By Eftychia Antonopoulou,
A world full of ambition. Setting goals and working towards them is, for sure, beneficial in a personal and collective level. Each and every one of us makes great efforts to exceed all expectations and become the best version of ourselves. This is how we become better, more productive, and successful. And that is how our world grows and takes steps forward, towards more advanced, and improved circumstances. However, that is also a way to add more stress and pressure in our lives. And is this a healthy way to live?
An “occupational phenomenon”. “Burnout”. That is how World Health Organization (WHO) describes the syndrome of exhaustion. A state of physical, mental, and emotional fatigue that is caused by long-term stress and constant pressure. A really common syndrome in our society which has a negative impact mainly on our mental health. It is in fact mostly a work-related phenomenon, that occurs due to excessive stress and demanding situations that exceed our resources. Unlimited working hours to impress the boss and get the job done often drains our energy.
The symptoms are really common. Everyone has experienced at least one of these; chronical tiredness, headaches, and frequent illnesses. At the same time there are emotional symptoms such as a feeling of helplessness and dissatisfaction, abnormal behaviors with sudden outbursts. All these symptoms, with time, become habits. As a result, one who is experiencing a “burnout” is less motivated to be productive as one struggles with everyday simple tasks. One procrastinates and cannot concentrate to complete one’s obligations. It is a vicious circle from which it is difficult to escape.
What can be done? As it is a situation that cannot be considered as a mental illness, it is easier to overcome it on your own. It’s a state of uncertainty and mental confusion that can be dealt with if one makes this decision. Reevaluating your work conditions and detecting any possible problems in the workplace can be the first step to get out of a “burnout”. When you are aware of the problem troubling you, it is easier to find a solution for it. Additionally, in order to recover from a mental exhaustion, one should take care of one’s physical health and necessities of life, such as a good nutrition and sleep schedule and maybe try to incorporate physical activity in one’s life. A healthy body is the base for a healthy mind. Being close to people who support you is also really important in order to regain your strength. A positive mindset depends on the work environment as well as the social circles of a person.
However, what will easily solve the issue of a burnout is time and rest. With time, one can recharge and find the willingness to get back on one’s everyday routine and schedule. After having some time to process the way you feel and clear your mind, you can view things differently. Relaxing can release tension and ease the stress of the work environment.
It may seem as a simple syndrome to deal with, but it can be really persistent and stubborn. Nowadays, our work becomes our life. That being an unavoidable situation, we should try to make our work a better place to be. Filled with ambition and high expectations, we often ignore our human need for relaxation. That’s why we must take a pause once in a while, breathe, think about our mental and physical state, and then, continue on with our busy day. Even the smallest breath can save us from extreme exhaustion and “burnout”.
References
- Burnout. mentalhealth-uk. Available here
- How to Treat and Prevent Mental Exhaustion. healthline. Available here
