Business Description
Do you feel overworked, fatigued, and resentful all the time at work? If this sounds like you, it’s likely that you are suffering from burnout. The WHO defines burnout as “a syndrome conceptualized as resulting from chronic workplace stress that has not been successfully managed”. Amongst its many telltale signs, burnout is characterized by three major dimensions; energy depletion and feelings of exhaustion; negative feelings and cynicism related to one’s job; and a decrease in professional efficiency and productivity. This final symptom of burnout often leads to unwanted thoughts of self-doubt concerning one’s capabilities, which in turn can lead to depressive symptoms like constant exhaustion, lack of energy, negative feelings and thereby begin the vicious cycle once again. While stress can be a motivator, too much stress is rarely ever a good thing. If you’ve been weighed down by professional demands and deadlines and are looking for a way out, read on for some tips and tricks to beat the burnout blues!
Taking Care of Your Body
Common side-effects of long-term burnout are a loss of appetite and insomnia. When you’re not getting enough sleep, or nutrition, your brain begins to function at only a fraction of its capabilities, and your energy levels drop. Getting enough sleep and maintaining a protein-rich, high fibre diet has been observed to boost dopamine and serotonin levels in the brain- your body’s natural ‘happy’ chemicals. Other activities that boost your body’s natural happy-hormones include regular exercise, socializing, meditation and listening to music.
Effective Communication
Another side effect of burnout is a change in personality. Those suffering from workplace burnout often appear crankier than their usual selves, and may snap at the slightest aggravation. This, of course, comes as no surprise. Devoting oneself to their career is both emotionally and mentally demanding, and comes with its own set of difficulties. If you find that something at your job is not working for you, take a moment to evaluate why exactly that is before getting caught up in the heat of the moment and saying something you can’t take back. Explain your frustrations with a cool, calm head, and you may find that you are being heard and there are others who feel the same way and are willing to help.
While these methods may work for some, burnout can also be a sign that you are simply no longer happy with your role. Speak to your bosses about what works for you, and if a solution cannot be found, it might just be time to find another job, or switch up your immediate environment. Coworking office spaces can do wonders for your productivity, and offer a simple, yet elegant solution to shake things up in your daily routine. Coworking offices introduce you to a plethora of fascinating individuals from outside your field with whom to bounce off ideas, helping you come up with innovative solutions to everyday issues.
