Work Burnout is Real: Here’s How to Stay Resilient and Keep the Spark Alive

Today we are celebrating World Mental Health Day (October 10). This year’s theme is workplace mental health, set by the World Federation of Mental Health.

In this article, we want to talk about occupational burnout and the importance of promoting mental wellbeing in the workplace, especially in high-stress work environments.

What is Burnout?

According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), occupational burnout is described as; “a syndrome conceptualised as resulting from chronic workplace stress that has not been successfully managed.” This is a bit of a mouthful, so let’s break it down.

There are three key elements to burnout:

• feelings of energy depletion or exhaustion
• increased mental distance from one’s job, or feelings of negativism or cynicism related to one's job
• reduced professional efficacy

Burnout can come from many different sources, and it is important to understand the origins of your own burnout. Knowing the cause will help you take appropriate steps to deal with the problem, whether it be feeling uninspired or directionless at work, a toxic team environment, or continuous levels of unsustainable pressure.

Burnout is distinct from regular stress because while stress leaves us feeling overwhelmed and anxious, burnout tends to make us feel depleted, or apathetic. Especially in our current age of remote working, where boundaries between work and personal life are constantly shifting, it is important to identify and address burnout before it becomes an issue.

The Impact of Burnout on Individuals and Organisations

Burnout can have severe consequences for both individuals and organisations, no matter what type of symptoms you are experiencing.

For individuals, burnout can lead to:

• Physical and mental health problems: This includes increased risk of depression, anxiety, and other mental health issues.
• Decreased productivity: Burnout can lead to reduced motivation, decreased job satisfaction, and lower productivity.
• Increased absenteeism and turnover: Employees experiencing burnout may be more likely to take sick leave or leave the organisation altogether.

For organisations, burnout can result in:

• Increased costs: High turnover rates, decreased productivity, and the need for additional resources to address employee instability can increase costs for organisations.
• Damage to reputation: Burnout can damage an organisation’s reputation as an employer of choice, making it difficult to attract and retain top talent.
• Decreased innovation: Burnout can stifle creativity and innovation, as employees may be too disengaged or exhausted to contribute their best ideas.

Burnout is highly pervasive if left unchecked. It can affect anyone at any time, but it’s especially prevalent for those individuals and organisations in fast-paced, mentally demanding sectors.

Preventing and Addressing Burnout

To combat burnout, organisations must prioritise the wellbeing of their employees. Here are some strategies that can help:

• Create a supportive work environment: Fostering a culture that promotes work-life balance, encourages open communication, and provides individuals with opportunities to be seen and heard can ensure employees feel valued and appreciated.
• Provide the right systems and tools to help work smarter and avoid overload: By using tools like Kinabase, organisations can make use of the latest software to keep their teams organised; customisable workflows and better access to information makes it easier to stay focused on what’s important. Having an organised digital workspace can help employees avoid unnecessary stress at work.
• Have realistic expectations: Avoid setting unrealistic deadlines or performance goals that can contribute to stress and burnout, ultimately stifling success.
• Promote employee wellbeing: Offering wellness programs, mental health support, and flexible work arrangements can vastly improve job satisfaction and decrease the chances of your employees suffering from burnout.
• Encourage time off: Ensuring employees take regular breaks and vacations to reset and recharge is important for maintaining a productive work-life balance.

If you wish to assess the levels of burnout within your organisation, the Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI) is a good place to look. The MBI was the first scientifically developed measure of the three dimensions of burnout (depletion/exhaustion, negativism/cynicism, professional efficacy) and is globally used for research and organisational change.

Tips for YOU to stay mentally well and prevent burnout:

• Prioritise sleep: Aim for 7-9 hours of quality sleep each night.
• Healthy diet: Eat nutritious, whole foods and stay hydrated.
• Regular exercise: Go outside, take a walk, and make sure you are moving your body regularly. Physical activity can help reduce stress and improve your mood.
• Mindfulness and relaxation techniques: Practice meditation, deep breathing, or yoga to manage stress. There are lots of apps and resources to help you practice being more mindful.
• Set boundaries: Establish clear boundaries between work and personal life and disconnect when necessary.
• Time management: Use effective time management techniques to prioritise tasks and avoid feeling overwhelmed at work.
• Delegate tasks: Where appropriate, delegate tasks to others and distribute tasks evenly.
• Ask for help: Don’t be afraid to ask for help if you’ve been given a task that you are unsure of.
• Limit multitasking: Focus on one thing at a time to improve productivity and reduce stress.
• Take breaks: Schedule regular breaks throughout the day to rest and recharge.
• Seek support: Talk to a friend, family member, or mental health professional if you're feeling overwhelmed.

By addressing the root causes of burnout and prioritising employee wellbeing, organisations can create a more productive, healthy work environment for their employees. Not only will this keep employees happy and healthy, but it will also ensure your business stays productive and maintains its competitive edge. Companies that can demonstrate an active role in managing burnout for their employees are able to attract and retain the top talent and best practices.

With so many advances in the social and technological world, and so many options for remote working and flexible hours, prioritising your employees' wellbeing has never been more important for the success of your business.

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Sources:

Maslach, Christina & Leiter, Michael P. (2021). How to Measure Burnout Accurately and Ethically. Harvard Business Review, March 2021. https://hbr.org/2021/03/how-to-measure-burnout-accurately-and-ethically

World Health Organisation (WHO). (2019). Burn-out an "occupational phenomenon": International Classification of Diseases. https://www.who.int/news/item/28-05-2019-burn-out-an-occupational-phenomenon-international-classification-of-diseases