Burnout is unpleasant to the body and mind and affects productivity. It is caused by excessive and chronic stress, which leads to emotional, physical, and mental exhaustion. Psychologist Herbert Freudenberger coined the term in the 1970s, and it is particularly relevant in today’s fast-paced world. Burnout is common today, as many people overwork themselves to survive economic realities. However, the stress eventually accumulates, making them lose interest and motivation.

Symptoms of Burnout

Burnout affects every area of your life. It often stems from work but can also result from personal and other external stressors. The World Health Organization (WHO) classified it as an occupational hazard resulting from prolonged and excessive workplace stress in 2019. Burnout makes your energy dwindle, which reduces your productivity. This can make you cynical and take on a bleak outlook. If you always feel helpless, hopeless, and unappreciated, you may be suffering from burnout.

Symptoms of burnout include constant fatigue, frequent sickness and diseases, and loss of appetite and sleep. Burnout can also make you withdraw from responsibilities, isolate yourself, and overconsume food, drugs, or alcohol. Additionally, it can make you feel like a failure or unaccomplished, aggressive, unmotivated, and unsatisfied. You may also be burned out if you notice that you have become doubtful of yourself or feel alone.

Recovery and Coping Strategies from Burnout

Build Connections

It may seem contradictory to be told to reach out to people when burned out since burnout can make you detach. However, one effective way to eliminate burnout is to build connections with loved ones. A listening ear can do wonders for you. You can also cultivate relationships with your co-workers. Engage them in conversation and be sociable. This way, you can break the monotony of work and relieve stress.

You can also join clubs and community events and attend religious or other social activities. This will get you out of the house and allow you to bond with your friends and make new ones. Finally, cut off all negativity around you. Negative people will further stress you out and worsen your burnout.

Change Your Attitude to Work

You can get so engrossed in work that you neglect your mental, physical, and emotional well-being. However, this is never good and will burn you out. Therefore, changing your attitude to work is an important step in recovering from burnout. You need to realize that work will always continue with or without you. Therefore, you should prioritize your well-being. Take time off if you need to for recovery. You can also try to find joy in what you do. This can give you some semblance of control and make work meaningful.

Maintain a Balance

Burnout is usually a sign that you must evaluate your life and make changes. You are liable to burnout quickly if you can’t say no or have no work-life balance. To recover from burnout, you must set boundaries and stop over-exerting yourself. Create time for your family away from work and technology. You should also learn to relax and set aside time for what you enjoy. Read a book, garden, and talk face-to-face, among other things, to relieve stress. Finally, get enough sleep and relaxation time so your body can recover.

Exercise and Change Your Diet

Exercise can help you recover from burnout. You may feel reluctant to do it, but exercise can improve your mood. Walking, swimming, or dancing can do wonders for how you feel. You should also change your diet, as a good diet can lift your spirits. Food not only fills your belly, but it also impacts your energy and mood. Avoid refined carbs that can crash your energy. Also, avoid caffeine, alcohol, nicotine, unhealthy fats, and highly processed foods. Instead, take more foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids like fish.

Burnout can have severe consequences on your health. It can impact your family and other relationships, work, and health. Therefore, you must tackle and eliminate it quickly before it leads to more serious problems. The strategies in this article will help you cope and recover from burnout.

#Clique, have you ever experienced burnout? What steps did you take to recover from it? Let us know in the comments.