Burnout has been defined as, “an extreme state of psychological pain.” “It’s a response to facing prolonged, chronic stressors that go beyond your ability or available resources to overcome.” Professor Michael Leiter of Acadia University in Nova Scotia states that burnout has three components – “overwhelming exhaustion, feelings of cynicism, and a sense of discouragement.”
If this describes you, then you need to be aware of some of the outcomes of continuing to operate at a burnout level. It can lead to serious health problems, such as: disrupted sleep patterns; digestion issues; and greater risk for depression, heart problems, weight gain, and diabetes.
Many clients with whom I have met over the last couple of years, have been experiencing extreme stress – the pandemic, working more hours due to worker shortages, increased stress at home, and so on. But we don’t have to stay in this burnout mode. There are some steps we can take to avoid becoming unhinged.
- Find purpose and meaning in your work. Individuals who feel as though their work has no meaning or greater value, burnout more quickly than those who can find even the smallest contribution that they are making to the big picture.
- Find a hobby that you enjoy. Those who have done so have frequently discovered that a hobby can actually lead to healthier engagement at work.
- Take care of yourself. I met with a client this morning who is a loving wife, mother, and grandmother. She loves to serve and take care of her family. But she does so to a level that is detrimental to her own wellbeing. She is having to learn to carve out time for herself because she needs care too.
- Finally, remember that you are not alone in your stress and struggles. Peter reminds us to “Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you.” I Peter 5:7