Recognizing and Overcoming Burnout in the Workplace
Psychology Today defines burnout as “a state of emotional, mental, and often physical exhaustion brought on by prolonged or repeated stress”.
In recent years, burnout has become widely and more commonly recognized. Commonly, burnout is recognized within work environments. When experiencing burnout, you might feel exhausted, detached, lacking motivation, creativity, or patience. Burnout begins when prolonged and high levels of stress that are not managed.
If you are feeling burnt out in the workplace, you are not alone. With the right strategies and support, you can recover and restore balance within your work life. Below are some tips to help cope with burnout and to improve your overall work life.
Acknowledge the Burnout
It’s important to recognize the signs of burnout early so that you can take action. Reflect on what might be causing your stress. Is it a heavy workload? Unrealistic expectations? Lack of support? Identifying the root cause can help you develop a strategy for addressing it.
Setting Wellness Goals for Your Work Life
Evaluate and create a more balanced work/life environment: Reflect on where balance is lacking in your daily routine and make adjustments. This could mean changing how you manage your workload or including more personal time into your schedule.
Set boundaries: Establish clear boundaries between work and personal time. This can help prevent burnout by allowing you time to recharge.
Delegate tasks when possible: If you’re feeling overwhelmed, ask for help. Delegating tasks or sharing responsibilities can ease your burden and improve team collaboration.
Use Paid Time Off (PTO): Don’t hesitate utilize your PTO for a vacation, or some extra time at home. Taking time off helps you recharge and practice self-care.
Turn off email notifications at night and on weekends: Disconnecting from work outside of office hours allows your mind to rest and reduces stress.
Managing Stress as it Arises
Practice mindfulness: Take short breaks during the day to practice mindfulness, stretch, or to take a short walk. This can help calm your mind and reduce stress in real-time.
Take physical breaks: Stretching or walking away from your workspace can help reduce mental and physical strain, leading to better focus and productivity when you return.
Prioritize self-care: Sleep, nutrition, and physical activity are essential to stress management. Make sure you are getting enough rest and nourishing your body to maintain energy and well-being during the work day.
Ask for Support
Regular one on one time with your supervisor: Open communication with your manager can help address workload issues, delegation, and work life issues. Check-ins can also provide an opportunity to discuss challenges, receive feedback, and set realistic goals.
Communicate with colleagues: Sharing your challenges with trusted coworkers or a mentor can provide a support network, whether for brainstorming solutions or simply venting in a safe space.
At Atlanta Wellness Collective, we offer speaking engagements and workshops tailored to corporate settings, addressing burnout, team cohesiveness, and strategies for fostering a healthy workplace culture. Reach out if you are interested in bringing these resources to your organization. For personal work, we also offer one-on-one counseling to help manage stress and prevent burnout.
Here at Atlanta Wellness Collective, we want to help. For support, contact us or request an appointment online.
This blog was written by Hannah Jordan.
Disclaimer: This blog is not intended to substitute professional therapeutic advice. Talk with your healthcare provider about your health concerns and before starting or stopping therapies. No content on this site, regardless of date, should ever be used as a substitute for direct professional advice from your doctor or other qualified clinician.
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