Physical and Mental Exhaustion: Avoiding Burnout

It’s that time of year. For many of us; whether you are in an office, clinic or job hunting; it’s crunch time. The demand to get more done in less time is causing more pressure than we'd like or need

However overworking yourself can lead to both physical and mental exhaustion.  This is known as a “burnout”.  While work demands can vary in their degrees of stress, when placed under immense pressure such experiences leading to a burnout can have longer term impacts on your work productivity and health.

It goes without saying that burnouts should be avoided.  Not only do they impact yourself, but also those around you.  If you or someone you know is heading towards a burnout, here are some ways to help prevent it:

·      Spot the early warning signs:  These may include such signs as constant worrying over work, difficulty sleeping, panic attacks, migraines and backaches, etc.  While it is often difficult for people to notice symptoms themselves, pay attention to other people's concerns or questions about your general tiredness or changes in mood.

·       Reduce the symptoms of stress:  This could mean taking time off work to relax and refresh.  Engage in some physical activities, whether it be the gym or playing a sport you enjoy. Have a think about your immediate environment. Are you comfortable?

·      Talk to your boss:  Discuss your concerns with your boss in a calm and professional manner.  Your boss would rather know sooner than later so appropriate actions can take place, and it is within their best interests to make sure things can get done in a way that isn’t hindering future productivity and job satisfaction.  Another trusted manager or the HR department could also help and advise you on how to best handle the situation.

·      Seek support:  Some organisations have employee assistance and support programmes to provide confidential services to those in need. If you’re concerned, it’s always best to talk to a professional to be sure things are ok than to not speak up and let things get worse.

·      There are always options:  If your employer is unwilling or unable to help you or listen to different ideas of working things out, consider other roles in the organisation which might suit you better.  Otherwise, it may be time to seek a more suitable role elsewhere.

You will soon start to feel better once you take action towards changing your work situation.  All jobs have their ups and downs, but it is better to work in an environment you enjoy rather than one that causes you to stress out to the point of physical and mental exhaustion.  When your physical and mental well being is at stake it’s just not worth it!