Burnout is the term used to describe the feeling of exhaustion caused by long-term stress or being overworked. If not treated, burnout can become a serious issue. Learning to recognize the signs of burnout and manage them is essential for recovery.
Burnout refers to a state of physical and mental exhaustion caused by a combination of prolonged workplace stress and insufficient rest and recovery time. Burnout starts as a feeling of mild fatigue, but if it’s not managed properly, it can become a serious issue that affects your personal relationships and well-being.
What Is Burnout?
Feeling stressed or working long hours can be tiring. While most people can handle stress well in short bursts, persistent stress can take its toll on a person’s physical and mental health. Prioritizing rest and recovery can prevent tiredness turning into burnout and help people maintain a healthy approach to work.
According to a report published in the journal Human Resources for Health, more than one-third of public health workers suffer from the condition. Those who work in high-stress roles or who work long hours are more likely to experience burnout, but anyone who is struggling with their work/life balance may experience symptoms.
The Stages of Burnout
Burnout doesn’t happen overnight. Most people go through a series of stages, starting with increased commitment and effort in response to the demands of their job. Over time, this can turn into severe burnout if they don’t manage to take time to rest and recover. These stages are:
- The Honeymoon Phase. In this period, a person is full of ideas and motivation, and may even feel excited about pouring time and energy into a new job.
- Stress Onset. Tiredness, irritability and a loss of motivation are common during this stage of burnout. A person who works hard for a long time without breaks or proper rest and recovery may find the stress of the job starts to catch up with them.
- Chronic Stress. Prolonged stress can have an impact on a person’s social life and lead to them becoming irritable, feeling tired constantly, and being more vulnerable to illness. Failure to recognize these warning signs and respond to them appropriately can contribute to burnout.
- Burnout. At this point, the feelings of exhaustion and stress may be overwhelming. Friends, family members and co-workers may notice a significant change in your behaviour. Recovering after a full work week can feel almost impossible for someone at this stage of burnout.
- Habitual Burnout. Attempting to push through the early stages of burnout can lead to depression and persistent fatigue. Many people who reach this stage of burnout require the assistance of a mental health professional to recover.
When Burnout Crosses Into Mental Health Crisis
Feeling tired or slightly stressed after a hard week at work is normal. If someone is using healthy coping mechanisms to recharge after a busy time at work, they should be able to maintain a good work/life balance. However, if someone is regularly working themselves to exhaustion, self-medicating, or neglecting self-care practices, this could be a sign of burnout.
Chronic burnout can constitute a mental health crisis. The team at FHE Health offers support for people who are struggling with stress, anxiety, depression and other common symptoms of burnout.
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Physical and Psychological Warning Signs
Some warning signs of burnout include:
- Irritability
- Mood swings
- Constant fatigue
- Loss of motivation at work
- Loss of interest in hobbies
- Social isolation
- Dreading going into work
- Poor productivity
- Feeling overwhelmed at day-to-day tasks
- Aches and pains
- Tiredness even after a good night’s sleep
- Headaches
- Loss of appetite
Who Is Most Vulnerable to Burnout?
According to a report published in the Human Resources magazine, Personnel Today, younger workers are more likely to experience burnout than older ones. The report highlighted that employees were more likely to experience burnout if they felt they couldn’t talk to their bosses about their struggles. It also highlighted pressure to work while unwell as a common cause of stress and burnout.
The Role of Identity and Overwork in Burnout
Maintaining boundaries between the workplace and your personal life is essential for physical and emotional well-being. Employees are more likely to burn out if they work in high-stress roles, or if they view their job as a major part of their identity, to the point they’re unable to truly “switch off” and relax after work. This is one of the issues highlighted in the Personnel Today report. Older employees who manage their boundaries well are more likely to use healthy coping mechanisms to deal with stress.
How Burnout Is Treated
Burnout can be treated through a combination of short-term time off, lifestyle adjustments, and professional support to ensure employees learn to set healthy boundaries in the future. It can take a long time to recover from a severe case of burnout, and some individuals find a career switch helpful.
Getting Support at FHE Health
FHE Health helps people recover from fatigue, stress, anxiety and other mental health conditions. Our team uses an individually tailored approach to addressing burnout and mental health challenges. Contact us today to discuss your situation with one of our admissions team.
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FHE Health is Here to Help You Recover from Burnout
Don’t let burnout put a dampener on your career. If you’re struggling with burnout and need some help to get back on track, contact us now to book an appointment with one of our compassionate counselors.
