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In a society that glorifies hyperproductivity and so-called hustle culture, burnout is becoming an increasingly prevalent issue in the corporate world. Add to this living in a difficult economic time in which basic necessities such as rent and food are becoming increasingly unaffordable (I’m looking at you, Vancouver!), and chances are that you know someone in your circle who has suffered from burnout.
What are the Symptoms?
Burnout symptoms are similar to those of depression, yet burnout is not a medical condition but rather, an occupational phenomena according to the World Health Organization. Burnout is mental, physical, and emotional exhaustion due to prolonged, chronic stress originating from one’s work. So, how can this present itself? It is manifested behaviourally, mentally, as well as somatically. It builds up gradually and thus, can be insidious because one can fail to notice entering this state.
Symptoms of Burnout:
- Fatigue
- Sleep disturbances
- Body aches
- Changes in appetite (over or undereating)
- Feeling detached
- Feeling overwhelmed
- Feeling helpless
- Loss of interest and enjoyment
- Irritability
- Social withdrawal
- Difficulty concentrating
- Persistent feelings of worry or anxiety
How to be aware of Burnout
Because we know the source of these symptoms relates to the work environment, we can target this specific area of life in counselling to help a person overcome burnout. It requires implementing realistic, sustainable lifestyle changes. But more importantly, educating individuals on how to prevent this in the first place becomes paramount in this society.
As mentioned earlier, we don’t enter burnout overnight- it builds up over months or years depending on the type of job and a person’s mental capacity to handle stress. Prevention entails establishing a healthy work-life balance within a person’s unique circumstances. Ensuring that we engage in activities that– as I call it– feed our soul on a regular basis is crucial to managing work-related stress. Identifying an outlet for stress release is another important factor in burnout prevention. This can be kickboxing and yoga or journaling and drawing. Even just venting to a friend regularly can be a healthy outlet for stress release.
Self-Awareness and Setting Boundaries to Prevent Burnout
Within the work environment, prevention consists of establishing healthy boundaries around working hours, workload and relationships with co-workers. Most importantly, an individual’s ability to have awareness regarding their internal state is necessary to prevent burnout. Possessing awareness is contingent on a person’s level of connectedness to their body and mind. The greater our ability to recognize how we feel and what bodily sensations accompany our feelings, the greater our chances of catching ourselves ON TIME before we experience the symptoms that come along with burnout, which then make it harder to implement changes. The above-mentioned points capture the basics of burnout and there is a lot more nuance to this topic that can be discussed in a brief blog post. Each person’s circumstances differ and a counsellor will tailor treatment to the given client to help them with burnout management or prevention.
Here are Some Additional Resources for More Information:
If you’re seeking to connect further or receive support for burnout or need other assistance, please reach out to us at 250-718-9291 or email us at info@okclinical.com.
For specialized services, our team is ready to help you explore ur various counselling programs. You can also check out our General Counseling Services, learn about the Types of Therapy we offer, or visit our booking page here.
Resources:
- Burnout: A Review of Theory and Measurement, National Library of Medicine
- Burnout and Stress and Everywhere, American Psychological Association
Written by: Sadaf Nazari, Registered Clinical Counsellor
