“In order to suffer from burnout,” says Elliot Aronson, professor of social psychology at the University of California, “you must first be on fire.” Typically, those prone to burn out are those ablaze with high goals and ideals. However, is burnout solely associated with long hours, stressful working conditions and high personal expectations?
During the Covid-19 pandemic burnout rates spiked and global data shows that burnout rates continue to rise. It's no surprise that in 2019, the World Health Organization (WHO) included it in it's International Classification of Diseases, defining is as an 'occupational phenomenon'. Sadly, it's not uncommon for those who 'never say no' or 'work all the hours' to be praised in the workplace, reinforcing the view that 'all work and no play' is a good thing, but is it? What reply does our body give to this view? Our body can use symptoms as a call to action that things need to change.
Here are three ways to prevent burnout:
In 2021 I experienced burnout and was helped to recover with the use of various tools and techniques designed to help me meet my body's needs. They helped me identify the stressors in my life and identify practical steps I could take to address these issues. A key shift was to invest more in my own health and personal fulfillment, which would then energise me to care for other important things. Having professional help from someone who could look on with a fresh perspective was a game changer.
If you would like to know about how mental health coaching can help burnout recovery please get in touch for a thirty minute consultation.
Mind-Body tools and techniques help us tune in to what our body is trying to tell us and calm our fight, flight or freeze response. Learn how to navigate unfair treatment, unmet needs, overthinking and much more...
Professor Fumiaki Inaoka - Burnout Syndrome