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!
