I am somewhat exhausted; I wonder how a battery feels when it pours electricity into a non-conductor?” ― Arthur Conan Doyle
Introduction
Do you ever feel emotionally and physically exhausted, to a point where you are not able to get anything done, or do you find yourself lacking any motivation to be productive?. If your answer is "YES", then chances are you are suffering from burnout of some kind.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) classifies Burnout as an “Occupational phenomenon”, it is the result of continued chronic workplace stress that can cause people to feel fatigued. Researchers have found evidence of academic burnout among teenagers, which is caused due to continuous and hectic years of academic involvement. Burnout is different from momentary exhaustion or frustration from work or academics. It can be better described as crippling exhaustion that prolongs over a long period.
Causes
Whether it is professional or academic burnout, the causes are pretty similar. Imbalance in work-life dynamic, lack of social support, extreme stress, personality factors, all contribute toward feeling burnout. In today’s competitive world, everyone pushes themselves to the maximum extent to prove themselves and to stand out. Excessive pressure and stress can accumulate over time and often result in feelings of exhaustion and loss of enthusiasm.
Researchers have recognized five stages of burnout:-
The honeymoon stage- The job or task is new to people, and they are excited and full of energy to accomplish goals.
The balancing stage- Consists of recognizing the reality of your current situation. Some days are more stressful than others, and you feel drained of the enthusiasm and energy that you earlier had.
The crisis stage- Signifies the beginning of burnout, characterized by feelings of being emotionally exhausted, and loss of any will to work. Physical signs of stress become more evident during this stage, for instance, chronic headaches, fatigue, and drowsiness.
The Enmeshment stage-At this stage burnout symptoms have been integrated into the person's life, and further develop into serious mental illness.
Early signs
Now that we have understood what burnout is and its causes, let us look at some of the warning signs that you can recognize, and get help sooner rather than later.
The most evident symptoms are perpetual physical exhaustion, and loss of interest in activities that previously interested you.
Feeling unproductive and having difficulty staying motivated. You are more irritable and triggered by the smallest of inconveniences.
Constantly feeling out of place and lost, some people use other distractions such as food, clothes, or even alcohol to cope with it.
Attention span decreases and difficulty in concentrating. The self-confidence of a person often diminishes during burnout, and evident lack of creativity and enthusiasm.
One of the significant signs is that you stop deriving joy from your work and academic achievements, even the smallest of tasks take up a lot of effort, and life starts to feel monotonous.
Feelings of helplessness are also common during burnout, and they can often develop into depression or other mental illnesses.
There can also be a lot of guilt associated with not performing your best or being unproductive.
Physical manifestations of burnout include severe headaches, trouble sleeping, bowel movement issues, body aches, and more.
Preventions and Treatment
It is crucial to look for the early signs of burnout to prevent it from getting to the crisis stage. Recognize when you feel stressed out, and take out some time to de-stress and relax.
Try to pinpoint the cause of your stress and either eliminate it, or try better strategies for managing it.
Prioritize your tasks, and do not try to get everything done in a single day.
Take out a few hours from your daily schedule for engaging in activities that you enjoy and give yourself genuine breaks from work, such as on weekends.
Having good social support can also help deal with feelings of exhaustion and monotony.
As a student or working professional, it is foremost to set reasonable and achievable goals, and not burden yourself with unrealistic expectations.
The body and mind are closely connected, hence having a balanced diet is essential during times of stress, daily diet needs to include the intake of vitamins, nutrients, and minerals.
Try to engage in some variety of physical activity as it leads to endorphin secretion, which in turn will help in coping with stress and regulating mood.
Practicing mindfulness and other forms of meditation can also aid in coping with stress and calm you after a long day's work.
Conclusion
Studies show younger demographics are more at risk of experiencing burnout, as they are still figuring out the work-life balance. The more you work towards preventing burnout, the better it is for your mental health. Once you start experiencing the symptoms, it is vital to work towards healing, ignoring the signs, and performing through them will only worsen the situation. Moreover, recovery can be a slow process so be compassionate, and give yourself time to heal. You can also reach out to a mental health professional to help you in your path to recovery. Experiencing burnout can be agonizing, however it is imperative in today's mechanical world to protect the human within you and aim towards living, not just surviving.
References
https://www.vetxinternational.com/the-five-stages-of-burnout-spot-the-signs/
https://tpcjournal.nbcc.org/self-care-through-self-compassion-a-balm-for-burnout/
https://www.verywellmind.com/stress-and-burnout-symptoms-and-causes-3144516
https://springerplus.springeropen.com/articles/10.1186/2193-1801-2-677
Very well written 🙌☺️