Burnout and mental health

How Burnout Affects Mental Health 
Burnout is more than work-related stress, it can make us feel helpless, detached,
unmotivated, and unsatisfied. The constant demands of work take a toll, leaving us overwhelmed and emotionally drained. Burning out is a serious phenomenon that affects our mental and physical health. Suffice it to say that one's level of burnout will have a direct impact on their quality of life. Because of this, it is important to understand how to prevent and overcome burnout.

While burnout leads to a general sense of exhaustion and excessive fatigue, many also experience mental health issues in addition to their physical ailments. Sufferers from burnout may display signs of anxiety, depression, or other mental disorders. And you’re probably not alone in feeling stressed at work, according to the APA’S 2021 Work and Well-being survey, 71% of workers reported work-related stress within the past month.  

According to Hadley, C. (2022), there are three signs of burnout. 

• Energy Depletion and Exhaustion:

Different from the tiredness we experience from an average workday, this energy depletion and exhaustion doesn’t go away, and feels like a weight on your shoulder’s that’s weighing you done physically and mentally.  

• Depersonalization and Cynicism
  

Burnout is associated with feeling distant and detached from our job and sometimes becoming cynical about it. What used to inspire you about your job doesn’t have the same effect on you. 

• Reduced efficiency. 

The third part of burnout is decreased productivity at work. For example, you used to be able to complete work tasks quickly, but now you feel yourself falling short. It is important to rejuvenate yourself after burnout.

Here are a few ways to cope with burnout:

• Prioritize self-care. Prioritizing sleep hygiene, exercise, nutrition, and social connection is essential to replenish your physical and emotional well-being. 
• Reduce exposure to job stressors. It might be a good idea to have a conversation with your colleagues, clients, and family members to discuss boundaries to avoid triggering unhealthy stress. 
• Seek out connections. The best way to combat burnout is to seek out relationships that can feed your personal and professional growth. Finding mentors, coaches or volunteering are great ways to find break out of the negative cycle of burnout . 

Overall, burnout should not be taken lightly, it’s a serious condition that can negatively affect your mental and physical health if not managed properly.

Taking time to prioritize self-care, reducing stressors, and finding meaningful connections are the best ways to combat the negative psychological effects of burnout. At times, burnout can feel unsurmountable. By better understanding the symptoms and causes of burnout, you can implement these strategies to prevent feeling overwhelmed. While our experiences may be exhausting during the process, they can serve as a learning experience to help you lead sustainable career and a happier life.


​References:
American Psychological Association. (n.d.). Work and well-being 2021 survey report. American
Psychological Association. Retrieved January 18, 2023, from
https://www.apa.org/pubs/reports/work-well-being/compounding-pressure-2021
Hadley, C. N. (2022, April 14). Work burnout signs: What to look for and what to do about it.
Boston University. Retrieved January 18, 2023, from
https://www.bu.edu/articles/2022/work-burnout-signs-symptoms/
Valcour, M. (2021, August 27). 4 steps to beating Burnout. Harvard Business Review. Retrieved
January 18, 2023, from https://hbr.org/2016/11/beating-burnout

Author - Ariana Hernandez

Ariana is a student counselor under the supervision of Aimee Rhodes, LPC-S. Ariana enjoys working wth individuals in person and via telehealth. She is a student at Sul Ross State University. We are glad to have her on our team.