What Is Work Burnout and How you can beat it ?

 Job burnout is a special type of work-related stress — a state of physical or emotional exhaustion that also involves a sense of reduced accomplishment and loss of personal identity. "Burnout" isn't a medical diagnosis. Some experts think that other conditions, such as depression, are behind burnout. 

Employers want to help avoid burnout because it can lead to unhappy, unproductive employees. It may even lead to employees suddenly leaving the company because they don’t know what else to do to combat their burnout. 

Employees with high stress at work also reported more emotional exhaustion and physical tiredness. All these signs point to one thing — burnout. 

Burnout is a type of mental or physical exhaustion caused by:

-Work-related stress

-A lack of motivation

-Feelings of emptiness or hopelessness

-Increased mental fatigue

Burnout may impact physical or mental health if it goes unacknowledged. LinkedIn News spoke with Dr. Rene' Stokes, adult/child psychiatrist and founder of ChildPsychonCall, and psychiatrist about mental health in the workplace. 

“The most important first step is to make the time to check in regularly with yourself to assess for consistent changes in mood, coping, appetite, sleep, ability to enjoy things or other indicators of enduring psychiatric illness,” Stokes said.

At work, people may become so busy with tasks that they don’t take time to care for themselves. This may lead to work burnout after a prolonged and excessive amount of stress related to work tasks. 

Although suffering from work burnout can be challenging, employees can recover once they recognize the signs themselves. 

Consider which factors contribute to the feeling of burnout and try to focus on those areas first. When unsure about the causes, seek support from trusted management, colleagues or human resources personnel. Examine all the options available and seek support before making any decisions. 

There are also some steps to take as one begins this recovery and creates an ideal work environment. As Adrienne Tom, an executive resume writer and job search strategist, says, “Small steps are often easier to achieve. They also help move you towards a goal with less overwhelm. When steps get hard, think about ways you can further break them down.”

Increased stress for extended periods of time will eventually lead to burnout. Every person is different, so it is important to prioritize your own needs, even if they’re different from others’.

Pay attention to the body and mind. Consider how you feel before, during and after working hours. Always give yourself the attention necessary to relax and recharge before taking on additional tasks.