Addressing Burnout
Welcome to week 7 of the Winter Wellness Challenge.
Burnout is a state of emotional, mental and often physical exhaustion brought on by repeated exposure to stress, commonly with stress related to work. Burnout can be hard to identify and even trickier to combat. But with the right tools and the proper support, you can combat and prevent burnout. If you are feeling “burned out” – this week’s challenge is for you!
Take this quiz to learn about your burnout level: Burnout Quiz
Understanding what burnout is, and how it is created, may help you learn how to prevent it. Burnout is an individual stress response to challenges faced everyday. Individuals can learn how to cope with burnout, and it is vital to address the systems and work environments that contribute to the response.
Listen to Dr. Maslach discuss her research on Burnout and the 6 Factors that contribute to it: 1) Workload 2) Autonomy 3) Positive feedback/reward 4) Workplace community/relationships 5) Fairness & being recognized for positive contribution 6) The extent that you get to fulfill personal values through your work.
6 Factors that Contribute to Burnout- (4 minutes)
So now you know how to identify the factors that contribute to burnout, the question that still remains is how do you address it? Or how do you even prevent it? Well understanding where that burnout is coming from is one step towards fighting it. Watching this video may help you understand a little bit more about the stress response and how to address burnout in all areas of life.
The Cure for Burnout (Hint: it isn’t self-care)- (18 minutes)
Challenge:
Consider these steps:
1. Explore the contributing factors –1) Workload 2) Autonomy 3) Positive feedback/reward 4) Workplace community/relationships 5) Fairness & being recognized for positive contribution 6) The extent that you get to fulfill personal values through your work: Based on what you learned from Dr. Maslash’s video above – What is contributing to your burnout?
2. Identify changes: What is one contributing factor that needs to change right now? Who in your life has the power to help you address the change? Talk with them.
4. Boundaries: Where can you set boundaries? What contributing factors can you address personally?
5. Take care of yourself: You may need assistance addressing the factors contributing to burnout, but there are ways to address the stress you are feeling. See:
Winter Wellness Challenge – Week 1 – Prioritizing Self-Care
6. Talk with a professional. You are not alone, and professionals are prepared to help. Please reach out to C&FS EAP to speak with one of our staff for assistance. Please call 716-681-4300 or complete the intake form here:
Request Services Now
Bonus Content:
Bonus video:
More about Burnout – Dr. Erin Engle (4 minutes)
In case you missed it:
Winter Wellness Challenge – Week 1 – Prioritizing Self-Care
Winter Wellness Challenge – Week 2 – Managing Grief and Loss
Winter Wellness Challenge – Week 3 – Conflict: Proactive vs. Reactive
Winter Wellness Challenge – Week 4 – Managing the Stress of the Storm
Winter Wellness Challenge – Week 5 – Money Matters
Winter Wellness Challenge – Week 6 – Fitness and the Mind-Body Connection
Reach out:
As always – if you would like to discuss this topic, or any other concern, please reach out to C&FS EAP to speak with one of our staff for assistance. Please call 716-681-4300 or complete the intake form here:
Source:
Maslach, C., & Leiter, M. P. (2016). Understanding the burnout experience: recent research and its implications for psychiatry. World psychiatry: Official Journal of the World Psychiatric Association (WPA), 15(2), 103–111.
