projects. Domar described that people facing work burnout tend not to “get the same level of satisfaction” as before, which could be a key sign of burnout or even depression. If you think you might be depressed, it’s important to consult a medical professional for help.
Less effort goes into your work
Domar narrowed it down to simply “not caring anymore.” This is when you start completing the task presented to you with the bare minimum without going out of your way to improving it.
Declining performance at work
It’s a downward spiral once you lose the thrill and put in less effort because your overall performance gets affected. The lack of excitement to take on new work and put in effort could ultimately show up in your performance.
Suffering physical ailments
Though it might not occur for all, some people experience physical ailments as a result of burnout. Some of these include insomnia, chest pain, heart palpitations, shortness of breath, and fainting. These symptoms could mean other health problems, but sometimes, it could be accompanied by the emotional turmoil and burnt-out state you’re in.
Solution 1: Attitude shift
Now, it’s time to look at what you can do about it. A study finds that burnout is often tied with perfectionism. Hence, it’s important to look inwards and rethink self-created pressures you’ve formed for yourself and find ways to destress during the day.
You can also look out for unhealthy habits and thought patterns that draws you into a negative space. An example of such thought could be, “I have to do my work 100-percent perfectly, or else I’ll end up as a failure.”
Solution 2: Workload adjustment
Next, you can start looking into your workload. Sometimes, burnout occurs when you have too much work that you simply can't successfully complete. This is the time when you stop saying “yes” to everything you’re asked to do and speak to your boss about feeling overworked, as well as looking into coping with a reasonable workload in the future.
To find out more ways to tackle burnout, head on over here.
* Burnout thread *
— Dr Marina Soltan (@marinasoltan_) January 19, 2020
Burn-out is a syndrome conceptualized as resulting from chronic workplace stress that has not been successfully managed.
3 dimensions:
- feeling exhausted
- feelings of negativism or cynicism related to one's job
- reduced professional efficacy.
WHO says burnout is a workplace phenomenon now. https://t.co/6Pr3k4T0HZ
— Dan Pontefract (@dpontefract) February 19, 2020
[via The Muse, cover image via Shutterstock]
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