We’re well and truly closer to Christmas 2019 than Christmas 2018 and if you’ve been going hard working on taking your career to the next level or accepting extra shifts to boost your bank balance, you might be reaching the point in the year where you’re feeling a bit tuckered out. So how do you know whether pulling a Monday sickie will solve the problem or if something a bit more serious is going on?
Burnout is no longer just a popular buzzword doing the rounds on social media. The World Health Organization (WHO) added burnout to the International Classification of Diseases this year as an occupational phenomenon. We all have stressful days but burnout is the result of chronic stress in the workplace that has not been managed successfully.
Does any of the following sound familiar?
- Feeling exhausted or depleted of energy – often emotionally and physically
- Reduced professional performance
- Feeling mentally distanced from your job or negative and cynical about work
Burnout can be a distressing problem and can increase the risk of developing depression but it is reversible. If you think it is something you’re struggling with, here are some things you could do:
- Organise to see a mental health professional; you may be able to access sessions through your workplace EAP.
- Talk to your supervisor or HR department about particular issues you’re struggling with, like unfair treatment or unreasonable time pressure or workload.
- Try not to take work home with you.
- Take some leave. A week away likely won’t solve the problem but organising regular breaks can help to combat burnout.
- Figure out some self-care strategies to manage your stress levels – a healthy diet, exercise routine, and getting plenty of sleep can help to offset stress at work.
- Utilise your support network both inside and outside the workplace.
You can also talk to one of our friendly psychologists at PsychMed about how to manage burnout. Find out more by calling 8232 2424.