A BBC News article has shown The World Health Organisation has officially recognised burnout as a syndrome resulting from stress in the workplace.
More and more employees are experiencing burnout and it is becoming more common across the board. A growing number of companies have been implementing strategies to decrease the number of burnout among employees, such as one company has established a tech embargo between 7am -7pm where staff are not allowed to check emails. More companies need to be setting strategies in place to support those going through burnout.
What is the difference between burnout and being tired?
Being burnt out is a mental and physical exhaustion which is caused because of being in emotionally demanding situations for a long period of time.
Everyone goes through busy periods in their life which tend to last 3 months at the longest but when that becomes continual you are in crisis mode constantly. Stress and anxiety is really important and we need it. But our bodies are not built to deal with stress constantly, from the minute we wake up to the minute we go to sleep.
We need to use the pockets of downtime to switch and relax. Mentally lots of people do not turn off and their mind is still ticking away and find it hard to let go. The constant thinking has physical effects on your body.
What needs to be done: Steps to help burnout
1.) Acknowledge that you are burnt out
2.) Seek help
3.) Do a life audit! Lifestyle changes need to be made. Think about what is important
4.) Let go of the things that are not important in your life
Symptoms of burnout:
- Continual exhaustion, which has continued for weeks and weeks and weeks
- Insomnia
- Increased in illness
- Loss of appetite
- Anxiety
- Depression