The Impact of Workplace Burnout
Workplace burnout is often mistaken for feeling “a little stressed out”. If you are feeling exhausted, struggling to focus and remain on task, and have an urge to withdraw or be extra cynical, you could be burnt out.
What is job burnout?
There are many definitions which define burnout, but many people struggle to understand how it feels. I came across this quote which provides such a relatable example and reflects so often the subtleness of motivation or incentive becoming withered:
"When I try to describe my experience to someone else, I use the analogy of a teapot. Just like a teapot, I was on the fire, with water boiling - working hard to handle problems and do good. But after several years, the water had boiled away, and yet I was still on the fire - a burned-out teapot in danger of cracking." (Burnout: The cost of caring, 1982).
Sources of burnout can include being overloaded with responsibilities, working overtime, having an intensive role, or being overlooked or not acknowledged. The home environment can similarly impact stress in the workplace.
Burnout vs Depression
Many of the symptoms seen in burnout can overlap with depression. The culmination of fatigue, feeling blue, low motivation and hopelessness can possibly indicate an underlying condition. If you are experiencing severe, persistent symptoms, it is recommended to contact your GP or a mental health professional.
How to spot the signs?
Feeling that your energy is depleted or persistently exhausted: This might look like you are often fatigued even when not physically exerting yourself, never feeling rested despite getting enough sleep, body pains, sugar cravings, restlessness, feeling sick.
Losing motivation or pleasure in your work: Individuals who experience burnout will struggle to get small tasks done in their work, despite previously being a consistent performer. It can also look like you are putting in a lot of effort into tasks or relationships but not getting anything out of it.
Loss of empathy towards recipients or feeling cynical about your job: You might notice that you notice faults in the workplace, constantly complain about the work or your colleagues, or find it hard to care about others. People in caring jobs are especially at risk of this.
How to manage burnout?
Firstly, think about the external stressors which are contributing to your situation. If you are able to identify key factors such as workload, consider speaking with your manager or colleagues about strategies to delegate or extend deadlines.
Having some effective tools to de-stress is also important, especially when trying to curb the external stress. Mindfulness, deep breathing, lifestyle changes and exercise are some examples. Incorporating a form of relaxation helps to activate your parasympathetic nervous system and sends messages to your brain to relax. As a result, you are better able to manage stressful moments.
Finally, consulting with a psychologist can help you apply relaxation strategies or address underlying mechanisms such as perfectionism. A psychologist can help you challenge unhelpful thinking patterns and regulate emotions.
Written By: Taylah Johnston - Clinical Psychology Registar