Burnout is like a sneaky energy thief. It's when you feel so tired and uninterested in things you used to enjoy. Imagine a battery that's almost empty and can't be recharged easily – that's what burnout feels like. It's not just a simple tiredness or sadness; it's a deeper problem that affects how you feel about everything.
Ever felt so tired that even a whole pot of coffee doesn't help? That's burnout for you. It's like a heavy blanket that makes everything feel harder than it should be. In this guide, we'll explore what burnout really is, why it happens, and how to wave it goodbye!
History Behind Burnout
In the 1970s, a smart person named Herbert Freudenberger found out about burnout at a busy clinic in New York. The volunteers there started feeling less caring and more detached over time. They weren't sad, but they lost their motivation and energy. This is when Freudenberger said, "Aha! This is burnout."
What is Burnout?
Burnout is like the opposite of being super focused and happy with what you're doing (that's called 'flow'). In burnout, you feel stuck, time drags, and everything feels pointless. It even changes how your brain works!
Signs and symptoms of burnout
Some may difference between people but these are general signs and symptoms that may include.
Body Signs
Headaches: Getting headaches a lot.
Stomach Trouble: Feeling queasy or having an upset stomach.
Always Tired: Feeling super tired all the time.
Getting Sick Often: Catching colds or feeling unwell more than usual.
Eating or Sleeping More or Less: Not feeling hungry or eating too much, and either sleeping a lot or hardly at all.
Feelings and Emotions
Feeling Stuck: Like you can't change anything.
Getting Really Negative: Starting to see everything in a bad light.
Doubting Yourself: Feeling like you're not doing well or questioning your skills.
Not Enjoying Things Anymore: Stuff you used to like doesn't make you happy now.
Feeling Alone or Cut Off: Not feeling connected to people or things around you.
No Energy for Anything: Not wanting to do anything, even stuff you used to like.
How You Act
Not Doing Well with Daily Stuff: Having a hard time with things you usually do easily.
Staying Away from Others: Not wanting to hang out with people or join in.
Putting Things Off: Not getting around to doing things you need to do.
Getting Snappy or Angry: Losing your cool more easily or over small things.
Using Alcohol or Other Stuff to Feel Better: Drinking more or using other things to try and deal with stress.
Main Causes of Burnout
Christina Maslach, a smart psychologist, found out that burnout has six main causes:
Feeling like you can't make your own choices (lack of control).
Not agreeing with what your company believes (values conflict).
Feeling unappreciated or underpaid (insufficient reward).
Having too much to do (work overload).
Feeling like things aren't fair (unfairness).
Not getting along with coworkers (breakdown of community).
Beating Burnout - My Top Tips
Choose the Right Kind of Hard Work: Do things that match your strengths and make you feel rewarded.
Don't Push Too Hard: Avoid working at full speed all the time. Give yourself a break!
Sometimes, Work Harder: If you're doing something you love, working harder can actually make you feel better.
Fix the Burnout Causes: Figure out what's causing your burnout and tackle those problems.
Build Your Burnout Armor: Do things that help your body and mind relax and recover, like cold showers, exercise, or even a nice massage.
Remember, to avoid burnout, make sure you're doing things you love and feel good about. It's like having a secret shield against burnout. By understanding and tackling burnout, you can feel better and do your best every day! 🌟