What is burnout?

Symptoms of burnout

The following is a list of common symptoms associated with burnout:

• Tiredness
• Feeling overwhelmed
• Lack of enthusiasm
• Drained
• Feeling of being pulled in many different directions
• Work is no longer meaningful
• Feel unappreciated
• Work has become routine and methodical
• No longer seeing results in anything
• Isolated
• Lose perspective
• Behaviour, thoughts and emotions are more irrational

Can it be prevented?

Yes it can. Don’t wait until you have burnout to make the changes in your life.

As you go through life, make sure you are doing what you can to look after yourself. This includes getting plenty of sleep and eating a healthy diet. Look at my relaxation article for strategies you should employ in your everyday life. Me-time is a necessity, not an indulgence.

It is important to take control of your life. You should have an active role in how your life is run. Try not to become a passive observer of your own life, because from here you will feel you have lost control, which can easily lead to burnout. When things come up in your life, rather than blaming other people or your environment, look to yourself. True, there will be some situations that you cannot control. When this happens it is important that you choose how to respond to it and are aware of this choice.

Don’t feel you have to do everything. If necessary, reduce your working hours and delegate where you can. You do not have to be perfect and you should not risk your health in trying to do so. Delegation can be a temporary measure to help you through a stressful period or it can be something more permanent.

Try varying your schedule to keep you interested. Make sure that what you are doing is for yourself and not just to please other people.

Engage yourself in regular self-monitoring. Reflect on what you are doing – does it still interest you, or have you found yourself complaining about the smallest thing? Being alert early on allows you to take preventive measures, rather than sliding slowly and gradually into a state of burnout.

Make sure you have support in your life, from family, friends, colleagues or a counsellor. Draw on this support as and when you need to.