https://www.oakstone.co.uk/new-blog/are-you-suffering-from-burnout

A recent Gallup study of nearly 7,500 full-time employees found that 23% reported feeling burnt out at work very often or always, while an additional 44% reported feeling burnt out sometimes.  Burnout can affect anyone from C-Level to entry level positions – so what are the signs of burnout and how can you treat them?

Signs include:

• Disillusionment/loss of meaning

• Mental and physical fatigue and exhaustion

• Moodiness, impatience and short tempered

• Loss of motivation and reduced interest in commitments

• Inability to meet obligations

• Lowered immunity to illness

• Emotional detachment from previous involvements

• Feeling efforts are unappreciated

• Withdrawal from co-workers and social situations

• Hopeless, helpless and depressed outlook

• Job absenteeism and inefficiency

• Sleep deprivation

• Foggy thinking and trouble concentrating

It is a mixture of professional exhaustion and the feeling of being out of control about the way you feel.

Statistics show that more than 60% of work absenteeism is attributed to psychological stress and stress-related burnout. And according to a 2018 survey, 40% of the 2,000 employees said they were considering quitting because of burnout. Experts estimate that burnout translates into a loss of anywhere from $150 to $350 billion annually for U.S. 

There are prevention techniques and coping mechanisms you can take on.

1.       Work with a purpose

Don’t just work for the pay cheque – find meaning in what you’re doing and work towards making a difference in what you’re doing and within your role.  If you don’t feel satisfaction in what you’re doing, you won’t find enjoyment.

2.       Delegate

Not all your tasks are going to be essential to you or others being successful. Prioritise the important tasks and delegate the unimportant ones! Use the four quadrants to time management to organise your tasks on a daily basis.

3.       Take control

The more control you have over projects and tasks the less stressful work will be.  If you don’t have much control within your role, ask your manager if you can have more control and potentially manage your own projects.

4.       Prioritise exercise and the right amount of sleep

Exercise can help alleviate stress and create a sense of well-being.  It also increases energy levels which will increase motivation.  This all goes hand in hand with getting the right amount of sleep and the more you exercise the better you will sleep!

5.       Learn to manage stress

When not managed well, short-term stress can contribute to burnout. Try and deal with what is causing the stress right away – that way you won’t dwell on stressful situations and issues. Always think positively and realise there are always solutions to issues.

If you have more advice on how to prevent or manage burnout, we would love to hear from you!