Burnout is a silent but powerful force that often creeps in unnoticed. It might start with small signs like a drop in productivity, feeling constantly overwhelmed or a sense of detachment from your work. In our fast-paced, high-demand world, it’s a problem many of us face. Of course, burnout doesn’t just affect you; it can seep into your environment, making everything seem more exhausting and harder to handle.
The good news? Recognizing these early signs is the first step toward regaining control. By understanding what causes burnout and addressing it proactively, you can restore your sense of balance and well-being. To get you started, here are a few practical steps to help you combat burnout, reclaim your energy and start thriving again.
Symptoms of Workplace Burnout
Burnout feels worse than a simple inability to get excited about the workday. The common symptoms of burnout include:
- Exhaustion or fatigue
- Feelings of depression or anxiety, particularly when thinking about work
- Trouble achieving even minimal goals at work
- Difficulty sleeping or enjoying time outside of work
Prolonged burnout can lead to several potential problems for your career and your overall health. Burnout usually triggers a decrease in productivity, which may cause you to miss out on raises and promotions. A sense of helplessness at work also increases feelings of fatigue or sickness, which can make it harder for you to recover from minor illnesses.
Causes of Employee Burnout
If you think you might be suffering from employee burnout, you may need to address one or more of the common causes. Burnout often comes from various sources, including:
- Work overload
- Unreasonable expectations
- Lack of recognition
- Inability to control various work factors
- Imbalance between work and life responsibilities
- Negative workplace culture
Even if you think you are holding these difficulties in balance, a slight shift in expectations or responsibilities can tip the scales. A bad cold or a coworker quitting can suddenly bring burnout symptoms into high relief, calling for a solution.
How to Address Burnout in the Workplace
Whether you feel the effects of burnout or not, you should keep an eye out for its presence in your workplace. Burnout usually will not go away without a mitigation strategy, and it can often get worse. These tips can help you prevent burnout or manage its effects on your life.
Reset expectations
If the burnout comes from an excessive workload or unreasonable expectations set from above, you should do what you can to reset those expectations. In many cases, bosses do not realize that they are setting unachievable goals until they receive feedback. Provide detailed information about your struggles to meet benchmarks and talk to your boss about accommodations that can help you improve. Support from another employee or an adjustment in work responsibilities can help.
Increase support
Knowing that you are going through a tough time can help you understand when to reach out for support. Ask for additional encouragement from relevant parties, including your boss and coworkers. Talk to your family and friends about your troubles and get their help in managing expectations outside of work. If necessary, consider requesting therapy services to give you a professional who can help you work through your concerns.
Improve work-life balance
A lack of work-life balance can make burnout so much worse, so you should try to correct it. If you feel like you end the workday only to start another shift at home, you might ask your family members to reduce your overall burdens. Get takeout for a while or hire a housekeeper to clean the house once a week. Considering remote work or flex time can also cut down on your commitments, so you have more time to relax.
Contribute to a positive workplace culture
Even if you are stuck in the midst of burnout, you can help to prevent others from suffering the same fate. Do what you can to contribute to a positive workplace culture. Encourage others and recognize them for their achievements. Set reasonable expectations for yourself and other employees. Modeling a positive attitude can often manifest it into real life.
Burnout does not have to ruin your career or your workplace culture. By considering these factors and taking action, you can help to minimize the risk of burnout for you and your company.
Author bio: Carolyn Ball, LCPC, is the founder of Elevate Counseling + Wellness. Her goal is to help people elevate their lives and reach their maximum potential. She has an understanding of the significance of mental health in a person’s overall well-being, and is passionate about assisting others in living their best version of themselves.
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