Signs and Causes of Burnout in the Workplace

What exactly is workplace burnout? Have you ever felt like you were in a state of mental, emotional, and physical exhaustion? These could be the symptoms of workplace burnout.  It results from prolonged or excessive stress, which is a growing concern in today’s workplaces. Let’s look at some of the contributing factors and how to identify the early signs of workplace burnout.  We’ll also look at why recognizing this is so important for your well-being!  

Burnout Indicators

 One significant indicator of burnout is a gradual loss of motivation and engagement. You may start to feel disconnected from your work and notice that you’re having difficulty focusing on tasks that you might even have once enjoyed. This lack of enthusiasm usually manifests in the form of reduced productivity, decreased creativity, and a noticeable overall decline in performance.  

 Chronic fatigue is another telltale sign of burnout. As exhaustion sets in, you might have difficulty sleeping and feeling drained even after rest. You might find yourself needing more caffeine or other stimulants just to get through the day. This constant state of exhaustion not only hampers work performance but also spills over into your personal life, which makes even leisure activities less fun. This fatigue can also interfere with personal relationships. 

 You might notice that you are becoming more cynical or irritable. This, too, can signal workplace burnout. Pay attention to your moods in general and notice if you are becoming increasingly negative, skeptical, or pessimistic. Have you developed a cynical attitude towards your job and/or coworkers? Heightened stress levels can also lead to shorter tempers and frequent mood swings, further straining workplace dynamics. 

 If you notice these symptoms, start paying attention to what may be causing these.  There are several factors can contribute to burnout in the workplace. For example, a heavy workload or unrealistic expectations can cause excessive stress, pushing you beyond your limits and making you more susceptible to burnout.  

Work-Life Imbalance

 Work-life imbalance is another significant contributing factor. When your job demands begin to encroach on your personal time, you might very well begin to feel resentment.  You might also have a hard time getting adequate rest and rejuvenation. 

 The absence of support and recognition usually leads to feelings of isolation and devaluation. When you don’t have proper emotional and practical support or appreciation for your efforts, you begin to feel undervalued and lose your sense of purpose in the workplace. 

 Even more than the workload, or not feeling supported or appreciated, the most significant contributor to workplace burnout is a toxic environment.  As with any toxic environment, when you are surrounded by manipulation, confusion, passive aggressiveness, poor communication, gaslighting, or unhealthy office politics, you become exacerbated, and your stress levels sky-rocket to jeopardize your mental well-being. 

 Working in a toxic environment can lead to feelings of chronic stress, exhaustion, and cynicism – the hallmarks of burnout. Although changing the organizational culture is not within your control, there are other strategies you can sometimes use to safeguard your well-being. These strategies focus on self-care, boundary-setting, and resilience-building.  

Strategies to Improve Well-Being at Work

 First, establish clear boundaries between your professional and personal life by setting limits on the time and energy you dedicate to work-related tasks. Prioritize your physical and emotional well-being by allocating time for friends, family, hobbies, relaxation, fun, and self-reflection. 

Have a Strong Support System

 Cultivate a strong support network within and outside of the workplace. Seek out colleagues who share your values and foster positive relationships with them. Sometimes that is not always possible, depending on the work culture, so it is important to also maintain connections with friends, family members, or mentors who can provide validation for your feelings, encouragement and advice. 

Practice Mindfulness and Stress-Reduction Techniques

 Another thing you can do is practice mindfulness and stress-reduction techniques, such as meditation, deep breathing exercises, or yoga. These practices can alleviate stress and foster a sense of calm to help you remain grounded and focused on the present moment. 

Seek Professional Support

 If burnout symptoms persist or worsen, consider seeking professional support. A therapist or counselor can offer valuable insight and coping strategies to help you navigate the complexities of a toxic workplace. 

 In cases where the toxicity of the work environment becomes unmanageable, it could be necessary to devise an exit strategy. You might want to start gearing up for your next position. Update your resume, explore job opportunities, and set specific goals to facilitate a smooth transition. 

 Building resilience is an important part of getting through workplace burnout. Engage in activities that promote self-growth, such as acquiring new skills, attending professional development workshops, or reading self-improvement books. These pursuits can enhance your adaptability and self-confidence, better equipping you to face workplace challenges. 

 Remember even in the most challenging environments, seek out positive aspects that can help counteract the negatives. Reflect on any positive relationships, personal growth opportunities, or specific tasks that bring you fulfillment and satisfaction.  

 Recognize the signs of burnout and understand the contributing factors so that you can take the first steps in addressing this prevalent issue. If you are an employer, the last thing you want is for your valuable employees to feel burnt out, resentful, unsupported, exhausted and/or confused.  By fostering a supportive work environment, promoting a healthy work-life balance, and encouraging open communication, your employees will more likely be productive and contribute to the health of the team.  

 If you are an employee who might be suffering from burnout, you can play a central role in mitigating workplace burnout and nurturing your own overall well-being by having healthy boundaries and keeping communication clear and concise.  Let your employers know if you are feeling any of these symptoms, or if your work/life balance is off.  If you fear talking to your employer about this, let that be your first red flag. 

The preceding article was solely written by the author named above. Any views and opinions expressed are not necessarily shared by GoodTherapy.org. Questions or concerns about the preceding article can be directed to the author or posted as a comment below.