MENTAL HEALTH SERIES

Burnout is a phenomenon that is prevalent across the globe with one study indicating that approximately 70% of workers in seven countries experienced burnout.

Furthermore, another study by Gallup; a global analytics company, revealed that “a third of all workers always or very often feel burned-out at work.” These glaring statistics clearly highlights that burnout is a significant problem and we will continue last week’s discussion, this time around addressing how to deal with burnout.

Dealing with burnout, starts first by acknowledging that we have a problem.

We all must be aware of signs and/or symptoms of burnout that we previously highlighted. By being aware of these symptoms, can go a long way in dealing with the stressors that a risk to burnout thus being able to prevent future episodes.

Having recognised the signs and symptoms, it calls for them to be managed. As suggested by the Dalai Lama, “if you feel demoralised and exhausted, it is best, for the sake of everyone, to withdraw and restore yourself.”

One of the ways to restoration may be to socialise with fellow colleagues. Toxic relationships should be avoided in order to nip burnout in the bud.

In the workplace, work factors facilitate burnout leading to reduction in productivity. It therefore calls for reframing the work factors. The work should be made more challenging and stimulating for employees. Employees should be given a leeway to be innovative and avoid monotonous job engagements. Job expectations should be made clear to employees; avoiding a situation where one will be trying to attain unclear role expectations.

Most often than not, people neglect themselves which is a factor that can lead to burnout.

Practising self-love is therefore a pinnacle that can be used to prevent burnout. Exercise, as a self-love initiative, will clearly help in ensuring that burn-out is prevented.

Regular physical activity like running and jogging has been strongly linked to positive mental health. These type of exercises have been documented to promote recovery from burnout especially on cognitive and neurological outcomes.