It is not surprising that people would feel burned out in this current environment. Americans are ... [+]
More American workers are experiencing burnout than at the height of the Covid-19 pandemic. Nearly six out of 10 labor participants in the United States self-reported feeling at least moderate levels of burnout, according to a recent Aflac report on workplace trends and attitudes.
It is not surprising that people would feel burned out in this current environment. Americans have to contend with high inflation, rising costs, a wave of layoff announcements and fear of holding onto their jobs.
Respondents who suffer from high levels of burnout reported lower job satisfaction, lower confidence that their companies care about them, a poor sense of work-life balance and a higher likelihood of seeking new employment in the next year, according to the survey.
Forty-six percent of workers indicated that their mental health has negatively impacted their product output, while 51% of employers surveyed reported their companies had been affected by their employees’ deteriorating mental health.
What Are The Signs?
Common symptoms of burnout include physical, emotional and mental exhaustion, reduced productivity, feeling cynical or detached from work and a lack of motivation.
Other signs may include experiencing stress-related symptoms, such as headaches or chronic pain, feeling overwhelmed, unhappy or dissatisfied at work and developing depression or anxiety related to your job. Burnout can also lead to forgetfulness, difficulty concentrating and diminished pride in your career.
Ask yourself the following questions. If your responses are overwhelmingly affirmative, then you may be experiencing burnout.
- Do you have trouble falling asleep, or do you sleep too much?
- Is it challenging to get out of bed each morning?
- Do you find yourself taking more days off from work?
- Do you notice frequent headaches and physical ailments?
- Are you self-medicating with food, drugs or alcohol?
- Are you easily irritated by the slightest inconvenience? Have you become impatient and intolerant of co-workers and others you interact with?
- Do you have trouble concentrating?
- Has your drive, energy and motivation plummeted?
- Are you unable to accomplish your tasks and responsibilities?
- Have you withdrawn from social engagements, family, friends and co-workers?
- Is there a constant overwhelming feeling of doom?
How To Fight Back Against Burnout
Recognizing the warning signs of burnout and seeking help early to avoid further negative health effects is crucial. Start working on a plan to turn things around. Your goal is to regroup, rebuild and create a more fulfilling, meaningful and rewarding career and life.
To fight back against burnout, you will need to take actions to address it, such as identifying its causes, reframing your mindset, reevaluating priorities, performing acts of self-care and seeking help.
To manage stress, establish boundaries and limit the time you give to others. Building resilience to stress by prioritizing good sleep habits, nutrition, exercise, social connection and practices that replenish your physical and emotional energy can help prevent burnout.
Reframing Your Mindset
One way to reframe your mindset and minimize burnout is to change the way you think about work. This can involve focusing on the positive aspects of your job, such as the impact you are making or the skills you are developing, rather than just the stress and demands of the job.
It can also involve setting realistic expectations for yourself and your work, and learning to say no to tasks that are not essential or that you do not have the capacity to take on.
Speak with your boss and tell them what's going on. Collaborate on a plan to improve your work-life. It could include asking for new or different responsibilities or a move within the organization. If that doesn’t work out, look for new and exciting opportunities outside your company.
Consider a career pivot, reinvent yourself, go back to school to learn something new and change your career trajectory. Seek out what will make you happy, motivated and revitalized.
