Many of us have jobs that cause us stress and worry from time to time. But if this stress continues at a high level for a long period, it can lead to what’s known as ‘burnout’.
Many of us have jobs that cause us stress and worry from time to time. But if this stress continues at a high level for a long period, it can lead to what’s known as ‘burnout’.
It can be difficult to know how to deal with burnout, especially when you’re in the middle of it. So read on to find out what you can do about it, including 6 tips to help you recover.
Sometimes, situations and pressures at work can be difficult to deal with and you may feel unable to cope. If this goes on for a long time, it can start to affect your body and eventually cause mental, physical and emotional exhaustion. This is known as
.You may not notice the signs of burnout at first, as they can happen gradually. But they can get worse over time if your stress doesn’t go away.
Key burnout symptoms include:
You can find a full list of burnout symptoms
.To recover from burnout, the first thing you need to do is recognise the things that caused you to burn out. Factors involved could include:
If you need help understanding the causes of your burnout, you might want to talk to a healthcare professional for advice.
Once you’ve recognised the causes of your burnout, you can take steps to start to recover. Here are 6 things to try…
When you’re burnt out, it can be difficult to come up with ways to ease your stress and change things on your own. But talking to people you trust about how you’re feeling can help you to feel supported and less alone. This could be a partner, friend or family member.
If you don’t feel comfortable talking to people close to you, you might find it helpful to talk to a therapist. If your job has an employee assistance programme, you may be able to access help through this.
If you feel able to, it’s a good idea to talk to your manager or supervisor about what you’re going through. Discussing the causes of your burnout with them may lead to making positive changes in your job that will help to give you a better work-life balance.
When you’re burnt out, it’s important to take time to remember what’s important to you and makes you happy. Chances are you’ve neglected these things because you’ve been so focused on your stress and pressures.
Setting boundaries can be difficult. Remember, saying ‘no’ sometimes will mean you’ll be able to say ‘yes’ to more of the things you want to take part in and give your time to.
When you’re burnt out, you may have overwhelming feelings of failure and self-doubt. Try to show yourself some understanding and compassion, in the same way you would a friend. Don’t be too hard on yourself – no one’s perfect and we all need a break sometimes.
Looking after your body will help you feel better and can help ease some of those burnout symptoms. So try to prioritise healthy eating, exercise and sleep.
Making sure you’re giving enough time to each of these areas can help to boost your happy hormones, keep your immune system strong and build up the energy you need to tackle what you’re going through.
If you’re able to, take some time off work to give yourself the time to relax and recuperate. You’ll be able to work on the above suggestions and really take care of your physical and mental wellbeing.
Doing all these things can help to reverse burnout and will also help build your resilience and ability to cope with stress – so you can avoid burnout in the future.
If you think you have burnout, it’s a good idea to talk to your doctor or a therapist. They'll be able to offer professional advice and guidance on steps you can take to recover and get back to your normal life.
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feel happier plan for more tips and hacks on how to feel better. Currently available on iOS only.Important: Our website provides useful information but is not a substitute for medical advice. You should always seek the advice of your doctor when making decisions about your health.