Burnout Causes, Symptoms and Solutions

Do you suffer from burnout? It is Monday morning and the alarm clock is ringing. You open your eyes and immediately feel a sense of dread. Another week of hell! Is this what life is all about?

Burnout is defined as job-related exhaustion, apathy and even cynicism. It can strike anyone in any profession. It is much more prevalent, however, among people who serve the public. This group includes nurses, doctors, teachers, police officers, social workers, managers, etc.

This exhaustion and apathy is caused by many factors:
· Not being in a suitable career
· Having an excessive workload
· Not having any input into your job duties
· Fear of being fired or laid off
· Too many deadlines and demands
· Lack of reward for good work
· Hostile work environment
· Feeling stuck in a job situation

It is hard to find statistics on job stress, but from observation I think it is very prevalent. Hearing someone say they like their job is very rare. I have known many people, myself included, that have experienced symptoms of burnout.

The symptoms of burnout are many as well and mimic major depression. You may be feeling:
· Hopeless
· Exhausted
· Irritable
· Out of control
· Unmotivated
· Anxious
You may also be overeating, using drugs or alcohol, crying more and taking things out on your family and friends.

If you would go to your doctor because of these symptoms, you would be given a prescription for an anti-depressant. This will only make things worse because the source of the depression is still present. And, you will only become numb to the symptoms and not be motivated to do anything about the problem.

If you are experiencing job burnout, there are many things you can do. It is important to be proactive. That will help you regain a sense of control over your life.

If you can’t immediately quit your job, make a financial plan that will allow you to do so. Find another job. Do you feel a career change is in order? Consult a career counselor. Or, you may be able to transfer to another position within you company. It is amazing how much stress is caused by a career that doesn’t fit you.

You may need to take care of the physical symptoms first. Get extra rest and try relaxation techniques if you are totally exhausted. Don’t push yourself. Explain how you feel to your family and friends. They will surely help and understand. Use some of the stress relieving techniques on this website. Treat yourself to something that makes you happy.

At your job, spend your lunch hour doing something peaceful. I use to eat my lunch at a nearby park. Do not work overtime. You cannot be forced to work over your standard hours. Fill your office or workspace with fun, happy things. Using essential oils for stress relief or potpourri would aid relaxation. Listen to relaxing music. Think about things you like and love instead of focusing on your dreadful job.

The most important tool I had for dealing job stress was laughter. When I was faced with an impossible task or couldn’t figure out the “method to the madness”, I simply laughed about it. It was even better when shared with coworkers.

If nothing helps, talk to someone. Your human resources department may or may not be helpful. Your employer may have a counseling service. Utilize it. Don’t feel too proud to seek help. If left untreated, your burnout could lead to other health problems.

Please remember that if you can’t change a negative situation, and you can’t change your feelings toward that situation, it is time to leave the situation. Burnout is a prevalent condition. More and more people are searching to work at home, for themselves or retire early. This says so much about the current state of our workplaces.

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