What then is burnout? Herbert Freudenberger and other researchers took up this term in the mid-1970s, and it came to describe a state of exhaustion resulting from involvement with people in emotionally demanding situations. Also, physical or emotional exhaustion, especially as a result of long-term stress or dissipation.
Although burnout has no precise medical definition, victims are identified by symptoms such as feeling so tied, lack of enthusiasm, helplessness, hopelessness, and malaise. The victim feels extremely tired and gets irritated over minor incidents. Nothing will ignite him to action. Everything seems overwhelming, and he may desperately seek help from whoever comes his way. All efforts in the workplace and at home may seem pointless. A sense of hopelessness prevails. If you have these symptoms coupled with malaise, a lack of enjoyment in anything, then you could well be experiencing burnout.
SYMPTOMS OF BORNOUT:
Lowered resistance to illness, Increased dissatisfaction and pessimism, Depleted energy reserves, Increased absenteeism and inefficiency at work.
Burnout Victims, causes and possible solution
Burnout can affect work and family life. I believe everybody will like to avoid it. But how? To find out, let us first see who are prone to burn out and why.
This condition is debilitating because it has the power to weaken, even devastate, otherwise healthy, energetic, and competent individuals. Its primary cause is unrelieved stress, that which goes on daily, weekly, monthly and yearly.
See yourself as an office worker with a familyor maybe you are one. Work is piled up on your desk. The phone rings consistently with customers demands that are next to impossible to meet. Your supervisor is displeased that you are not meeting the quota. Your son is in trouble at school. The teacher wants to see you immediately. Your pleas for help to your spouse are met with indifference. When the situation seems out of hand, stress becomes distress, paving the way for burnout.
Dr. Yutaka Ono, a director at Keio University School of Medicine, recommends three Cs for coping with burnout. He explains: The three Cs stand for control, communication, and cognition.
In order to overcome feelings of helplessness, you must be able to feel you are in control of your feelings and behavior. When frustration daily dominates your emotions and crushes your capacity to solve problems, it is easy to believe things are out of your hands. However, do not just sit back and dwell on troublesome thoughts. Try to solve your problem step-by-step. Do not procrastinate, try to reduce irritations that result in defeatist feelings. Just by initiating positive actions, Clinging to standards that are too high and constantly feeling you are not measuring up to them is a sure way to burn out.
One should try to be aware of his limitations or to place a moderate estimate on ones abilities. This may mean saying no to unreasonable demands at the workplace and always seek for help when appropriate.
I hope this article help fellow steemians who are experiencing stress and burnout. More help are coming and you are free to drop your comment for further help.
@steemit4dan