The Damaging Effects of Burnout
Burnout – What is it?
Now recognized as a condition by the World Health Organization, burnout can be summed up as an overall feeling that the sacrifices you make are not worth the effort or the reward. In functional MRIs, there are even observable changes in the brain from burnout.
It happens when a person is:
- Overworked, fatigued, resentful
- Feeling no social life
- The feeling of living for work
- Feeling untrusted, unseen, or unheard
- In a state of physical, mental, & emotional exhaustion.
Nearly 8 in 10, full-time employees experience burnout on the job at least sometimes.
Solutions Typically Used:
- Withdrawal – Mentally & Physically
- People revert to detaching.
- They think time-off would help.
- This is proven to be a bandage on a much larger problem.
- Antidepressants/sleeping pills – only dull the mind and mental cognition, not the burnout.
- Use of Stimulants – Coffee, Alcohol, and Drugs – All lead to more vicious cycles in addition to the burnout.
- Time Off – Burnout can’t be overcome on a weekend trip, if it is, that was not burnout.
- Talk Therapy – Meeting with a therapist for an hour a week to talk about your challenges will not give you the tools to overcome burnout.
- Leaving one company to go to another – This often leads to the same situation, as it often has to do with the habits of the individual.
NONE OF THESE WILL HELP ANYONE GET OVER BURNOUT!
How to know if you have it?
Mental Symptoms: 
- Chronic Stress
- Being in a rut
- Mind always elsewhere
- Brain fog
- Resentment
- Procrastination
Emotional Symptoms
- Feelings of why bother
- Irritability
- Feeling trapped
- Lack of purpose
- Unmotivated
- Cynicism
- Overwhelm
Physical Symptoms
- Constant fatigue
- Insomnia or need for sleeping pills
- Coffee – day / Alcohol – eve
- Sugary food cravings
- Frequent illness
- Headaches, back and muscle pain, eye strain
How it Costs Businesses:
Burnout can foresee what is happening with the future of their company. It means disengagement, missed deadlines, opportunities, lack of ideas for growth, lack of creativity, poor customer service, bad decisions, safety issues, sick time, high turnover, lawsuits and litigation, and more.
More data showing the cost to business reports that:
- 96% of Leaders have it – According to a Harvard study
- 51% of workers are actively looking for a new job – in the US.
- 58% of companies offer wellness programs for employees, so it may be something worth looking into.
Known as the Family and Medical Leave Act, FMLA is a federal law that guarantees certain employees up to 12 weeks of unpaid leave each year without the threat of job loss. Severe burnout and mental stress can qualify to use FMLA protection. A note from a doctor or psychologist proving a person is unable to perform their duties to a satisfactory level due to stress, burnout, and anxiety is legally enough for leave.
See the Anti-Burnout Solutions for Employers/Companies Here
What Are the Causes?
- Undervalued for sacrifices – resentment
- The reward does not match the work.
- Overly demanding or unclear expectations
- High-pressure environment
- Unrealistic Deadlines
- Lack of socialization or relaxation
- Stressful or abusive relationships
- Lack of sleep
- Lack of support, significance, or belonging
Self-induced Causes
- Perfectionism
- Pessimistic view of self and the world
- Need for control – poor delegation skills
- Overburdening type-A personality
- Accepts the weight of the world (or organization)
- Taking on too much work or responsibility
Questions to ask to know if you have burnout?
- Lack of energy?
- Dread for your day?
- Quicker to anger?
- Feel ineffectiveness and a lack of accomplishment?
- More work than you can realistically do every day?
- Overwhelmed where you don’t want to do anything?
- Always tired?
- Procrastinating?
- Nothing you do at work matters?
Solutions to Burnout
Here are Some Solutions That Actually Work including a Free Webinar Below
For Work & Life
- Boundaries (from your own negative thoughts, the company, employees, family, social media, news media, & diet.)
- Social contact – Connection
- Accountability/Support
- Reorganization of priorities – in 10 years what will matter the most?
- Eliminate or Delegate – too much responsibility too little significance
- Time management techniques.
Energetic/Spirit Approach
- Meditation
- Gratitude Techniques – the smaller the better. Including finding value in your work
- Active Hobbies/Passion Projects
Physical
- Health & Wellness programs including nutrition, herbs, simple exercise, detox, and stretching.
- Sleep Techniques
- Exercise/Stretching – even your desk or at home in under 15 minutes a day.
- Breathing Techniques
- Balancing Hormones
- Chi gong / Tai chi
Mental
- Journaling
- Proper Communication – Learn to express yourself to get what you want while offering others what they want
- Brain & Efficiency Hacks
See My Free Webinar Below for More
Avoid
- Drama
- Taking on more responsibilities
- Excessive time on Social media
- Alcohol, drugs, cigarettes, and other stimulants
- Regulate Coffee and how to avoid adrenal fatigue.
- Sugary & inflammatory foods
- Negative relationships – Identify and eliminate
- Knowing your limits for prevention – overstress, exhaustion, mental anguish, or the physical signs (back pain, neck pain, cramps)
FAQ About Burnout
What is burnout?
Now recognized as a condition by the W.H.O., burnout can be summed up as an overall feeling that the sacrifices you make are not worth the effort or the reward. In functional MRIs, there are observable changes in the brain from burnout. It happens a person is overworked, fatigued, resentful, feeling no social life, The feeling of living for work, feeling untrusted, unseen, or unheard, or in a state of physical, mental, & emotional exhaustion.
How many people suffer from burnout?
Nearly 8 in 10, full-time employees experience burnout on the job at least sometimes.
What can I do to get over burnout?
Overcome subconscious blocks around stress addiction, establish internal/external boundaries, energy meditations, nutritional programs, establish priorities & time management, sleep techniques, communication exercises, and more.
Is burnout the same as depression?
No, depression is often an aspect of burnout, and they have similar symptoms, however, burnout is closer to emotional exhaustion from work and/or relationships. Burnout can be difficult to separate from depression but typically includes additional symptoms.
What are the symptoms of burnout?
Chronic Stress, feeling in a rut, brain fog, procrastination, feelings why bother, irritability, lack of purpose, cynicism, overwhelm, constant fatigue, insomnia or need for sleeping pills, alcohol or other stimulants, frequent illness including headaches, back and muscle pain, and eye strain
What causes burnout?
Feeling undervalued, demanding or unclear expectations, high-pressure environment, unrealistic deadlines, lack of socialization or relaxation, stressful relationships, lack of sleep, lack of support, significance, or belonging, perfectionism, pessimistic view of self and the world, need for control – poor delegation skills or taking on too much work or responsibility
How to know if you have burnout?
Are you overwhelmed that you don’t want to do anything? Do you feel dread for your day? Lack purpose? Do you have more work than you can realistically do every day? If yes to any of these you have a high risk for burnout.
