The Hidden Agenda Of Job Burnout

Do you feel drained at work? Most of us can handle stress from time to time, but what happens when you constantly feel stressed at work? People who struggle to cope with work stress may be at risk of burnout and an inability to handle daily responsibilities. What is job/work burnout? What are its signs and symptoms? What potential consequences of long-term stress on your physical and mental health?

Work burnout is a particular type of work-related stress, a state of physical or psychological stress that includes a sense of decreased productivity and loss of personal identity due to long-term work pressures that have not been recognized and addressed. This burnout involves mental, emotional, or physical exhaustion, often accompanied by pessimism and hopelessness.

Work burnout is a reaction to prolonged or chronic work stress. It is characterized by three main dimensions: exhaustion, pessimism, low professional ability, which may lead a person to hate his job, and weak productive capacity at work. Can increase this pressure; General lifestyle and thinking patterns such as perfectionism or pessimism.

Burnout, in and of itself, is not a medical diagnosis. However, some experts believe that psychological conditions, such as depression, are responsible for burnout. This gradual process begins with chronic stress and develops and worsens over time unless health measures are taken to mitigate it.

Symptoms of work burnout

If you’re concerned that you might be experiencing work-related burnout but aren’t sure what its symptoms are, here are some of the more common symptoms:

– Physical and emotional exhaustion and feeling tired most of the time.
– Loss of interest in usual activities.
– Isolation and avoiding interaction with co-workers or people in your daily life.
– Speed of anger, irritability, criticism, and exaggeration in reactions.
– Changing sleep habits as a result of suffering from insomnia or sleeping for long hours.
– Changing eating habits; Loss of appetite or overeating.
– Too much forgetfulness and inability to focus.
– Decreased job performance as a result of difficulty concentrating and lack of creativity.
– Depression and looking at the various aspects of working life and others negatively.

5 Reasons Responsible for Job Burnout

According to a 2018 report by Gallup Analytics and Management Consulting (Gallup -company), burnout has five leading causes:

1- Unreasonable time pressure: Employees with enough time to do their work are 70% less likely to experience burnout.

2- Lack of communication and support from the manager: The manager’s support is a psychological barrier against burnout. Employees who feel strong support from their manager are 70% less likely to burn out.

3- Unclear role and lack of purpose: When expectations or goals are unknown, employees may become exhausted just trying to figure out what they should do.

4- Workload: When the workload feels unmanageable, even the most optimistic employees can feel hopeless.

5- Unfair treatment: Employees who feel they have been mistreated, Like nepotism, unfair compensation, or abuse at work, people are 2.3 times more likely to experience a high level of burnout.

Are there ways to prevent job burnout?

These steps may help relieve stress, including:

Playing sports

Exercise is good for our physical health and can also give us a mental and emotional boost. It is not necessary to spend hours in the gym. Short workouts and daily walks, if possible, can help relieve stress.

Follow a balanced diet.

A healthy diet rich in omega-3 fatty acids can be a natural antidepressant. Adding foods rich in omega-3s, such as flaxseed oil, walnuts, and fish may help boost mood.

Regulate sleep habits

The body needs time to rest to replenish energy, which is why healthy sleep habits are essential to keep us productive. And according to the National Sleep Foundation, avoiding caffeine before bed, having a relaxing bedtime ritual, and cutting down on electronic devices can help promote healthy sleep.

Get help

During stressful times, it is essential to seek help by reaching out to close friends or telling your supervisor about work-related problems to make changes and create a healthy work environment.

job change

Sometimes, it may be necessary to change the job entirely to end burnout.

Being under constant stress can lead to burnout, but it can be avoided by making self-care a part of your daily routine. Even if you work long hours, making time for yourself is essential.