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What is Burnout ?

Burnout has traditionally been associated with the perception of being overworked , but the latest research suggests otherwise . According to the latest State of the Heart Report by 6Seconds , global wellbeing has deteriorated to the extent that seven out of 10 people now report feeling burnt out , and the researchers have coined the phrase that “ the world is facing a global energy crisis .”

There are three defining symptoms of burnout , as defined by the World Health Organisation :

• Physical and emotional exhaustion

• Depersonalisation , detachment or cynicism

• Decline in sense of personal accomplishment

Some of the contributing factors for this are :

• Perceived lack of control or autonomy ( over life , career )

• Insufficient reward or recognition ( in the workplace )

• Perceived lack of social support or community ( in the workplace )

• Emotional disconnect / neglect ( in relationships )

• Perceived lack of meaning / purpose

These factors can combine to leave a person feeling utterly depleted , unmotivated and detached from

one ’ s work , and it can spill over into their personal life , where people find very little joy in life in general . So , the question remains , is burnout caused by overwork ? Research says no , it ’ s actually connected with our emotional needs .

Most Common Signs

The most common signs of burnout are :

• Exhaustion ( physical and mental )

• Physical illness ( colds / flu , backache , headaches / migraines , shingles , gut issues , etc )

• Mistakes ( due to loss of ability to concentrate / focus )

• Decreased productivity

• Lack of sleep ( disrupted or poor quality )

• Frustration ( irritability , angry outbursts )

• Lack of enthusiasm ( for the week ahead , getting out of bed , going through daily activities , etc )

• Falling behind in work ( cannot keep up with workload due to above factors )

• Coping mechanisms ( e . g . alcohol , pain medication , sleeping tablets , substance abuse , etc )

The impact of burnout is :

• Long-term stress and health problems

• Physical exhaustion

• Sleep deprivation

• Loss of self-worth and meaningful achievements

• Long-term burnout ( can take up to two years to recover from an episode of severe burnout )

• Depression and anxiety

• Suicide

Treating the Problem

Burnout comes from basic human needs being unmet over time , and is the responsibility of both the individual and the organisation they work for , to find a balance and put measures in place to prevent getting to the point of burnout .

1 . Check in with yourself on what your level of wellbeing is , to recognise when you are depleted , and take the necessary action ( exercise , diet , lifestyle , rest , etc ).

2 . Organisations need to ensure employee wellbeing is at the centre of their employee engagement strategies if they want their employees to be healthy and productive , as this has a direct impact on the bottom line .

3 . Find ways to empower yourself and educate yourself on health and wellbeing , while organisations should provide the

necessary support structures for employees to tap into , e . g . employee assistance programmes , flexibility , inclusiveness , support from line managers , etc ).

4 . Find gratitude – it ’ s the small things that often have the biggest impact , so find small things every day to be grateful for at home and at work , e . g . show appreciation for your loved ones or a colleague .

5 . Create space for social connection – make time to connect with loved ones or people and environments that add to your energy vs . pulling you down , e . g . family , partner , mentor , social groups , etc .

6 . Cultivate a shared sense of ‘ why ’ – create a vision for yourself and your life ( personal and career ) that you can share with those closest to you ( family , partner , team ), as this creates a sense of purpose and belonging .

7 . Make time for downtime by switching off from devices for periods of time and get out into nature , because it ’ s the best medicine for the soul , e . g . sit in the garden , go for a walk / hike , watch the sunrise / sunset , join a running group .

8 . If you are struggling , seek the help of a professional that can support you to overcome your situation . It ’ s the right thing to do for yourself and your loved ones .

Burnout can be prevented , but it takes lots of selfawareness to recognise when it is creeping up on you , and the discipline to follow through and do something about it , for your own benefit .

Paula Quinsee is the founder of Engaged Humans , facilitating connection between men , women and couples . She is a certified Imago Relationship Therapy Educator and Facilitator , NLP Practitioner , PDA Analyst , coach and trainer . She has authored two self-help guides : Embracing Conflict and Embracing No , as is an international speaker , advocate for mental health and activist for genderbased violence . More info at www . engagedhumans . com .

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