Burnout can be experienced by anyone who is juggling too much. It often happens when we feel we have so much on that we don’t have time to take a break. Life’s demands between work, home, and helping others can take their toll. Overload burnout is the most referenced type, but there are other reasons you might be feeling frazzled. Let’s explore the three types of burnout.
- Overload Burnout
The classical example is the feeling of being swamped. Your task list, as well as demands from others, may begin to seem unmanageable and you can start to feel like the next thing that comes up may be the thing that breaks you.
- Neglect Burnout
This type of burnout comes from feeling helpless in a situation. Perhaps you don’t feel like you can say no or believe you don’t have the capabilities to manage what is being requested of you. It can also result from working in an environment that is perceived as unfair. Neglect burnout can lead to stress, and an employee distancing or disassociating themselves from their job.
- Under-Challenged Burnout
If you aren’t finding any fulfilment in your work, you could be experiencing under-challenged burnout. Lack of appreciation and boredom are often crucial factors that can lead to cynicism, indifference, and withdrawal from responsibilities.
Symptoms of Burnout
The effects of burnout can damage your home, work, and social life. For each person, the symptoms of burnout maymanifest differently. However, three key factors are usually used to distinguish burnout from routine stress:
- Fatigue or exhaustion
- Lack of enthusiasm, or cynicism
- Reduced performance
Preventing Burnout
- Seek help
According to Statistica, 23% of people said that they would try to get through burnout on their own. Make sure you speak to friends and family, your colleagues, and/or a health professional for a better chance at a quick recovery. Don’t be afraid to ask for help.
- Take rest
You may feel like you don’t have time, but resting is the best thing you can do to get your energy and productivity back up to speed. Ensure you practice sleep hygiene for the best chances of a restful night and take time off if you need it.
- Keep moving
If you are feeling time poor, exercise is probably the last thing on your mind. However, studies have shown time and time again that movement has multiple health benefits for your body and mind. 30 minutes a day is enough to make a big difference.
- Tame your brain
For someone who is struggling with burnout, asking them to focus on the present moment can seem contradictory to their instincts. It requires a release of all the ‘what ifs’, just for a short while. There are many ways to do this. It can be as simple as taking a moment to focus on the breath, whilst others prefer to have some guidance in group meditation or yoga practise.