Career Trends: May 29, 2022
Curated by the Knowledge Team of ICS Career GPS
Content Credit:
- Article by Claudia Sanchez-Bustamante, published on defense.gov. Original article link.
Feelings of burnout are common — when work and other demands in your life get too intense, or if you don’t get enough time to rest, you can start feeling physically, emotionally, or mentally exhausted. The symptoms are real, yet some doctors say burnout is not a clinical disorder.
It occurs when an individual has an imbalance between responsibility and task compared to the opportunity to rest and recharge, says Air Force Lt. Col. Daniel Gross.
Burnout results in reduced stress tolerance, increased irritability, decreased job performance, or relationship stress.
Your risk of burning out increases when you don’t take time to take care of yourself, set emotional boundaries, or establish a healthy work-life balance.
Nancy Skopp, clinical psychologist and researcher
.
There are three ‘key dimensions’ of burnout
- Overwhelming exhaustion
- Feelings of cynicism and detachment from the job
- A sense of ineffectiveness and lack of accomplishment
Skopp describes burnout as an individual stress experience within a social context.
Burnout appears to be particularly common in unsupportive work environments characterised by low morale and teamwork, inefficient workplace processes, excessive workloads and negative leadership behaviour.
The good news is that burnout can be mitigated. There are numerous steps that individuals and leaders can take to reduce burnout and its impact.
It’s especially important that leaders pay attention to their teams.
Tips to minimise burnout in your team
- Monitor work environment and morale
- Cultivate workplace cohesion and a culture of teamwork
- Use rewards and incentives in a consistent and fair manner
- Provide resources to promote self-care
- Monitor workloads and ensure enough time in the workday to complete required tasks
- Reduce inefficient workplace processes
In some cases, a key step might be asking a simple question. “Ask them what they need and help them get it,” Lt. Col. Gross suggests.
Tips for individuals to prevent burnout
- Eat well — maximise nutrition, minimise processed foods
- Make time for relaxation, leisure, and fun activities
- Exercise regularly — even if it’s just 10 or 15 minutes on a busy day
- Develop good sleep habits — aim for between seven and nine hours
- Set up a wind-down ritual to facilitate rest
- Establish protective boundaries and respect your emotional needs
- Separate work life and personal life
- Cultivate a sense of humour
- Build strong working relationships with co-workers
- Recognise the signs of distress and seek help when needed
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Have you checked out yesterday’s blog yet?
Tips for Business Students to Map their Career Path
(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in the article mentioned above are those of the author(s). They do not purport to reflect the opinions or views of ICS Career GPS or its staff.)
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