Dealing with Burnout
Burnout is a high risk in our modern world. The chase for greater productivity often leads down a path of diminishing returns that results in mental exhaustion and the erosion of our well-being.
The relentless push for efficiency and multi-tasking, has given rise to a silent epidemic: burnout.
A recent Statistics Canada study revealed that over 4.1 million people reported experiencing high or very high levels of work-related stress, accounting for 21.2% of all employed individuals. Notably, women (22.7%) are more likely than men (19.7%) to report high or very high levels of work-related stress.
The Signs and Impact of Burnout
Burnout, like depression, can develop slowly and even imperceptibly. However, as the symptoms of emotional, physical, and mental exhaustion grow, it can lead to insomnia, high anxiety, significant weight gain or loss, and depression. Emotionally, people often feel guilty or wonder what is wrong with them. They frequently don’t recognize the inhuman demands they are making on their mind and body. The longer these symptoms persist without intervention, the greater risk the body will decline to the point that a person loses control and is no longer able to work, sleep, eat, or perform in normal ways. These people will have similar symptoms to people with high anxiety and severe depression.
How Therapy Can Help
Addressing burnout and the accompanying mental exhaustion requires more than just a temporary fix; it calls for fundamental changes. If you have the symptoms of burnout you should reach out for professional help sooner than later, because the longer these symptoms persist, the longer it may take to recover. Also, you should seek medical help to make sure that you don’t have any underlying health problems that are causing or exacerbating your symptoms.
Counselling can help you to understand what is happening and figure out how to respond in a wholistic way that reduces burnout symptoms. Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) is effective in identifying and changing negative thought patterns and behaviors that may add to your stress and mental exhaustion. Setting healthy boundaries and intentions is often necessary to get the rest and care to move toward recovery. Furthermore, mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) techniques can help individuals anchor themselves in the present moment, reduce overthinking,and enhance emotional regulation and a calmer brain.
Solution-focused therapy provides guidance on envisioning a desired future rather than dwelling on present difficulties. This approach encourages individuals to identify and take practical steps toward achieving their goals, fostering a sense of agency and hope.
Coping Mechanisms for Dealing with Burnout
Cultivating a Balanced Life
Therapy is not just about therapeutic interventions, rather, it should help you cultivate a balanced life that provides greater resilience and mitigates burnout. Emotionally healthy people understand and care for their emotional and physical needs. This includes a healthy diet, exercise, leisure time and self-compassion versus self-critical thoughts. A balanced life includes setting healthy boundaries between work and personal life, and learning to delegate or decline additional responsibilities when necessary. It's about recognizing that being productive is more likely to be achieved and sustained by healthy and happy people.
As we navigate the pressures of modern life, it's crucial to remember that our worth is not defined by our doing. Rather, all humans have emotional and physical limitations that require respect and care for their basic needs. Embracing strategies for stress management and seeking support when needed can pave the way toward a more balanced and fulfilling life.
By acknowledging our human needs with self-compassion, we can begin to heal from burnout and rediscover joy. In doing so, we not only enhance our own well-being but also contribute to a culture that values health as much as achievement and success.
