Most of us have heard the term ‘burnout’ before. Maybe someone’s warned you that you’ll ‘burn out’ if you continue working as hard as you are, or told you that you ‘don’t want to risk burnout’ when making too many plans.
But what exactly is burn out? And how can you prevent it?
Well, burnout is a relatively new term. It was first noted in 1974 by Herbert Freudenberger, in his book, Burnout: The High Cost of High Achievement, burnout was originally defined as ‘the extinction of motivation or incentive, especially where one’s devotion to a cause or relationship fails to produce the desired results’.
Nowadays, it means to be emotionally, physically and mentally exhausted, as a reaction to prolonged or chronic job stress.
While the job stress is the main contender for burnout, lifestyle stress can also add to it.
Burnout is unfortunately a common experience – I mean, how could it not be, especially with the stress that 2020 has given us?
However, it’s not actually recognised as a psychological disorder – but that doesn’t mean it should be taken any less seriously.
Everyone’s experience of burnout is different (and valid).
But the general signs include (but aren’t limited to): Lower productivity, lower resistance to illness, detachment from relationships, lower energy levels, feeling incredibly overwhelmed, having a pessimistic outlook on life, headaches and stomachaches, reduced performance at work, feeling drained, mentally exhausted and unable to cope.
In some cases, it can also cause fatigue and depression.
For me personally, burnout made me lose all motivation.
I felt like I’d ‘crashed’, like I’d been super wired and running on little sleep in a high energy environment, only for it all to come crumbling down, and I couldn’t cope with anything.
I went from loving the work I was doing to not being able to focus or enjoy it at all. I didn’t want to get out of bed.
But as you can probably tell from the fact I’m sat here writing this, burnout is reversible – and preventable.
According to VerywellMind, a person who is experiencing burnout might need to make some changes to their work environment – so it’s always important to talk to your boss about what’s going on.
Be completely honest and straight with them, and remember that this is for the sake of your mental health, no matter how hard opening up to them might be.
You deserve a positive work environment and experience – and a good employer will want to make sure your workload isn’t affecting your mental health.
If, like me, you’re self-employed and/or working from home, it’s important that you don’t put too much pressure on yourself. When you don’t have set work hours, that can be difficult – so try to set yourself some, and stick to them.
Make sure you’re taking breaks, eating and drinking enough and not working through them, check in with your family and friends throughout the day and try to get out of the house for a short walk. It’s also a good idea to try to work on your sleeping habits, as a good amount of sleep is vital for good mental health (even though it can be bloody difficult).
If you’re not happy where you are, or with what you’re doing, it may be time to make a decision about leaving.
Obviously times are tough right now, and for many it isn’t an option – and so if that’s the case, try to seek help outside of work, like through online counselling services, mental health helplines (such as Samaritans, on 116 123) and by talking to people you trust about how you can get through until you’re able to make a career change. You never know who’ll be able to help if you don’t reach out.
If you’re currently experiencing burnout, it’s so important that you take the time off of work that you need. Mental health is just as important and as valid as physical health, and you are entitled to looking after it.
It’s also a good idea to speak to your GP – not just to get a sick note, but to talk. Tell them how you’re feeling and what you’re experiencing, and be honest with them. They are trained professionals and they will understand.
Remember, that you are absolutely not alone and that no matter what you’re going through, there is help and support out there – online, over the phone and in person.
