Hardly any illness has produced so many stories, editorials, books and television broadcasts in the past years like the Burnout. Did you think burnout due to extreme stress and mismanagement was nothing to be worries about? You couldn’t be more wrong!
There are highly specialized burnout clinics and businesses are also implementing internal health checks for stress reduction to prevent burnout syndrome and the associated productivity losses. Burning out in the job is something like a kind of people’s disease.
It is true, however, that mental illnesses have increased in the workplace for years.
What is burnout?
Experts themselves find it difficult to explain the exact definition of the burnout syndrome. The best way to describe the burning out is physical and emotional exhaustion due to professional or personal life overload.
The concept was originally coined for the first time in the mid-1970’s by the psychoanalyst Herbert Freudenberger. He worked so hard for an extended period that he eventually reached a point where he simply did not see any progress.
In a burnout, you are neither physically nor emotionally able to cope with your everyday life. Some also speak of a heart attack. However, there is still a lack of uniformity and, above all, medically recognized definition of burnout.
In spite of many well-known personalities who have suffered a burnout and the countless cases that take place, exhaustion is not regarded as an independent disease with a precise diagnosis.
Burnout Symptoms: What symptoms should you look for?
A burnout develops slowly. These signs and symptoms are unfortunately ignored by manyas unimportant or light-headedness. Some of the most common burnout signs are:
- Sudden Hearing Loss
- Concentration problems
- Listlessness
- Hopelessness
- Problems in the partnership
- Cardiovascular problems
- Depressive thoughts
- Dizziness
- Increased infections
- Missing interest
- Bitterness
- Headache
- Self-pity
- Gastrointestinal complaints
- Insomnia
- Mood swings
- Irritability and aggression
- Lacking compassion
The following three symptoms are also typical:
#1 They are always talking about the job
Whether you’re in the coffee shop, attend a convention, or have a bar in the evening with friends, it’s not long before you talk to the job. In short, your thoughts revolve only around that.
#2 They cannot delegate
Most workaholics find it challenging to share responsibilities and assign tasks. Either because they fear losing control over it. Or, because they believe the result would be only half as good. They tend to either perfectionism or control freak, or both. And, both are ways of frustration, social isolation and burnout.
#3 They neglect private tasks
Have you ever wondered critically in your home: Do you have dirt and dishware in the sink? The household members have long been reproaching repairs? Do you forget to buy regularly or the errands you were given? Also, these are typical signs that your priorities have shifted unevenly and your head is barely free. You are slowly approaching burnout.
However, those who reach the final stage have more serious consequences: the continuous stress causes numerous physical functions which can lead to disability.
Here, medical and psychological treatment is indispensable.
What can be done about it?
Burnout usually arises from constant overloading or because one is more demanding than one can do physically and emotionally.
The first step is to make the right diagnosis. A specialist, psychiatrist or psychologist should check whether it is a near burnout or depression.
In the second step, the causes of the stress must be recognized. You should have the courage to pause and be aware of your situation. What is crucial is not to look at the guilt of others, but to think about what you have done to help you find yourself in this situation. It is about learning from it and thinking about what you have to do to systematically and consistently change it in small steps.
In the third step, therapy begins. The most important questions that need to be clarified are: How do I remove the continuous stress? Can I solve the problems in the team or is it up to me? How do I gain more serenity? Lastly, can I solve the problems myself, or do I need professional help?
Burnout Therapy: You can do that
How precisely the therapy and treatment with an already acute or imminent burnout looks cannot be said in general. Here, the individual adjustment is the most important to achieve the best possible result. Psychotherapy is notably the most successful and promising method, which can help many affected persons.
The aim here is to give the person concerned a new and strengthened self-awareness, to help prevent the harmful thoughts either at an early stage or to deal appropriately with it.
At this point, it should be mentioned once again that such burnout therapy is essential in cases of severe illness. You should, therefore, be sure to consult your doctor and speak openly about your situation. Many sufferers are ashamed of their situation. A big mistake that makes everything worse and harder.
More coffee does not help to counter fatigue, but regular breaks, regular sleep, healthy food and compensatory sport does. Plan more breaks and celebrate a tight day off.
The Sunday is when you need the relaxation to collect new energy for the week. If you want to meet friends again, have a chat, but do not talk about work.
If you want to prevent a burnout at an early stage, you can do some things to counter the burnout:
#1 Set priorities
Everyone has the same amount of time – you just have to share it appropriately. What do you have to do? What are the time-eaters? How can you divide the time better? Some things can be delegated.
#2 Check your expectations
Just as little as you can please everyone, you can change others. Make yourself free from acquired status images and role patterns.
#3 Go aggressively
Swallowing up unexplained or sucking into itself, wear down and feed on the power. Either you remain part of the problem or become part of the solution.
#4 Clarify your tasks
Accession occurs when professional competences and success criteria are not defined. Get emotional hold by knowing.
#5 Practice Saying ‘No’
Nice, helpful colleagues, likes everyone because they make life more comfortable – the own above all. But anyone who always gives his help to others too willingly pays a high price: Not only does one feel like a tea bag after the third infusion, but also the need to be useful. So, learn to say no – even to bosses.
#6 Reduce your availability
Smartphones also have a power switch. Use it, set a time after which you are no longer available for business or at least turn off the data services.
#7 Take your time for leisure
Idleness is the beginning of all vice. We forget that we can often be the source of good thoughts and great ideas. Instead of repeating the same old strategy of optimised time management and a more work-life balance, we should occasionally spend some of our time as leisure time.
Life is all about balancing. Balance your life and never experience burnout.
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