This matters. It matters for you if you the person reading this, and it matters to others who might be in your sphere of responsibility as a parent, teacher or line manager. Burnout is a serious condition caused by extreme long-term stress in either a person’s individual or professional life.
In May 2019 the World Health Organization described “Burn-out is a syndrome conceptualized as resulting from chronic workplace stress that has not been successfully managed. It is characterized by three dimensions:
- feelings of energy depletion or exhaustion;
- increased mental distance from one’s job, or feelings of negativism or cynicism related to one’s job; and
- reduced professional efficacy.
Burn-out refers specifically to phenomena in the occupational context and should not be applied to describe experiences in other areas of life.”
Once you are stuck in the cycle of burnout, it can be difficult to escape, so it’s better to avoid it altogether. Here are some things you might do now to avoid burnout later.
Have Creative Outlets
Suppose you work in a job where you are told what to do and when. Your burnout might be partly caused by not using your creativity. To help keep this from happening, make sure you maintain some sort of creative outlet. This could be as simple as a DIY house project, experimenting in the kitchen, or even just journaling each day. Just make sure you let yourself be creative in some aspect to stop burnout in its tracks.
Take Care Of You
Sometimes when you are in a high-stress, tough job, it can be difficult to find time for yourself. But this time for yourself is necessary. A job is just a job. If you need a day to take care of yourself, take it. If you need a spa weekend retreat, go for it. Whatever you decide to do, remember your body is not a machine, and you need to take care of yourself before you can work to take care of others.
Find Support
Another way to help prevent burnout is by having a good support system in place. If you don’t feel you currently have one, go out and find one! This may be easier than you think, especially if you are looking for a creative outlet mentioned above. Look for clubs or organizations which participate in activities you desire and join one. Spending time with like-minded individuals will do wonders for your mental well-being, especially if you are doing a hobby you love at the same time!
Identify What You Need From Work
If your burnout results from something you are not getting from your work to feel fulfilled, it’s time to figure out just what you need to stop the burnout. Once you realize this, bring it up to your boss or supervisor. They may have ideas to help make your job more meaningful for you. And even if they can’t, you now know what you need to look for in another job.
Burnout is a serious condition that can cause long-lasting mental and physical damage to your body. This is why you should do everything in your power to avoid burnout by staying creative, taking care of yourself, finding support, and, most importantly, identifying what you do need to keep burnout from happening.
Contact Me Now
Contact me now, by direct messaging or follow the link in the comments, if you would like my free report on Burnout and / or if you feel you might be stressed and would like to take my Stress & Well-Being Assessment.