Many people suffer from burnout in their careers and life in general, but may not realize it. Going through the motions, dreading the fact that it's time to go to work, and feeling mentally exhausted are draining, but they can take a toll on one's attitude, work performance, and quality of life. Knowing the signs of burnout and what to do about it can make a difference.
We live in a time when all we do is rush from one point to the next, constantly being busy with work, tasks, and life chores. Before long, this can lead to people feeling emotionally depleted.
Recognizing the signs and taking action can help people overcome them and feel great. It can also help ensure that it doesn't happen again. According to the National Institutes of Health, burnout is a term that was coined in the 1970s by an American psychologist. The term is widely used today to describe the condition where people experience various symptoms, including mental exhaustion, feeling unmotivated, detached and helpless, feeling like a failure, having an increasingly pessimistic outlook, and not feeling satisfied with life.
People who experience burnout often feel like they have a lot of bad days, that the things they do don't matter, and that they are not appreciated. These feelings all lead to a decrease in life satisfaction, and until it's addressed, things will stay the same or even continue to decline.
Here are some things that can be done to address burnout:
Take a serious look at your job.
Burnout is often caused because people are not satisfied with their job. When this happens, it is time to determine what can be changed. Perhaps it is time to switch jobs or make a plan to move into a new career field.
Cut back on the number of hours worked
Those extra hours may be contributing to the problem. Some people put too many hours in at the office, and others still take their work home once they leave it. Set boundaries so that there are hours when work is not a part of your life and schedule.
Work on improving your attitude
By practicing gratitude, meditation, exercising regularly, and engaging in activities that bring you joy. Your work-life balance must be balanced in order to help create happiness.
Pay close attention to those you surround yourself with
Limit the time spent with people who are overly negative or drain you emotionally. This goes for people at work and in your personal life.
Take some time off.
Taking a sabbatical or planning a vacation doesn't have to be fancy. It just needs to be something that will allow you to relax, unwind, and re-charge. Relaxation time needs to be a part of your weekly schedule, too.
Get help if you feel that you cannot overcome it.
Work with an impact coach, career coach, or counselor to get the help you need to help move things in the right direction.
"I've worked with many people to help them address and avoid burnout," added Sandler. "When you finally take control and stop letting it control you, you will improve your quality of life. It's better to address it now rather than let it go on, getting worse."
Sandler has worked with many people who experience burnout to help them identify a plan for personal achievement, take steps to reach goals, and identify areas that need to be worked on. She provides people with meaningful tools that they can use to help bring calm and insight into their life. In addition to working with individuals, she offers luxury impact retreats.
Sandler has a bachelor's degree in psychology and a master's degree in mental health counseling, has a strong foundation in mindfulness-based stress reduction, and has worked in hospitals and private practice. She previously spent time as a research assistant while at Johns Hopkins, focusing on purpose in life. To learn more about Katie Sandler and her services, or to see the retreat schedule, visit the site: https://katiesandler.com/.
This guest post was authored by Katie Sandler
Katie Sandler is a popular impact coach and provides health and wealth coaching and personal and professional development. She offers retreats around the world, as well as private coaching and corporate impact coaching opportunities. She focuses on helping people become more successful so they can live with purpose and make an impact in our world. To learn more about Katie or her services, visit the site: https://katiesandler.com/.# # #
Source: National Institutes of Health. Depression: What is burnout? June 2020. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK279286/
*******
Ms. Career Girl strives to provide valuable insights you can use. To see more from our columnists and guest authors, check these out! Or subscribe to our weekly email featuring our latest articles. We're also present on Medium!
Ms. Career Girl was started in 2008 to help ambitious young professional women figure out who they are, what they want and how to get it.
