Burnout

1. Work burnout: how to detect it and take action
Do you feel exhausted at work? Find out what you can do when work affects your health.
Written by Mayo Clinic staff
Job burnout is a special type of work-related stress, a state of physical or emotional exhaustion
that also involves a lack of a sense of accomplishment and loss of personal identity.
"Burnout" is not a medical diagnosis. Some experts think that other disorders, such as
depression, are behind burnout. Some researchers point out that individual factors, such as
personality traits and family life, influence those who experience job burnout.
Whatever the cause, job burnout can affect physical and mental health. Discuss how to tell if
you have job burnout and what you can do about it.
Symptoms of job burnout
Ask yourself the following questions:
Have you become cynical or critical at work?
Do you drag yourself to work and have trouble getting started?
Have you become irritable or impatient with your coworkers, bosses, or clients?
Do you lack energy to have a constant productivity?
Do you find it difficult to concentrate?
Do your achievements not give you satisfaction?
Do you feel disappointed in your work?
Are you using food, drugs or alcohol to feel better or just not feel better?
Have your sleeping habits changed?
Are you troubled by unexplained headaches, stomach or intestinal problems, or other physical
complaints?
If you answered yes to any of these questions, you may be experiencing job burnout. Consider
talking to a doctor or psychiatric health care provider, as these symptoms can also be related
to health problems, such as depression.
Possible causes of job burnout
Job burnout can be the result of several factors, including:

2. Lack of control. The inability to influence decisions that affect your work, such as your
schedule, your tasks, or your workload, can lead to job burnout. Lack of the resources you
need to do your job may be another cause.
Unclear job expectations. If you're not clear about how much authority you have or what your
supervisor or others expect of you, you probably won't feel comfortable at work.
Dysfunctional dynamics in the workplace. Perhaps there is someone in your office harassing
you or your colleagues, or you feel disempowered by your colleagues, or your boss interferes
unnecessarily with your work. This can contribute to job stress.
Activity extremes. When a job is monotonous or chaotic, constant energy is needed to stay
focused, which can lead to fatigue and burnout.
Lack of social support. If you feel isolated at work and in your personal life, you may feel more
stressed.
Imbalance between work and private life. If your job requires so much time and effort that you
don't have the energy to spend time with family and friends, you may burn out quickly.
Burnout risk factors
The following factors can contribute to job burnout:
You have a very high workload and you work long hours.
You strive to achieve a balance between life and work.
You work in a helping profession, such as health care
You feel you have little or no control over your work
Consequences of job burnout
Ignored or unaddressed job burnout can have significant consequences, including:
excessive stress
Fatigue
Insomnia
Sadness, anger or irritability
Inappropriate alcohol and substance use
Heart disease
High blood pressure
Type 2 diabetes
Vulnerability to diseases

3. How to manage job burnout
Try to take action. To get started:
Evaluate the options. Discuss your specific concerns with the supervisor. Perhaps you can work
together to change expectations or reach compromises or solutions. Try to set goals for what
you need to do and what to expect.
Seek support. Whether you're reaching out to coworkers, friends, or loved ones, support and
collaboration can help you cope. If you have access to an employee assistance program, take
advantage of the relevant services.
Try doing a relaxing activity. Explore programs that can help with stress, such as yoga,
meditation, or tai chi.
Get some exercise. Regular physical activity can help you better deal with stress. It can also
take your mind off work.
Sleep a little. Sleep restores well-being and helps protect health.
Full attention. Mindfulness is the act of concentrating on the flow of your breath and being
intensely