T HE H IGH C OST OF B URNOUT By: Cheryl Shurtliffe Wellness 360 September 7, 2016
W HAT IS B URNOUT ? Burnout is a state of emotional, mental, and physical exhaustion caused by excessive and prolonged stress. It occurs when you feel overwhelmed and unable to meet constant demands. As the stress continues, you begin to lose the interest or motivation that led you to your work in the first place. Burnout reduces your productivity and saps your energy, leaving you feeling increasingly helpless, hopeless, cynical, and resentful. Eventually, you may feel like you have nothing more to give. Burnout and Compassion Fatigue are most common and prevalent in workers who are fantastic at their profession! We have all experienced days when days when we feel bored, overloaded, or unappreciated; when our hard work and efforts go unnoticed, let alone rewarded; when dragging ourselves out of bed requires the strength and determination of Hercules. When more days feel like this than not, you may be experiencing burnout.
W HAT C AUSES B URNOUT ? Poor job fit. If your job doesn't fit your interests and skills, it might become increasingly stressful over time. Extremes of activity. When a job is monotonous or chaotic, you need constant energy to remain focused — which can lead to fatigue and job burnout. Lack of social support. If you feel isolated at work and in your personal life, you might feel more stressed. Work-life imbalance. 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.
W HAT C AUSES B URNOUT ? Lack of control. An inability to influence decisions that affect your job — such as your schedule, assignments or workload — could lead to job burnout. So could a lack of the resources you need to do your work. 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. Dysfunctional workplace dynamics. Perhaps you work with an office bully, or you feel undermined by colleagues or your boss micromanages your work. This can contribute to job stress. Mismatch in values. If your values differ from the way your employer does business or handles grievances, the mismatch can eventually take a toll.
S IGNS A ND S YMPTOMS O F B URNOUT You begin showing up late and leaving early. Take many sick days. Have a lack of enthusiasm for your work. Feel frustration much of the time. There’s a decline in your health. You isolate yourself from coworkers. Every day is a bad day. Caring about your work or home life seems like a total waste of energy. You’re exhausted all the time.
S IGNS A ND S YMPTOMS O F B URNOUT The majority of your day is spent on tasks you find either mind-numbingly dull or overwhelming. You feel like nothing you do makes a difference or is appreciated. The negative effects of burnout spill over into every area of life—including your home and social life. Burnout can also cause long-term changes to your body that make you vulnerable to illnesses like colds and flu. Because of its many consequences, it’s important to deal with burnout right away.
S IGNS A ND S YMPTOMS O F B URNOUT As a result of burnout people may turn to otherwise unhealthy coping mechanisms such as drugs, alcohol, overeating – anything done to excess that has a negative impact on their overall health, wellbeing and relationships.
P REVENTING B URNOUT ... B ACK TO B ASICS
P RACTICE S ELF -C ARE
P RACTICE THE P RINCIPALS OF Y OGA
P LAY & H AVE F UN E VERY D AY
F IND T HINGS TO L AUGH A BOUT E VERY D AY
F IND T HINGS TO L AUGH A BOUT E VERY D AY My Boys... Ages 6 & 3 My Boys... Ages 26 & 23
R ECONNECT W ITH T HOSE YOU L OVE
B EGIN A S PIRITUAL P RACTICE
H OBBIES – N EW OR O LD
E VALUATE Y OUR P RIORITIES
S EEK P ROFESSIONAL H ELP
T O B E C ONTINUED ... Wellness 360 Counselling, Coaching, Consulting wellness 360@mycando.ca phone: (613) 888-5377 www.wellness360.ca
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