Posted 2:36 p.m. Monday, Feb. 27, 2023
KEPRO's Tips for Combatting Burnout: A Guide for the Workplace
Burnout is a very real thing. The World Health Organization includes burnout in its International
Classification of Diseases, describing it as “a syndrome conceptualized as resulting from chronic workplace
stress that has not been successfully managed” (Moss, 2021). The risk of occupational burnout increases
significantly when employees average more than 50 hours of work a week and increases even more when
work exceeds 60 hours. Prolonged stress often comes from struggling to manage work demands or feeling
one’s workload is unsustainable or feeling unsupported. Understanding burnout, the ways to combat it,
and resources available is the first step toward taking action to mitigate the effects of burnout.
What Does Burnout Feel Like?
Chronic stress at work can lead to loss of interest in your job and feeling hopeless, helpless, and resentful.
Ask yourself these questions:
- Have you become cycnical or critical at work?
- Havey you become irritable orimpatient with co-workers, customers or clients?
- Do you find it hard to concentrate?
- Are you exhausted or always fatigued?
- Do you lack the energy to be productive?
- Do you lack satisfaction from your achievements?
- Have your sleep habits changed?
- ARe you turning to unhealthy habits to feel better or avoid feeling?
If you answered yes to any of the above, you may be experiencing burnout. Keep reading to learn about
ways to tackle burnout. It is also important to check with your medical professional to rule out underlying
health issues that could be contributing to these symptoms.
Ways to Combat Burnout -- The good news is that you can get out in front of burnout and turn things around. The following are some tips to help prevent and tackle burnout.
- Increase your sense of purpose at work. When people feel a strong sense of purpose, they are less likely to experience burnout. Are there aspects of your job that you find fulfilling? Can your role be tweaked to focus on these elements more?
- Maintain manageable workload and work hours. Talk to your emloyer about priorities and what can be table for a later date. Overwork is the most cited reason for burnout. Set boundaries around your work hours and stick to them. Avoid reinforcing a culture of "overwork". A person can only be productive for so many hours a day.
- Address barriers to being effective at work as they come up. Experiencing a lack of control can lead to burnout so it's important to speak up about resources you need to complete assignments, how to prioritize yoru workload, and other supports required to perform your tasks. Perhaps these are hindering your ability to get yoru work done effectively.
- Avoid meeting fatigue. Detemrine whether certain meetins are necessary. If so, can they be shortened? Does the meeting have to be a video call or can it be an audio conference call for a much needed screen break?
- Practice Mindfullness. Recognize when you feel your stress ramping up and take deep, slow breaths. This will immediately help reduce yoru heart rate and bring tension down. an added benefit is that in a calmer state people are more receptive to other solutions and perspectives.
- Tap into your emotional intelligence. Examine your stress responses to try to get at the source of frustrations or anxiety instead of remaining in a constant heightened state of tension. Once the source of the stress is identified and examined, it's easier to problem-solve. Maybe the situation isn't even worth the energy you are giving it.
- Create a fulfilling life outside of work. Engaging in hobbies and interestes outside of work not only helps with stress relief, but it also guards against feelings of resentment or cynicism related to work. Spend time doing activities that fuel you. Some people need a signficant amount of along time; others need to spend time on special interests or with friends and family. Find what recharges your battery!
Resources Available to You -- Whether you are interested in counseling to work through burnout, or are a leader looking to support your team, your Employee Assistance Program can help. Kepro offers no-cost, confidential counseling, unlimited management consultations, trainings, webinars, work-life resources and referral services, and website resources. Simply call Kepro’s toll-free number or log onto the website to get started.
TOLL-FREE: 1.833.539.7285
WEBSITE: sowi.mylifeexpert.com
CODE: SOWI
Reference: Moss, Jennifer. “Beyond Burned Out”. Harvard Business Review. February 10, 2021. https://hbr.org/2021/02/beyond-burned-out The contents of this article and referenced websites, such as text, graphics, images, and other material contained on the site are for informational purposes only. The content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Reliance on any information provided by these websites is solely at your own risk. Kepro is not responsible for the contents of any “off-site” web page referenced from this server. ©Kepro. All rights reserved.
