What is Burnout?
Burnout occurs when we are in a state of chronic stress for a significant amount of time. It’s a state of diminished functioning and mood. Though burnout doesn’t happen suddenly, we often miss the sign of it until suddenly we just don’t feel like things can continue as they are.
Some of the most common signs of burnout are:
physical and emotional exhaustion
Feeling tired all the time
Not wanting to go back to the situation
Hard time concentrating or forgetfulness
Muscle tension, stomach aches, dizziness, headaches
Loss of appetite
Other symptoms of anxiety or depression
Irritation or increased anger
Tearfulness
cynicism and detachment
Isolation
Every day feels like a bad day
Fear of breaking down in front of people
Loss of joy or engagement
Disconnecting from the environment either in the mind or through not showing up.
Spiritual disengagement or pulling away from serving
feelings of ineffectiveness and lack of accomplishment
Feelings of hopelessness
Lack of motivation of productivity.
Some factors leading to burnout:
Unreasonable time pressure
Traumatic elements of a job (medical field, first responders, working with at-risk populations, journalists)
Lack of communication or support from your instructor, manager, or family
Unjust or unethical treatment
Other life circumstances that impact your emotional health
Lack of emotional support from those around you
Unacknowledged challenges within your role
Minimizing the emotional impact of the work you do
We can experience burnout in most areas of our lives; parenthood, ministry, school, and career. Burnout can occur at any stage in our experience and is not reserved for only some people. Burnout is not permanent and counseling can help you come back to a more balanced state. In counseling, you will explore the aspects that led to your current state of functioning, learn coping skills, set boundaries, and move toward a healthier sense of identity and purpose.