Burnout - The unacknowledged companion

We're in the second year of working remotely within the safe confines of our homes. While most of the world is looking to go back to 'normal', only a few acknowledge the search for a new way forward, the 'new normal'. With remote working here to stay for the long run, employers an employees must look into mental well being at a microscopic level.

The graph above shows the percentage increase in search queries on Google (approx 25%). The upward trend proves that people are becoming more aware of their mental state and how it affects several areas of their lives.

Burnout is a state of mind, that is a result of long term unresolved stress that negatively affects work and life. Employed and Unemployed people are equally susceptible to burning out.

The term “burnout” is a relatively new term, first coined in 1974 by Herbert Freudenberger, in his book, Burnout: The High Cost of High Achievement. He originally defined burnout as, “the extinction of motivation or incentive, especially where one's devotion to a cause or relationship fails to produce the desired results.”

With this in mind, it is important to identify stages and symptoms of burnout before trying to deal with it. The Winona State University's burnout study broadly lists various stages and associated symptoms of burnout.

1. Honeymoon Phase

Landing a new role, a new job or starting up a new business often produces high job satisfaction, commitment, energy and creativity. In the Honeymoon Phase of burnout, one may experience predicted stresses of the initiative one undertakes. The key to staying in this phase is developing sustainable coping strategies. Any activity that takes care of the individual's mental well being alongside one's professional ventures is key.

Characteristics include commitment to the job at hand, compulsion to prove oneself, free flowing creativity, unbridled optimism, high productivity levels, etc.

2. Balancing Act

The second stage begins when some days appear to be better than the rest. Reality sets in, and fresh waves of optimism slow down. On may also find common stress factors like migraines, back aches, etc. slowly creep in regularly.

Characteristics include anxiety, avoiding decision making, fatigue, forgetfulness, grinding one's teeth at night, job dissatisfaction, lack of social interaction, lesser productivity, irritability, etc.

3. Chronic Stress

The third stage starts with a marked change in one's stress levels, from motivation to experiencing stress on an incredibly frequent basis. The characteristics of the second stage are amplified, and might even manifest to physical injuries.

4. Burnout

Stage 4 is burnout itself, where characteristics become critical. There are no more normal days in this stage as it becomes immensely difficult to cope. Everyone has unique levels of tolerance, and it is time to seek professional help or intervention.

Characteristics include behavioural changes, complete neglect of personal needs, developing an escapist mentality, obsession over problems at work or life, absence of a social life or involvement in society, chronic self doubt, isolation, etc.

5. Habitual Burnout

In the final stage, burnouts are so intertwined into one's life that it is no more an occasional event but a constant reality. One is likely to experience regular, significant ongoing mental, physical and emotional issues in contrast to occasionally experiencing stress or burnout.

Characteristics include burnout syndrome, chronic mental fatigue, chronic physical fatigue, depression and chronic sadness.

How to prevent burnout from affecting us?

While burnout can cause issues at work, at home, and life in general, it is always possible to take action and move towards Stage 1. Even if you are not experiencing stress or burnout now, the wisest course of action is to proactively take up self-care practices and build one's mental resilience.

We're all in this together. A helping hand today can go a long way in these uncertain times.