People’s lifestyles and jobs are growing busier in the modern world, which is leading to an increase in the amount of burnout that is occurring to people. World Health Organisation (WHO) has chosen to expand its definition of the condition in its 11th revision of the International Classification of Diseases (ICD). Burnout is now officially an ‘occupational phenomenon’. They state that the symptoms of burnout include “feelings of energy depletion or exhaustion; increased mental distance from one’s job, or feelings of negativism or cynicism related to one’s job; and reduced professional efficacy.”
A lot of people are now returning to offices as we, hopefully, draw near the end of the Covid-19 pandemic. But working from home and the impending fear of returning to the workplace has been a catalyst for people to experience workplace burnout whether it be from working extra hours while working from home, lack of social support, dysfunctional workplace dynamics, unclear expectations or a lack of control. 77% of professionals and 84% of millennials have experienced burnout at their current job and that reports of burnout have increased among all generations during the Coivd-19 pandemic
“The future of work is here, and that means we need to test some new rules out,” – Jennifer Moss, author of the new book, “The Burnout Epidemic: The Rise of Chronic Stress and How We Can Fix It,”.
Burnout is often confused with stress when in reality they are not the same, burnout is a result of chronic stress; and with this comes its own set of health issues.
Issues such as:
- Fatigue
- Insomnia
- Sadness, anger or irritability
- Alcohol or substance misuse
- Heart disease
- High blood pressure
- Type 2 diabetes
- Vulnerability to illnesses
How Can You Diagnose Workplace Burnout?
If you’re wondering whether or not you’re beginning to burn out, ask yourself the following questions:
- Are you having more bad days than good days at work?
- Do you find yourself unusually low or irritable at the end of the weekend?
- Do you have stomach aches, digestive upset, or pains in your back or neck?
- Are you having headaches more frequently than usual?
- Have your sleep habits changed?
- Have you been having trouble focusing on work or understanding what is expected of you?
- Are you finding yourself only able to work efficiently at the last minute or against a deadline?
- Are you avoiding work, conversations with colleagues, or check-ins with your manager?
- Do you fantasize about quitting your job almost constantly?
- Are you too exhausted to do anything fun or interesting when you’re not at work?
If you answered yes to most of these questions, you’re likely experiencing job burnout.
Thankfully burnout is now something that people are aware of and understand that it is an issue, which has led to solutions and prevention methods for burnout being developed. Over at Study Medicine Europe, they have created an infographic entitled “Burnout In The Workplace” which covers the causes, effects, solutions of workplace burnout and shows how employers have reacted to burnout in their companies.
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