How many of you have ever felt burned out by your job? Maybe your work-life balance is getting trounced by work, or perhaps you’re having issues with a coworker and only feel dread every time you step into the shop. Or maybe you’re wondering what the heck burnout even is?
According to the Mayo Clinic, burnout, specifically job-related burnout, is a type of stress linked to work. This can be caused by a number of factors, such as
- Feeling either constantly overworked or under-challenged
- Being under time pressure all the time
- Having conflicts with colleagues
- Extreme commitment that results in you neglecting your own needs
Any of this sound like you? If you’re all shaking your heads, I’m afraid I’ll need to call you on that bluff. I’ve spoken with too many of you over the years who’ve self-identified as workaholics and told me of the well over 40 hours you’re putting in each week. Now, that’s not to say I’m diagnosing all of you with burnout. Different people handle stress in different ways, and that’s okay. Overall, I just want you to be aware of what burnout is, so you can take the proper steps to manage it if you ever feel this way.
If you nodded along with any of the factors listed above, ask yourself these questions.
- Are you feeling physically and/or emotionally exhausted?
- Are you feeling less interested or more frustrated with your job?
- Are you feeling listless, like it’s hard to concentrate, and are drained of creativity?
These are all symptoms of burnout, and while it would be nice to simply choose not to feel this way, that’s not how mental health works. If you break your leg, you can’t will it better. There are guidelines you have to follow to ensure it heals properly. The same is true for burnout. To fight back against burnout, you can try:
- Seeking support — Try reaching out to coworkers, friends, or loved ones for support. It can often feel like you're alone when it comes to burnout, but talking with others about how you’re feeling can help you feel less alone.
- A relaxing activity or exercise — Reduce your stress level by practicing meditation, doing yoga, or going for a walk. Whatever you choose to do, it should be something that you enjoy and that helps clear your mind.
- Looking at your options — Maybe it’s time to have a talk with your manager about your workload or hours, or perhaps you need to look into taking some time off. Things won’t change unless you work to change them.
Try to keep an open mind while thinking about these options, and don’t be afraid to ask for help.
