Battling Burnout
Battling Burnout
It’s everywhere lately, people are talking, sharing on social media, and writing about burnout. What is burnout and what does it mean to experience it? According to the World Health Organization (WHO), burnout is defined as chronic stress at work, with the following indicators: feelings of energy depletion or exhaustion, mental distancing from a job, feeling negativity or cynicism towards professional duties, and a decrease in work efficacy. Feeling that nothing matters anymore for individuals who once felt very passionate about their work can be just plain depressing. For those on the brink of burnout of something they once loved it can be terrifying leaving them wondering what is next.
So how do we manage or prevent burnout? Balance! It is necessary to have a healthy work/ life balance so that one does not become worn down by the demands of their occupation and the system in which they work. The following are some ways to help you avoid burnout:
Set Boundaries - Create hard stops for yourself concerning your work and life. Maybe not working late does not seem like an option for you, but just a small change such as picking one day per week that you leave work on time can help.
Have Fun- Make a conscious decision to implement fun things into your workday or after work. Take that 5-minute dance party in your office blasting your favorite song, get up and take a walk to your car to create some space, and get some fresh air.
Get an Outside Opinion: If you are to the point that you are reaching burnout, consider scheduling an appointment with a therapist. Being able to meet with someone to access your life holistically will allow you the opportunity to identify changes that need to be made in your life to prevent burnout.
Consider Changing Jobs: It is never an easy decision to stay or leave a current job. Sometimes just going through the motions of applying and interviewing will allow you to see what other options are out there that may better fit your lifestyle.
Burnout does not have to be career-ending. Burnout is a sign that it is time to re-evaluate what you are doing at work and reassess your work/life balance. Remember, if something would happen to you, the first job your human resources department has is to post your job. You are worth more than your job, and it's important to remember that.