RECOGNISE AND OVERCOME BURNOUT

Jacinda Ardern has resigned as prime minister of New Zealand, citing burnout and saying that she ‘no longer has enough in the tank’ to do the job. Here’s what to do if you’re feeling overwhelmed

Nearly three out of five workers say they are negatively affected by work stress, leaving them feeling disinterested in activities they used to enjoy, coupled with feelings of lethargy and low mood. This is burnout, a state of physical and emotional exhaustion. It can occur when you experience long-term stress in your job, or when you have worked in a physically or emotionally draining role for a long time, and it isn’t something that magically resolves itself. When you’re burnt out, your problems will feel overwhelming, and finding the energy to care about your needs may feel out of reach. Fortunately, there are some effective strategies to help. The three R approach is really useful. First recognise that you’re feeling totally spent, energy-wise, then reverse the impact by learning some stress management techniques, and finally work on your resilience, so that you know how to spot future warning signs. Telling your employer can help as you may need to reduce your workload, delegate tasks to other colleagues, and become more disciplined with your work schedule. Socialising is very important, so make time for your bestie, and hang out with your family to plug yourself in to lots of positive emotions. Talking about your feelings with someone you trust is the fastest way to calm the nervous system, so make use of those relationships where venting is embraced – you need to be around energetic, positive people who will raise you up. Taking a few weeks off work to recharge your batteries won’t be enough to resolve burnout, so spend time planning what needs to change so that you can make a realistic plan that will reduce your stress in the long term.