Life can become overwhelming, and often very quickly. A combination of work pressure, family responsibilities, financial stress and caring for others can mean we forget to take a step back and give our bodies and minds time to rest. Prolonged stress in any aspect of life can lead to burnout, but it’s particularly prevalent in the workplace.

Burnout isn’t just a lack of enthusiasm or interest in work. It’s a build-up of emotional exhaustion due to prolonged work-related stress. If not managed effectively with care, it can have a severe impact on your mental and physical well-being.

Is Burnout Syndrome the Same as Stress?

Burnout is not a medical condition, but it is a mental health issue that is a cause for concern. The World Health Organization recognises burnout as a phenomenon that results from “chronic workplace stress that has not been successfully managed.” It suggests that burnout is characterised by feelings of exhaustion, cynicism relating to a job and reduced professional efficacy.

Unlike typical workplace stress, which boosts productivity, alertness, and energy, burnout leads to a complete depletion of both mental and physical resources.

burnout syndromeBurnout Can Cause Physical and Emotional Symptoms

Burnout syndrome is often accompanied by physical symptoms such as:

  • Headaches
  • Muscle pain
  • Fatigue
  • Insomnia and sleep problems
  • Stomach issues
  • Frequent illnesses
  • Appetite changes

The physical symptoms of job burnout can also be accompanied by emotional problems including:

  • A loss of motivation
  • Lack of concentration
  • Reduced energy levels
  • Sense of hopelessness
  • Cynicism
  • Lack of job satisfaction
  • Sense of failure and self-doubt
  • Feeling detached or a sense of isolation
  • Depression and anxiety

What Causes Work Burnout? Is It a Matter of Balance?

Burnout can be caused by a range of issues including poor work culture, lack of control, heavy workload, long hours, unsupportive managers, poor communication, lack of recognition or feedback or limited opportunities for job progression. Working in a profession where the well-being of others is your responsibility can also lead to enhanced stress and eventual burnout.

Poor energy management strategies can also cause burnout. Managing energy well helps us understand our individual needs and limitations, so that we can focus on activities that most effectively help achieve goals.

It can be difficult to understand why some workers experience burnout while others don’t when faced with the same workplace stressors. However, research suggests that certain personality traits, such as conscientiousness and extroversion, may go some way to explaining this.

feeling burnout

Identify the Warning Signs of Burnout in the Workplace

While some amount of job stress is normal, when employees are unable to cope with the demands of their jobs over long periods, it can lead to burnout. Demands in the workplace that cause chronic stress such as excessive workloads, time pressures or resource constraints can cause staff to feel overwhelmed. Physical and mental burnout symptoms eventually lead to behavioural changes, including reduced performance, neglect of responsibilities, absenteeism and high workforce turnover.

Employees suffering from burnout may abuse illicit drugs or use alcohol to cope, they may become withdrawn and be prone to procrastination and are more likely to experience outbursts of anger or other emotions.

Why Burnout Prevention is Crucial for Workplaces

If left untreated, burnout can lead to more serious medical conditions such as heart disease, depression, obesity, type 2 diabetes, respiratory problems, high blood pressure, severe injuries and even early mortality. It can affect personal and family relationships as well as connections with colleagues.

If not addressed by individuals or supervisors, burnout caused by persistent stress can affect the ability and attitude of the whole workforce. Therefore, it’s important to recognise the associated risk factors to avoid burnout affecting the morale of whole departments and impacting company culture.

Burnout Recovery Tips to Prioritise Self-Care and Job Satisfaction

Both employers and employees can take steps to create a positive work environment where creativity, communication and self-care are prioritised. These small steps can help improve the overall well-being of your entire organisation and help those suffering from burnout to recognise and address problems as soon as they arise.

  • Provide support to staff who are experiencing burnout with open communication to address the root cause of burnout, offer therapy or employee assistance programs, or invest in high-quality energy management training programs with an experienced corporate training company.
  • Make work-life balance a priority for yourself or your company by offering flexible work agreements or extra leave opportunities.
  • Give employees clarity on their role, discuss opportunities for professional development and provide them with recognition when they are doing a good job.
  • Encourage staff to participate in activities that positively affect their mood and state of mind, such as yoga, meditation or mindfulness techniques.
  • Minimise workplace stress by using free online tools to stay organised and boost productivity.
  • Inspire staff members to move their bodies daily. Exercise is known to reduce stress and can reduce the risk of burnout. For example, co-workers could dedicate part of their lunch break to taking a walk around the building.

walking around building

  • Encourage a healthy diet by swapping office cake afternoons with healthy food options or inviting healthy food trucks to set up at your workplace during lunch breaks.
  • Remind workers to take frequent breaks (they boost productivity!) and use these techniques to manage their time.
  • Ensure staff are taking their holiday time. While holidays won’t fix the cause of burnout, they can give staff time to reflect on how they’re managing their stress.

Want to Learn More About How Energy Management Can Reduce Stress?

One of the best ways to avoid burnout syndrome is to learn where to put your focus. While time is finite, workers can greatly benefit by learning how to best use their natural rhythms to boost productivity without compromising emotional well-being.

Priority Management is the trusted leader in workspace solutions. We offer a range of in-house, online and public training courses to help you work smarter, not harder. Call us today on 1300 139 126 or visit our website for more information.