Burnout is nature’s way of telling you, you’ve been going through the motions your soul has departed; you’re a zombie, a member of the walking dead, a sleepwalker. False optimism is like administrating stimulants to an exhausted nervous system.
Sam Keen
Are you feeling extremely tired and feel like you have no energy left to do anything else apart from work? Are suffering from stress induced headaches or digestion issues? Have you started distancing yourself from how you feel about work? Do you feel like you no longer have the enthusiasm or concentration about you work?
Well, Then probably you are feeling ‘Burned-out’!
What is Burnout?
The word ‘Burnout’ was first used in psychology literature by renowned psychologist Herbert Freudenberger. He described burnout by a set of symptoms that includes exhaustion resulting from work’s excessive demands as well as physical symptoms such as headaches and sleeplessness, “quickness to anger,” and closed thinking.
What is occupational Burnout?
Superficially though burnout might feel like it mighty be caused by working long hours and trying to meet unachievable deadlines , it is more about the person not having control on their work and how to carry it. Another main reason would be when an individual’s sense of his calling does not resonate with the goals assigned to him at work.
According to ICD-11; a medical classification list by the World Health Organization (WHO):
“Burn-out is a syndrome conceptualized as resulting from chronic workplace stress that has not been successfully managed. It is characterized by three dimensions:
1. Feelings of energy depletion or exhaustion;
2. Increased mental distance from one’s job, or feelings of negativism or cynicism related to one’s job and
3. Reduced professional efficacy.
Signs of Burnout
It is important to identify signs of Burnout early on so you can nip it in the bud. Below are the few signs that will help you identify if you are feeling Burned-out.
- Chronic Fatigue : Feeling tired both emotionally and physically all day everyday, fretting what lies ahead on daily basis are your initial signals of impending burnout.
- Physical Illness and insomnia : This constant stress will poach your physical well being as well. It will start will headaches and then lead to chronic gastrointestinal issues. Though you are extremely exhausted you will have trouble getting complete nights sleep.
- Concentration and Anxiety : Having trouble focusing and concentrating on tasks at work, which later reaches to a point where an individual cannot get any work done. The constant worry and anxiety at workplace starts seeping into personal life as well.
- Pessimism : This will start with being negative about oneself but will later transform into lack of trust with co workers and even family members.
- Absenteeism : Taking Leaves frequently as you no longer want to take any kind of responsibility at work.
- Hopelessness and Poor Performance : Reaching a point where you no longer feel like what you do matters and you start questioning even if there is a need to be doing the work that you are doing. Where this attitude change ultimately results in poor performance.
Tips to Win against Burnout
We present you with simple yet effective ways to fight Burnout yourself;
- Exercise and Walking : You can choose to exercise at a gym or at the comfort of your home. It will help you in maintaining your health and most importantly it will keep your hormones balanced. Walking is something you can do with least investment. All you need to do is to pull yourself up and go for a brisk walk. While you are at it just remember to enjoy the nature and try concentrating on your steps.
- Yoga and breathing exercise : There are various schools of yoga and forms of breathing exercises. Choose anyone that your are comfortable with and practice them daily so it becomes a habit.
- Quality Sleep : Yes, it feels like the sky is falling down and crushing you but just remember you have to cover that feeling like a blanket and get the sleep your body is demanding. Without proper sleep you will only make things worse. So reserve worrying to the mornings alone and sleep to the nights.
- Self-Love : Have great compassion for yourself. Do something that makes you happy; it can be a hobby, getting a facial or even just reading a book sipping on the tea you like. Getting massages does help. If you want it to be more therapeutic you can give yourself a massage.