Most of us have experienced burnout at some point in our lives. Burnout can leave us feeling exhausted, overwhelmed, and hopeless, whether it’s from work, school, or even a personal relationship. But what exactly is burnout? And how can we prevent it?

Burnout is caused by prolonged stress or a sense of overload. When we feel like we’re constantly running on empty, it’s hard to find the motivation to keep going. We may start to feel like our efforts are never good enough, leading to inadequacy and despair. If left unchecked, burnout can have severe consequences for our physical and mental health. So it’s essential to recognize the signs of burnout so that we can take steps to prevent it.

It’s no secret that we’re feeling a little burnt out lately. It’s easy to understand why burnout has become such a hot topic, from the never-ending stream of bad news to the constant stress of just trying to keep up with our day-to-day responsibilities. And while it’s important to acknowledge the genuine toll that burnout can take on our mental and physical health, it’s also important to remember that we’re not powerless in this increasingly common problem. We can all take steps to prevent burnout before it occurs and strategies we can use to recover if we find ourselves in its grip. So let’s take a closer look at burnout: what it is, what causes it.

Burnout has become a popular term in recent years as more and more people struggle to cope with the demands of modern life. When someone is burnout, they may feel exhausted, both physically and emotionally. They may also find it difficult to concentrate or motivate themselves. Burnout can have a significant impact on both work and personal life. In some cases, burnout may even lead to depression, which is another reason we all need to be aware of this subject.

While it is essential to take time for rest and relaxation, burnout often goes deeper than that. In many cases, burnout is caused by an imbalance between the demands placed on someone and their ability to cope with those demands. It is often caused by an imbalance between the orders placed on someone and their ability to meet those demands. This can be due to several factors, such as unrealistic expectations, a lack of support, or a lack of control over one’s work. For example, burnout can lead to several adverse outcomes, including reduced productivity, absenteeism, and turnover.

While burnout is often viewed as a personal failing, several factors can contribute. One of these is feeling like you have lost control over your work situation. This can happen when you feel like you’re constantly being asked to do more with less or when your working systems are dysfunctional and political. It can also occur when you’re being gaslit by your boss or colleagues or feel like you cannot perform the tasks you were hired for. If any of these factors are present in your work life, it’s essential to be aware of them, as they can increase your risk for burnout.

Many people who experience burnout feel like they are somehow failing. After all, burnout is often seen as a sign that someone cannot cope with stress. However, the reality is that burnout is a genuine phenomenon that can affect anyone, even those who consider themselves to be highly resilient. The critical thing to remember is that burnout is not a sign of weakness. Instead, it is a sign that someone has been under immense stress for an extended period. If you are currently experiencing burnout, it is essential to take some time for yourself and focus on taking care of your mental and physical health. Burnout can be incredibly debilitating, but it is also treatable.

Burnout is not simply the result of being under a lot of stress for a short period—burnout results from chronic stress, where an individual feels like they are constantly hitting the wall. Burnout can be caused by personal, work, and social challenges. Rarely is burnout the result of just one of these factors. When placed under constant stressors for an extended period, burnout is almost inevitable. The first step in preventing burnout is identifying the stressors in your life. Once you have identified the stressors, you can develop a plan to reduce or eliminate them. If you cannot reduce or eliminate the stressors in your life, it is essential to learn how to reduce your exposure to these chronic stressors.

If you’re struggling with burnout, you’re not alone. In our fast-paced, ever-connected world, it’s all too easy to get caught up in a cycle of chronic stress. But sometimes, no matter how much self-care and resiliency you practice, the only way to truly overcome burnout is to make a change. This could mean changing jobs, relationships, or even starting fresh in a new place. Whatever the case may be, know that deciding to pivot is not a sign of failure. It takes courage to admit when something isn’t working and, even more, courage to make the necessary changes. If you’re feeling lost or uncertain, reach out for support.

Author(s)

  • Dr. Tomi Mitchell

    M.D | Leadership Coach| Wellness & Productivity Coach

    Dr. Tomi Mitchell Holistic Wellness Strategies

    Dr. Tomi Mitchell, MD, empowers executives, lawyers, doctors, business owners, and other leaders to eliminate burnout and increase workplace productivity and relationships.  She uses her three-step framework, Embrace, Evaluate & Energize, to empower her clients to have clarity. 

    As a public speaker and trainer, she brings energy to the crowd, captures their attention, and gives them clear, actionable steps to apply immediately to their life. Dr. Tomi Mitchell believes in getting to the root causes of life's challenges, instead of taking a temporary BandAid approach to life. She is a writer, with a book coming out in Summer 2023. She is also the host of The Mental Health & Wellness Show.  To learn more about her framework, check out the following link: Learn More.