Who's Vulnerable to Burnout. Are You at Risk?

You might not currently be grappling with chronic stress. While you experience stress, you likely assume it's on par with most people and manage it adeptly. However, it's worth considering this:

Could the challenges in your life be pushing you towards full-blown burnout from a standard stress level?

Burnout and stress go hand in hand. Persistent stress, consistently dealing with stressful situations and issues, can lead to burnout. Conversely, intermittent stress can actually be beneficial.

It's your body's way of safeguarding you. The stress response is linked to your fight-or-flight instinct, heightening your senses when faced with a threat or need to flee swiftly.

Burnout arises from being in that situation incessantly. Your mind, body, and/or emotions are relentlessly bombarded to the point of surrender.

They simply can't endure anymore. Even the most resilient individuals can suffer greatly from a constant onslaught of stress, to the extent that some part of them shuts down.

So. perhaps it's worth knowing...Am I Prone to Burnout?

Firstly, consider if you genuinely enjoy your job. It's a tough ask and the word genuinely is critical here, but if you do, chances are you're not at risk. When you eagerly wake up each morning looking forward to work, your stress levels are likely manageable. It's an indication that chronic stress isn't awaiting you when you clock in.

What occupies most of your time outside of work? Does it cause you significant stress? Again, if stress isn't a constant companion, you probably don't need to fret.

Burnout stems from a consistent and unyielding exposure to stress. Whether it's in the workplace, at home, or elsewhere, it's stress that you can't evade. It's constantly confronting you and pushing you to the brink of explosion.

Some occupations are more stressful than others. According to Yahoo Finance, the following jobs are more prone to burnout:

- Retail

- Surgeon

- Fast food worker

- Social worker

- Air traffic controller

- Construction worker

- Teacher

- Nurse

- Certified public accountant

- Firefighter

- Emergency medical technician

However, not working in these fields doesn't grant immunity from burnout. Frequent exposure to prolonged stress is never beneficial. Seek guidance from a mental health professional if stress dominates your life excessively.

Just so we know ... What is Burnout Syndrome?

Burnout is largely, and not exclusively, associated with work and the environment or culture we work in. While challenges in personal life can also contribute, burnout is predominantly experienced in the workplace.

Burnout syndrome typically emerges from chronic workplace stress that hasn't been effectively managed or treated. We all encounter stress at work occasionally. However, manageable stressors become problematic when left unaddressed, leading to burnout. This is characterised by three distinct experiences:

1. Exhaustion: Feeling utterly drained, unable to muster any energy.

2. Disconnection: Feeling a misalignment between personal values and job responsibilities, leading to cynicism and negativity towards work.

3. Reduced Professional Efficacy: Having low confidence in one's ability to fulfil job requirements, often leading to self-medication or withdrawal.

Untreated burnout can result in severe physical and mental health issues, which may even be life-threatening. It's imperative to seek treatment promptly to prevent significant harm to one's life and well-being.

The first step to understanding yourself is perhaps to take a complimentary and confidential Stress and Well-Being Assessment. You'll find a link to a great one, offered here, in the comments below this article.

Also know that help is at hand. At Inspire Coaching we have specialised in working in the stress and well-being space since we started in 2012, and now offer a range of coaching and training packages to help you if you resonate with this article.

You can also benefit from our Mental Health First Aid training along with the course specifically for managers who may fin dit difficult to have the right conversation with members of their team especially at a time of crisis. If that sounds like you, do get in touch.