Hectic working hours, meeting deadlines, planning and executing tasks, always low on sleep, rushing to your destination, inadequate nutrition, where does all of this lead us to? A burnout. 

WHO recognised the word ‘burnout’ in 2019 as an occupational phenomenon. 

What is burnout? Simply put, it is physical and mental exhaustion that is caused by being under prolonged stress. It happens when you work under pressure for a long time, where you feel stressed out, overwhelmed, emotionally exhausted, and unable to feel accomplished. Check getdiazepam for some effective treatments for this problem.

Some common signs of burnout are:

– Feeling energy deprived all the time

– Feeling a lack of support, detached, alone

– Feeling self-dubious

– Constant procrastination

– Feeling overwhelmed

– Having an overall negative outlook on life

Why should you be concerned about burnout and why take it seriously?

Burnout is not something you should take casually or expect to go away on its own. On the contrary, leaving it unaddressed might worsen with time, causing many other areas of your life to be directly or indirectly affected by it. 

Constant burnout does not only cost you your physical energy but also your mental health. If you happen to have difficulty meeting your life’s daily demands, this might get more tough in the future if your energy drainage is not addressed. As we all know that stress is the most notorious killer, it silently consumes your health without you even knowing.

Some factors which play a role in burnout are gender and age. According to observations, women and young people are more prone to stress and exhaustion as compared to their counterparts.

What causes burnout? What can we do about it?

Some of these causes have been identified to be the primary markers of burnout. 

1. Worrying about money

In these times, it is hard to imagine a life without finances. In almost all areas of life, you need money to sustain a comfortable lifestyle. Therefore, it is obvious the importance money holds. Money and mental health go hand in hand. It has been reported that more than 80% of people agreed that money issues can contribute to burnout. 

What can you do?

Planning your budget is key to having an understanding of where your money is going. Plan your savings. Try to save by cutting down on unnecessary expenditures and indulgences. 

2. Work from home

Ever since the pandemic hit, a lot of people have started working from home, and even now, some people continue to do so. However, nearly half of the people said working from home could contribute to burnout.

What can you do?

Structure and plan your day according to your time. To gain the most out of your day, try to get up early and sleep early. Take frequent breaks in order not to exhaust and overwork yourself. Just as it is important in an office to take breaks, it is equally important to take breaks while working from home. It is not any different. Take proper meals, take a walk in your surroundings and do some stretches. Most importantly, you should manage your time, as it can significantly influence your well-being and mental health.

3. Sleep patterns

Lack of sleep can do more damage in ways that you can’t imagine. How you feel physically and mentally is very much dependent on your sleep adequacy.

What can you do?

Sleeping on time and maintaining that particular pattern is crucial for your body’s clock. Try to unwind before bed and practice implementing techniques like breath work, meditation, yoga, and listening to soothing music, before you jump into bed.

4. Lack of support

Having a support system that supports you in trying times is imperative. Having people with whom you can share your problems, concerns, fears, hopes, and happiness is a blessing. Many people agree that a lack of support could easily lead to a mental breakout. 

What can you do?

Try to work on your relationship with yourself. It is healthy to have a good relationship with yourself as you will be able to maintain better relationships with others too. Self-care is crucial. Take proper rest, work out, read, cook, and speak positively to yourself. If you’re facing inner problems or problems in relationships with your family or friends, always communicate. Communication is key.

The 12 stages of burnout:

1. Excessive drive or ambition

2. Pushing yourself to work harder constantly

3. Neglecting yourself and your personal needs

4. Displacement of conflict

5. Not willing to dedicate time for non-work related matters

6. Denial

7. Withdrawal

8. Behavioral changes

9. Depersonalisation

10. Feeling empty from the inside

11. Depression

12. Mental breakdown or physical exhaustion

The takeaway

Unlike a cold or the flu, burnout doesn’t hit all at once. Instead, it slowly shows its impact. Therefore, it is vital to address the signs of burnout before it gets too late. In addition, it is extremely crucial to take care of not only your physical well-being but also your mental well-being.