What Is ‘Burnout,’ Exactly?
First, let’s start with a clear definition. “Burnout has been classified as an occupational phenomenon, which means it has more to do with someone’s working conditions than individual factors,” says Dr. Heather Hartman-Hall, PhD, a licensed psychologist and the Senior Director for Wellbeing and Mental Health at the MedStar Health Center for Wellbeing. “Burnout results from chronic overwhelming stress in your work setting.”“Work” is a wider umbrella than you may think, at least in this situation. It doesn’t inherently mean you’re getting paid for what you’re doing—case in point: caregiver burnout. “Caregiver burnout has been identified as not uncommon for family caregivers of relatives with significant needs,” she adds.One reason why it’s so important to get this clear definition is that, perhaps since burnout is a buzzy word, it’s often misunderstood as chronic fatigue, stress or depression. While those are very real and valid concerns, they're different, so the recovery may look different.“When you are looking at true burnout, it doesn’t subside quickly and easily, and can have a wide range of effects on your work and, more broadly, on your life,” she shares.Related: A Psychiatrist Says This Is the Absolute Worst Habit for Your Stress
What are burnout symptoms?
Exhaustion: Perhaps the most core feature, it’s also described as feeling depleted or emotionally overextended. Depersonalization: This is often experienced as cynicism, feeling numb, detachment and/or struggling to connect with people and the purpose of your work.Lack of personal achievement: When people feel this, they may feel less capable or doubt their abilities, feeling that even their best efforts aren’t leading to the desired outcome or impact.
“You only need to experience one of the categories significantly to be considered to be experiencing burnout,” she adds.Related: The Sneaky Symptom of Chronic Stress Many People Miss, According to Doctors
The Burnout Recovery Stages
The recovery stages a person may experience after a burnout are pretty clear-cut. In Dr. Hartman-Hall’s experience, they look like this:
Identify if you’re looking at burnout or something else. If you are experiencing burnout, figure out the drivers or causes, clarifying possible solutions that are and aren’t in your control.Try those action steps and monitor whether the burnout is resolving. Are you experiencing burnout symptoms less often or for shorter periods?Stick with what works, and try new solutions when you need to. This may or may not include leaving the role.As with many situations, the recovery time varies from person to person, and it’s important to be patient with yourself. Sometimes, Dr. Hartman-Hall sees one conversation identify the problem, clarify the cause and help the individual feel differently. Other times, the burnout is so severe that it can take weeks or months, she says, for a person to feel like themselves. “It may be difficult in some cases to recover from burnout if the drivers in your situation are unchanged,” she adds. “It can feel like you are trying to move through mud.”In short, recovering from burnout requires difficult and real—and beneficial—lifestyle changes.Up Next:
Related: This Is the No. 1 Sneaky Sign of Workplace Burnout To Look Out for Before It's Too Late, According to Career Counselors
Sources:
Dr. Heather Hartman-Hall, PhD, is a licensed psychologist.Christina Maslach: The pioneer behind burnout research, American Psychological AssociationHence then, the article about how to recover from burnout according to a psychologist was published today ( ) and is available on Parade ( Saudi Arabia ) The editorial team at PressBee has edited and verified it, and it may have been modified, fully republished, or quoted. You can read and follow the updates of this news or article from its original source.
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