Have you ever woken up on time and still felt tired? You reach work but can’t stop yawning. Random bouts of sleepiness take control as concentration slowly slips away! Ever wondered why even a short commute made you feel like you ran a 200m race? What you’re feeling might be more than just “because I slept late last night”. In fact, what you’re experiencing might be burnout. Not the tyre burnout, but a medical condition that many people face on a daily basis.
WHO recently has declared ‘Burnout’ as a medical condition.
What Is Burnout?
Burnout is a syndrome conceptualized as resulting from chronic workplace stress that has not been successfully managed. In simple words, burnout is a state of emotional or physical exhaustion at a workplace.
What Causes Burnout? What Can It Result In?
- Stress due to the inability to meet demands
- Lack of concentration due to the overwhelming amount of work
- Performance issues due to the lack of control over tasks
- Sleeping problems due to an imbalance of work and life
- Mental problems due to a lack of social support at home or at the office
Even though these are just some of the causes and effects of burnout, what really matters is how we treat this occupational phenomenon.
Burnout Can Be Treated In Several Simple Ways
- Take some time off work: You could use up your ‘sick days’ or simply ask for a ‘medical leave’. During your leave you shouldn’t have any contact with your workplace as the entire point of the leave is to relax and clear your mind.
- Set aside time for relaxation: Certain techniques of relaxation like yoga, meditation, and deep breathing exercises are known to be de-stressing and can clear your mind of troubles.
- Know your work-limits. Learn to say ‘no’ when you’re already burdened with work.
- Most importantly, you must keep your cool by doing what relaxes you.
- Remember, that burnout causes one to feel negativity, so always stay positive!
A Long-Term Solution
Alexander Den Heijer, an inspirational speaker who aims to help people flourish once said, “When a flower doesn’t bloom, you fix the environment in which it grows, not the flower.” In this case, it is not the person that must be treated, but the workplace environment.
- A workplace with a casual dress code, fun and positive environment can be a very effective in eliminating burnout.
- Stress-busting activities are an easy way to create a feeling of positivity. These activities could be going for walks, having flexible schedules or laughing with your colleagues.
These types of environments are known to increase workplace efficiency and decrease stress and exhaustion. If the workplace can successfully be turned into a fun environment, it can reduce, if not completely eliminate burnout.
Your Health Is More Important Than Work
Even though burnout can lead to some serious emotional and physical conditions, it can, fortunately, be treated easily. With the right care and attention, your workplace can be swiftly converted from a place where you feel burdened with work, to a place that brings you positivity.
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