It’s normal to feel checked out or to struggle with your job from time to time, but when it turns into a daily issue, it may be something more. Burnout is a specific type of work-related stress, and an increasing number of people say they’re feeling it.
The World Health Organization defines burnout as a syndrome resulting from chronic workplace stress that has not been successfully managed, characterized by three dimensions:
To help you apply this definition to your personal situation, consider whether these statements are true:
If some or all of these statements ring true for you, you may be experiencing burnout, and various factors may have contributed, including lack of control, unclear expectations, workplace dysfunction or lack of social support.
The COVID-19 pandemic has contributed to our work stress, including in transitioning to a work-from-home environment, adjusting to the unpredictable nature of the pandemic and missing the camaraderie of day-to-day interactions with colleagues at the office.
Addressing burnout is important, because left unresolved, it may lead to physical and mental health issues.
Here are a few ideas for dealing with burnout
It may be helpful to think of burnout as a wake-up call. It’s a strong sign that something in your life is not working, so it’s important to take it seriously. Use it as an opportunity to reflect, rest and, perhaps, create a new plan for professional happiness.
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