Burnout is one of the most widespread occupational problems in the modern workforce. It is a result of severe and prolonged workplace stress that can lead to an overwhelming and distressing state.
Burnout is a very serious problem that most workplaces are struggling with right now. It consists of lack of motivation, cynicism, exhaustion, irritation, helplessness and such
The overall result is decreased productivity and negative impact on mental-emotional wellbeing of employees.
Burnout impacts productivity not only at an individual but also on an organisational level. Around 7% of the working professionals report facing long-term burnout, with more than 50% reporting feeling chronic stress in the workplace.
In individuals, there is a significant impact on problem-solving skills, motivation, attention span, patience, self-confidence, etc. Burnout can lead to cognitive deficits that make it difficult to perform well.
At an organisational level, burnout impacts the overall quality and quantity of output produced, the rate of turnover and engagement within the organisation.
Thus, it is necessary to address burnout- to recover from it and prevent it in the future.
These techniques can be used to recover from a burnout, and get the productivity levels back up to ensure a good balance.
What is self care? Self care refers to engaging in activities that help one feel relaxed and enjoy their time. This could include exercising, journaling, spending time with your friends, watching movies, engaging in hobbies, etc.
These activities are key to recovering from a burnout as they allow you to disconnect from work stress and shift focus to personal wellbeing and enjoyment. Aside from the obvious benefit of getting some quality me-time and feeling more fulfilled, self care activities can help one build resilience against stress and burnout.
Thus engaging in fulfilling activities helps one de-stress, take time to recover from a burnout and improve productivity by having clear boundaries between work and personal life.
Unnecessary job stressors like unsupportive relationships, colleagues, excessive deadlines, unrealistic expectations, etc can add to the feeling of helplessness. Such an environment is not helpful in recovering from or avoiding burnout.
The first step is to draw boundaries and learn to say no. This can help manage what is expected of you. Although this can be difficult to do in many workplaces, it is important for leaders to create an environment where employees are encouraged to speak for themselves.
The goal is to be able to take charge of your work and mental health. This will also help employees to feel motivated, take initiative, and build trust among each other. Being able to exercise autonomy is an important part of burnout and work stress.
What is work life balance? Maintaining a healthy work life balance means being able to draw boundaries between your personal and professional life. This requires you to equally prioritise work and other commitments.
While disconnecting from work and leading a fulfilling personal life can help you recover from a burnout and find motivation again, it is also a great way to prevent burnout by ensuring that you take out time for the activities you love.
To maintain a healthy balance one can take multiple steps like limiting screen time, engaging in hobbies, spending quality time with friends and family, etc.
Additionally, it is necessary to build healthy habits that allow you to take care of your mental and physical health. This also includes activities like yoga, exercising, journaling, stretching, proper diet, and so on.
Such activities can be extremely useful in cultivating a habit of self-care and prioritising your mental health. Further, they provide a layer of insulation between stressors and your wellbeing, allowing you to cope with challenges in a healthy and positive manner.
Recognising a burnout or recovering from it are not always easy tasks. They are often even more difficult due to the hustle culture narrative and lack of social support. However, it is important to remember that burnout is officially included as an occupational health issue in the International Classification of Diagnosis (ICD-11) that may require professional and medical help.
It is absolutely okay (and even necessary) to seek professional help in case of a severe burnout.
The Helpers and Experts at heyy, are trained Mental Health Professionals (MHPs), with great experience in dealing with workplace mental health issues like burnout, stress, depression, anxiety, anger management, and more!
Download the heyy, app to take a quick self assessment and get your mental health score. This can help you understand the state of your emotional wellbeing. We are here to guide you through every step of mental well-being!
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ICD classifies burnout as an occupational condition
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