Job burnout: Symptoms – Risk – Consequences – How to take action

Job burnout: Symptoms – Risk – Consequences – How to take action

Do you feel completely drained at work? Here’s what you can do if your work is affecting your health.

Job burnout

Is a special type of work-related stress — a state of physical or psychological stress that also includes feelings of decreased productivity and a loss of personal identity.

“Burning” is not a medical diagnosis. Some experts believe that other conditions, such as depression, are to blame for burnout. Some research indicates that many people who experience symptoms of job burnout do not believe their job is the main cause. Whatever the cause, job burnout can affect your mental and physical health.

Think about how to find out if you have burnout and what you can do about it.

Read also: For new graduates: work hard but beware of job burnout

Symptoms of job burnout :

Ask yourself the following:

• Have you become cynical or critical at work?
• Do you compel yourself to go to work and have trouble starting it?
• Have you become irritable or impatient with your colleagues, clients, or customers?
• Do you lack the energy to remain productive?
• Are you having difficulty concentrating?
• Do you lack a sense of satisfaction with your accomplishments?
• Are you disappointed with your job?
• Do you take food, drugs, or alcohol to make you feel better, or simply to lose the feeling?
• Have your sleeping habits changed?
• Do you have an unexplained headache, upset stomach or intestines, or any other physical complaints?

If you answered yes to any of these questions, this may be an indication of burnout. Talk to your doctor or mental health provider, as these symptoms may also be related to other health problems such as depression.

What are the causes of job burnout?

Job burnout can be caused by several factors, including:

• Poor control : The inability to influence decisions that affect your work, such as your schedule, appointments, or work pressure can lead to job burnout. The same situation occurs because of the lack of resources you need to do your work.
• Unclear job expectations : If it’s not clear to you how much authority you have or what your supervisor or others expect of you, you may not feel comfortable at work.
• The dynamics of a turbulent work environment : Perhaps you feel bullied in the workplace, feel disrespected by colleagues, or your boss keeps a close eye on your work. This can contribute to functional psychological stress.
• Intensity of activity : When work is monotonous or chaotic, you will need constant energy to stay focused; This can lead to fatigue and job burnout.
• Lack of social support : If you feel isolated at work and in your personal life, you may feel more stressed.
• Imbalance between work and personal life : If your work is taking up more of your time and effort than you have the energy to spend time with your family and friends, you may feel exhausted quickly.

Risk factors for job burnout :

You may be at greater risk of job burnout if:

• If you insist on doing a job to a degree that causes a lack of balance between your work life and your professional life
• If you are under a heavy job load such as working overtime
• If you try to be everything to everyone
• If you work in a service job such as health care
• If you feel that you have little or no control over your work
• If your work is monotonous

Consequences of job burnout :

Ignoring or not treating burnout can have serious consequences, including:

• Hypertension
• fatigue
• Insomnia
• Sadness, anger, or irritability
• Addiction to alcohol or other drugs
• heart disease
• Hypertension
• Type 2 diabetes
• Ease of infection

Dealing with job burnout :

Try to do something. To start:

• Evaluate your options. Discuss specific concerns with your supervisor. Perhaps you can work together to change expectations or reach compromises or compromises. Try to set goals for what needs to be done and what can wait.
• ask for help. Whether you connect with co-workers, friends, or loved ones, support and collaboration can help you get along. If you can handle the employee assistance program, take advantage of its related services.
• Try something that helps you relax. Learn about programs that can help manage stress, such as yoga, meditation or tai chi.
• Get some exercise. Getting regular physical activity can help you handle stress better. It can also help take your mind off work.
• Get some sleep. Sleep restores the body’s health and helps maintain your health.
• Mental focus. Mindfulness is to focus on the flow of your breath and become deeply aware of what you are feeling and feeling at each moment without interpretation or judgment. This practice in the work environment includes facing situations with openness, patience, and without judgment.

Keep your mind open as you consider options. Try not to make room for your health to be weakened by the many demands or the futility of the job.

Job burnout: Symptoms – Risk – Consequences – How to take action