Updated: February 21, 2023
Burnout is a state of emotional, physical, and mental exhaustion caused by excessive and prolonged stress. Often, we don’t recognize its early signs but it’s crucial to do so because the earlier you address it, the easier it will be to manage.
Common Causes of Burnout in the Workplace
1. Overwork and long hours
This is perhaps the most common reason for burnout in the workplace. When you work too much, you may not have enough time to rest and recover, which can lead to physical, emotional, and mental exhaustion.
In addition to the negative impact on your well-being, overwork and long hours can also affect your productivity and performance, as well as your relationships with colleagues and loved ones. Several factors can contribute to this cause, including job demands, work culture, and personal factors.
For example, if your office culture considers working long hours as a sign of dedication and commitment, you may feel pressure to work more than what is sustainable for your health and well-being. In addition to external factors, personal factors such as perfectionism, difficulty saying “no” to additional work, and a desire for career advancement can also contribute to overwork and long hours.
Signs of overwork are chronic fatigue, increased stress, and reduced productivity. To address this would, you should set boundaries around your work hours, delegate tasks to others, or seek support from colleagues and managers to help manage your workload.
2. Lack of control
When you feel like you have no control over your work, your work environment, or the decisions that affect your job, you may feel helpless, frustrated, and demotivated. This lack of control can lead to feelings of disempowerment and, ultimately, burnout.
A lack of control can manifest in a variety of ways in the workplace. For example, you may feel like you have no input into the decisions that affect your work, that you have no say in how your work is structured, or that you are not being heard by your colleagues or managers. Additionally, you may feel that the goals and expectations set for you are unrealistic or unattainable, leaving you feeling overwhelmed and out of control.
Identify the specific areas where you feel powerless and take steps to address them. Speak up about your concerns or ask for more information or feedback. You can also find ways to increase your sense of autonomy and control, such as by taking on new projects, setting personal goals, or finding ways to work more independently.
3. Lack of support
When you feel like you don’t have the support you need from your colleagues, managers, or the organization as a whole, you may feel isolated, unappreciated, and overwhelmed. This can lead to feelings of disillusionment, disengagement, and burnout.
There are several ways that a lack of support can manifest in the workplace.
For example, you may feel like you don’t have the resources or training you need to do your job effectively, or that you’re not getting the feedback or recognition you need to feel valued and motivated. Additionally, you may feel like your concerns or ideas are not being heard or taken seriously by your colleagues or managers.
If you feel lacking support, try to reach out for help and build relationships with colleagues and managers. You can seek out a mentor or a coach who can provide guidance and feedback, or connect with colleagues who can offer support and encouragement. Moreover, it’s important to communicate your needs and concerns to your colleagues and managers, so that they can provide the resources, feedback, and recognition you need to feel valued and motivated.
Finally, it may also be necessary to reevaluate your current work situation if you continue to feel unsupported despite your efforts to seek help. This might involve looking for a new job or finding ways to transition into a different role or department within your organization.
4. Monotony or lack of challenge
When you feel like your job is repetitive, unchallenging, or unfulfilling, you may experience a sense of boredom, apathy, and disengagement. This can lead to a lack of motivation, reduced productivity, and consequently, burnout.
A lack of challenge in the workplace can manifest in a variety of ways. For example, you may feel like your job duties are too repetitive and don’t offer enough variety or complexity to keep you engaged. Alternatively, you may feel like your job doesn’t align with your skills, interests, or values, making it difficult to find meaning or purpose in your work.
Initially, it will help to seek out new challenges within your current role, such as taking on new responsibilities or projects or finding ways to apply your skills and expertise in new and innovative ways. Additionally, explore opportunities for career development, such as training or education programs, or seek out new job opportunities that offer greater challenges and potential for growth.
It’s also important to recognize the value of work-life balance in preventing burnout. By pursuing activities and hobbies outside of work that challenge and engage you, you can find a sense of fulfillment and purpose that can help prevent burnout and improve your overall well-being.
5. Conflicting values
When your personal values conflict with the values of your workplace, you may feel a sense of dissonance, disillusionment, and emotional exhaustion. This can lead to feelings of frustration, cynicism, and a lack of motivation, which leads to burnout.
Conflicting values can manifest in many ways in the workplace. For example, you may feel that your organization’s values are not aligned with your own, or that the company’s actions and decisions do not reflect the values they claim to hold. Alternatively, you may feel that the demands of your job conflict with your values, leading to a sense of moral distress.
To address this, it’s important to understand your values and priorities, and how they align with your organization’s values. This may involve exploring your organization’s mission and values, and determining whether they are in line with your values. If there are conflicts, it may be necessary to address them through communication and negotiation with your colleagues and managers.
Additionally, it’s important to maintain a sense of perspective and balance when dealing with conflicting values. Find ways to maintain a sense of meaning and purpose in your work, despite any conflicts, such as by focusing on the positive impact you can have on others, or by finding ways to align your work with your personal values outside of work.
Identify the Cause of your Burnout
Identifying the cause of burnout is an important step in preventing and recovering from burnout in the workplace. Burnout can be caused by a variety of factors and understanding the root cause of your burnout can help you develop targeted strategies to address the issue and prevent it from recurring.
To identify the cause of burnout, start by reflecting on your experiences and feelings in the workplace. Ask yourself:
- What are the specific aspects of my job that are causing me stress or overwhelm?
- Are there particular tasks or responsibilities that I find particularly challenging or draining?
- Do I feel like I have control over my workload and schedule, or do I feel overwhelmed and powerless?
- Are there conflicts or tensions in my workplace that are contributing to my burnout?
- Do I feel supported and valued by my colleagues and manager, or do I feel isolated and unsupported?
As you reflect on these questions, you may also consider keeping a journal or log of your experiences and emotions in the workplace. This can help you identify patterns or trends in your feelings of burnout and pinpoint specific triggers or causes. And once you have identified the cause of your burnout, you can start developing strategies to address the issue
How to Deal with Burnout in the Workplace
1. Take time off
Take a break and prioritize your well-being. Rest and recharge, so you can come back to work with renewed energy and motivation. Depending on your situation and needs, choose the type of time off that can best help you.
For example, a vacation can provide a much-needed break from work and allow you to focus on other areas of your life. Taking a sick day or mental health day can give you time to rest and recover if you’re feeling overwhelmed or unwell. If available as an option, take a sabbatical to pursue personal or professional growth opportunities.
Taking time off doesn’t mean you’re slacking off or being unproductive. Rather, it can improve your productivity and effectiveness in the long run by giving you the time and space to rest and recharge. By taking care of yourself and prioritizing your well-being, you’ll be better equipped to handle the demands and challenges of your job in the long term.
To make the most of your time off, communicate your plans with your colleagues and manager. This may involve coordinating your workload with your team and ensuring that your responsibilities are covered while you’re away. Additionally, set clear boundaries around work during your time off, such as not checking emails or taking work calls.
2. Set boundaries
Boundaries are guidelines and limits you establish for yourself to ensure that your work doesn’t interfere with your personal life and well-being. When you don’t set boundaries, you may feel like you’re constantly working or always available, leading to feelings of overwhelm and burnout.
There are different types of boundaries you can set, depending on your situation and needs.
For example, you may set boundaries around your work hours, ensuring that you’re not working outside of your designated work schedule. Alternatively, you may set boundaries around your accessibility, such as not checking emails or taking work calls during your personal time.
Setting boundaries can also involve communicating your needs and limitations to your colleagues and manager. Let them know when you’re not available or when you need time off. Also, clarify your role and responsibilities within the team. By communicating your boundaries clearly, you can reduce the risk of misunderstandings or conflicts, and ensure that your needs are respected and supported.
Setting boundaries is not a sign of weakness or unproductivity. Instead, it improves your productivity by allowing you to maintain your energy and focus on the work at hand. By setting and respecting your boundaries, you can maintain a healthy work-life balance and prevent burnout in the workplace.
3. Seek support
When you’re feeling overwhelmed or burned out, it can be helpful to reach out to others for support and assistance. This can include seeking help from colleagues, friends, family, or mental health professionals.
You may seek emotional support from a trusted friend or family member, who can offer a listening ear and help you process your feelings. Alternatively, you can seek practical support from a colleague or supervisor, who can help you prioritize tasks, delegate responsibilities, or find resources to help you manage your workload.
If you’re struggling with persistent feelings of burnout or anxiety, consider seeking professional help from a mental health professional. A therapist or counselor can help you develop coping skills and strategies to manage stress and process emotions.
Seeking support is not a sign of weakness or failure. Seeking support can be a sign of strength and resilience, as it shows that you are taking active steps to care for your well-being. By reaching out to others for help, you can reduce the risk of burnout and improve your overall well-being and effectiveness in the workplace.
To seek support, start by identifying people or resources that you can turn to in times of need. This may involve building a support network of colleagues, friends, or family members, or researching and accessing mental health resources in your community.
4. Find meaning
When you feel a sense of purpose and fulfillment in your work, you are more likely to feel motivated and engaged, and less likely to experience burnout.
There are a few ways to find meaning in your work. One approach is to connect your work to a broader purpose or mission. Reflect on how your work contributes to the greater good or makes a difference in the world.
For example, if you work in healthcare, you may find meaning in the knowledge that you are helping to improve the health and well-being of your patients. If you work in education, you may find meaning in the knowledge that you are helping to shape the minds and futures of your students.
Another approach to finding meaning in your work is to focus on the personal growth and development opportunities that your job provides. You may set goals for yourself and work towards them, seek out new challenges and opportunities for learning and development, and celebrate your progress and achievements along the way.
You can also cultivate positive relationships with your colleagues and customers. Building strong relationships can help you feel a sense of connection and belonging in your workplace, and can also help you feel more invested in your work. Finally, see if you can make time for activities outside of work that bring you joy and fulfillment. This may include hobbies, volunteer work, or spending time with loved ones.
5. Prioritize self-care
Self-care involves taking intentional steps to promote your physical, mental, and emotional well-being. When you prioritize self-care, you are better able to manage stress and prevent burnout.
Some common self-care practices include:
- Prioritizing sleep: Getting enough rest is essential for physical and mental health. Aim to get 7-9 hours of sleep per night, and try to establish a consistent sleep routine.
- Engaging in physical activity: Regular exercise can help reduce stress and improve mood. Find an activity that you enjoy, whether it’s yoga, running, or dancing, and make it a regular part of your routine.
- Eating well: A healthy diet can help support your physical and mental health. Focus on eating whole, nutrient-dense foods, and try to limit processed and sugary foods.
- Practicing mindfulness: Mindfulness practices, such as meditation or deep breathing, can help reduce stress and promote relaxation.
- Engaging in hobbies and interests: Spending time doing things you enjoy can help you feel fulfilled and reduce stress.
- Establishing boundaries: Setting boundaries with work and other demands can help you maintain a healthy work-life balance and prevent burnout.
- Seeking social support: Connecting with friends and loved ones can help you feel supported and reduce stress.
Even small steps, such as taking a few deep breaths or going for a short walk during the workday, can help you feel more centered and refreshed. Remember that taking care of yourself is not a selfish act, but rather an essential part of maintaining your well-being and effectiveness in the workplace.
Lastly, remember that burnout is a serious issue that can have long-term consequences for your health and well-being. If you’re struggling with burnout, don’t hesitate to seek help and support.
In Summary
In today’s fast-paced and demanding work environment, burnout is a common experience for many individuals. Burnout can have negative effects on physical and mental health, as well as job performance and satisfaction. However, there are strategies that individuals can use to prevent and recover from burnout.
Some of the most effective strategies for preventing and recovering from burnout include: taking time off, setting boundaries, seeking support, finding meaning in your work, and prioritizing self-care.
While the specific strategies that work best for each individual may vary, the key is to prioritize self-awareness and take intentional action to manage stress and prevent burnout.
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