Burnout is an overwork syndrome that affects all workers. Burnout is a state of intense fatigue and the inability to achieve concrete results at work. It sometimes leads to work stoppage.
What Are the Symptoms of Burnout?
The signs and symptoms a person suffering from burnout may experience include:
- Fatigue
- Decreased efficiency
- Constant demotivation in relation to work
- Marked irritability, spontaneous anger, frequent crying
- Cynical attitude and feelings of frustration
- Feeling of incompetence
- Feelings of isolation
- Sense of failure
- Decreased self-confidence
- Anxiety, worry, and insecurity
- Headaches
How Is Burnout Different From Depression?
Burnout is the result of chronic, unmanaged stress at work. This stress is often linked to overwork.
Depression is a mental health problem that belongs to mood disorders, whether work-related or not.
Depression also affects people who are not working, and is characterized by a feeling of hopelessness and sustained disinterest that significantly impedes the normal functioning of personal life and the accomplishment of daily tasks.
How Can Burnout Be Cured?
Treatment methods for burnout remain imperfect. In general, the healing process will require time and the support of health professionals. Temporary leave from work is often necessary.
Strategies that can be implemented to heal burnout include:
- Therapy
- Environment change
- Job or position change
- Adjustments of lifestyle habits
- Meditation
What Are Some Examples of Prevention Strategies?
To prevent burnout, the following strategies can be implemented:
- Clarify expectations within the work team
- Assess the workload of employees
- Set reasonable and realistic expectations
- Encourage physical activity and healthy lifestyle habits
- Encourage employees to take breaks
- Establish reasonable work schedules
