Workplace burnout is a common syndrome among working professionals today. It is not a medical diagnosis, but can significantly affect your physical and mental health. There are various well-known causes and symptoms of job burnout and many more that are not as common.
According to the American Psychological Association, there was an increased rate of workplace burnout in 2021, with about 79 percent of employees experiencing it a month before the research. In this article, you will learn about workplace burnout, its symptoms, and how to handle it.
What Is Workplace Burnout?
Workplace burnout is a type of job-related stress that could look like mental, physical, or emotional exhaustion. It is common among working professionals who suffer from lack of adequate sleep, work overload, lack of social life, work-life imbalance, and unfair treatment at the workplace. People suffering from these conditions are likely to experience workplace burnout and should beware of the symptoms.
Symptoms of Burnout
Burnout symptoms are common, and our list is not exhaustive. If you are experiencing severe signs of burnout, it might be a good idea to visit your doctor for strategies on how to improve your mental health. Symptoms of burnout include:
- Irritability or crankiness
- Constant fatigue or tiredness
- Lack of sleep
- Lack of work or life satisfaction
- Impatience
- Lack of motivation
- Stomach aches or headaches
- Cynicism and hopelessness
- Isolation
How To Deal With Workplace Burnout
Workplace burnout can greatly impact your physical and mental health and affect your daily life. These tips below can help you deal with workplace burnout and get you back on a healthier path.
Take Some Time Off
When you notice workplace burnout, it is recommended that you take some time off work. You can talk to your boss and ask for a couple of days or weeks off. During this time, you can go on a vacation, spend time with your loved ones, or just enjoy some alone time doing what you love.
This will help you relax and get your mind off work. You should also ensure that you avoid anything work-related in this period.
You could also see if it would be possible for you to reduce your work hours if taking time off completely is not an option. If you work in a role that can be accomplished remotely, like data scientist or web designer, working from home for a few weeks might help.
Exercise
Spending a couple of hours a week exercising can do wonders for your health, both physical and mental. You can also engage in relaxing activities like yoga, tai chi, short walks, or meditation.
If you find that your burnout is coming from boredom, you might want to challenge yourself by learning new skills or creating new career goals. This might look like joining an online coding bootcamp like Coding Dojo or Thinkful, signing up for online courses, or taking classes at a local community college.
Set Boundaries
Setting boundaries at work will help you reduce undue work pressure. You must ensure you’re not always available for work and pass this message to colleagues. You should set your working hours and free time to ensure your brain has a chance to rest. You can avoid business-related contact with coworkers and focus on yourself while you aren’t at work.
Prioritize Your Health
It is easy to ignore your mental and physical health when you are consumed with work and have little time for anything else. You can easily forget to visit the doctor or pay attention to your health when your mind is too occupied. This can lead to work burnout. Make sure you keep up with regular appointments with your doctor to ensure that you’re in good health, exercise often, eat healthily, and sleep well.
Get Emotional Support
If you feel overwhelmed by work, you should talk to someone you trust for emotional support. It could be your friends or family, or you could get help from a mental health professional. This can help you manage your emotions and can help you feel less alone.
Conclusion
Being a hard worker is an admirable trait, but without balance it can have a negative affect on your health. Your physical and mental health should always be prioritized, and work shouldn’t get in the way. If anything, overworking can affect your overall productivity and success rate. If you experience any of the symptoms mentioned above, you should put the tips into practice.
