What is Burnout?
Burnout is a state of emotional, physical, and mental exhaustion caused by excessive and prolonged stress. It occurs when you feel overwhelmed, emotionally drained, and unable to meet constant demands. As the stress continues, you begin to lose the interest and motivation that led you to take on a certain role in the first place.
What Causes Burnout?
Burnout often stems from your job. But anyone who feels overworked and undervalued is at risk for burnout—from the hardworking office worker who hasn’t had a vacation or a raise in two years, to the frazzled stay-at-home mom struggling to care for kids, housework, and an aging parent.
Here are a few potential causes:
1. Lack of Control: An inability to influence decisions that affect your job, such as your schedule, assignments, or workload, could lead to burnout.
2. Unclear Job Expectations: If you're unclear about the degree of authority you have or what your supervisor or others expect from you, you're not likely to feel comfortable at work.
3. Dysfunctional Workplace Dynamics: Working with an office bully, feeling undermined by colleagues, or feeling undervalued can contribute to job burnout.
4. Work-Life Balance: If your work takes up so much of your time and effort that you don't have the energy to spend time with your family and friends, you might burn out quickly.
Solutions for Burnout
Here are some strategies to help manage burnout:
1. Seek Support: Whether from co-workers, friends, loved ones, or professionals, support and collaboration might help you cope.
2. Evaluate Your Options: Discuss specific concerns with your supervisor. It might be possible to adjust your schedule or responsibilities.
3. Exercise: Regular physical activity can help you to better deal with stress. It can also take your mind off work.
4. Mindfulness and Relaxation Techniques: Techniques such as yoga, meditation, and deep breathing activate the body’s relaxation response, a state of restfulness that is the opposite of the stress response.
Preventative Measures
1. Start the day with a relaxing ritual: Rather than jumping out of bed as soon as you wake up, spend at least 15 minutes meditating, writing in your journal, doing gentle stretches, or reading something that inspires you.
2. Adopt healthy eating, exercising, and sleeping habits: When you eat right, engage in regular physical activity, and get plenty of rest, you have the energy and resilience to deal with life’s hassles and demands.
3. Set boundaries: Don't overextend yourself. Learn how to say "no" to requests on your time.
4. Take a daily break from technology: Set a time each day when you completely disconnect. Put away your laptop, turn off your phone, and stop checking email.
Booking an Appointment with MyMind
If you're struggling with burnout, it's crucial to reach out for professional help. You can book an appointment with a mental health professional through MyMind.
On the MyMind website, click on the "Join" button. You'll be directed to a registration page where you can create a new account or log in if you're an existing user. Once logged in, you can choose a mental health professional based on your preferences and book an appointment at a time that suits you.
Remember, seeking help is a step towards managing and overcoming burnout. It's a sign of strength, not weakness.