Career Struggles: How to prevent a burnout in the middle of the year
updated the 7 July 2016 à 16:30Feeling stressed? Easily frustrated? Exhausted? You might be on a destructive path.
Burnout is characterised as physical, emotional and mental exhaustion caused by long periods of high-level stress in a job. With the increasing levels of stress reported to be experienced by Singapore workers, job burnout seems to be a likely phenomenon to occur in this country. This is dangerous because the effects of a burnout can trigger a sense of helplessness and a loss of motivation in work, and in serious cases, the loss of a will to live. It is important to recognise the signs of a burnout and to implement ways to prevent the possibility of falling victim to this destructive occurrence.
Signs & symptoms
We have to first recognise that stress does not equate to burnout, but it is usually the primary cause of it. People who are simply experiencing stress normally still possess a sense of awareness and positivity, that things will get better once everything is under control. The typical warning signs of a burnout, however, include a complete lack of motivation at work, disengagement with family and friends and an increase in addictive behaviour, just to name a few. Other than stress, minimal rest time also plays a huge factor in causing job burnout.
What you can do
The most important part in prevention or recovery is to prioritise healthy eating, exercising and sleeping habits. Head out for a relaxing lunch break instead of eating at your office desk, adopt a daily exercise routine and make sure you get enough sleep every day in order to recharge your body and regain the energy and positive mindset needed for tomorrow’s tasks.
In addition, it is imperative to know your limits and to take on only what you are able to do. Overworking derives mainly from accepting too many responsibilities, which in turn gives you little time to rest. Hence, it is crucial that you avoid taking on too much in your work.
Lastly, engaging yourself in a hobby, whether new or old, is a great way to disconnect yourself from work and to do something fun instead. If enjoyed in the company of family and friends, it may even aid in restoring and improving relationships as well!
Dione Chen
Photo: Getty Images
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