Did you know that 1 in 5 French people are professionally exhausted? This syndrome, or " emotional burnout ", affects more and more people. It is caused by chronic stress, often work-related. However, there are solutions to avoid and overcome it.
In this article, we will look at the signs of emotional burnout . We will also give you tips to better balance your life.
Key Takeaways
- Emotional burnout , physical and mental exhaustion linked to chronic stress, most often originating from work
- The main symptoms: intense fatigue, loss of motivation , anxiety and depression
- Solutions exist to prevent and overcome emotional burnout
- Adopt good practices to maintain your life balance
- Dare to ask for help and get support if necessary
Understanding emotional burnout
Emotional burnout , or professional exhaustion, is a syndrome that affects more and more people. It was first identified in the 1970s. Psychoanalyst Herbert Freudenberger used the term to describe physical and mental exhaustion related to work stress.
Burn out in French
Burnout in French could be translated as exhaustion syndrome which is characterized by intense fatigue, loss of motivation and commitment to work. It can also lead to a feeling of personal inefficiency. This condition has negative impacts on physical and mental health.
- Emotional exhaustion
- Depersonalization
- Decreased personal accomplishment
It is important to understand the causes and symptoms of emotional burnout in order to better combat it and implement prevention and management strategies.
"Burnout is not an illness, it is a warning signal that something is wrong with the way we manage our professional life."
Emotional burnout
Emotionalburnout is a complex and multifactorial health problem. Understanding the root causes is crucial to effectively address it. The main risk factors are chronic stress and work overload.
Chronic stress is a major driver of emotional burnout. Excessive stress can lead to physical and mental exhaustion. This can be due to high job demands, lack of support, or lack of autonomy.
Overwork is also a major risk factor. Working too long and having too short deadlines can cause fatigue and loss of motivation . A lack of recognition can also undermine the meaning of work.
- Chronic stress
- Work overload
- Lack of recognition
It is essential to prevent these risk factors, individually and collectively. This includes better time management, listening to employees' needs and valuing their work. A collective effort is needed to combat emotional burnout by involving not only the individual but also the organization, with a view to a global effort to address it in an integrative and sustainable manner.
Burnout: an admission of weakness?
You might think that burnout is an admission of weakness, but it is not. Many people who get burned out think that they have to be strong, that they have to endure, that they have to show that they are capable. This often highlights a lack of self-confidence or self-esteem, a difficulty in setting healthy boundaries, in saying stop when people walk all over you.
There will always be people ready to use and wear down others, saying stop, saying no, will be an act of strength and courage.
The same way as asking for help. Because when I ask for help at work, my superiors will automatically have more trust in me, they will know that I am frank and honest and that when I don't know, I prefer to ask for help than to pretend and potentially generate harmful collateral effects.
Symptoms of burnout
Emotionalburnout is a complex condition. It manifests itself through various symptoms. Among the most common are chronic fatigue and loss of motivation . These signs affect professional and personal life.
Chronic fatigue
Persistent fatigue is a sign of burnout. Even after rest, one feels exhausted. This chronic fatigue decreases energy and enthusiasm for daily tasks.
It can make it difficult to concentrate and stay productive at work.
Loss of motivation
Emotional detachment and professional cynicism can also manifest themselves. This leads to a loss of motivation for work. The individual has difficulty getting involved in his projects, he no longer wants to do anything.
These symptoms of emotional burnout can affect health and well-being. It is crucial to identify and treat them quickly.
Burn out duration
Emotional burnout significantly affects a person's life. The duration of burnout varies depending on several factors. Since each person is unique, and each individual too, it is important to take them into account.
Recovery from burnout can last from several months to a year. During this period it is necessary to rest and regain balance. It is also necessary to put in place preventive measures to avoid relapsing into burnout .
The healing process has several stages:
- A rest to detach yourself and release accumulated stress.
- A reassessment of career priorities and goals.
- Healthier lifestyle habits.
- A return to work with new arrangements.
The road to recovery is long. It is important not to return to work too quickly. A careful and caring approach helps overcome emotional burnout .
|
Stage |
Average duration |
Goals |
|
Rest and relaxation |
2-4 weeks |
Detach from stress, rest |
|
Questioning |
2-3 months |
Redefine your priorities and objectives |
|
Establishing new habits |
3-6 months |
Adopt a healthier lifestyle |
|
Gradual return to activity |
6-12 months |
Return to work gently |
By following a comprehensive and caring approach, we can overcome emotional burnout and prevent relapses.
Learn to listen to yourself and your needs
Learning to listen to yourself and your needs is essential in a recovery process. It is a step that consists of (re)connecting with your inner child, identifying and defining your needs.
The main question to ask is:
- What are my needs:
- Staff
- Sexual
- Social
- Relationships
- Professionals
By knowing our needs, it is easier to make decisions and refuse things that do not meet our needs.
Know your limits
Knowing and accepting one's limits is perhaps one of the most difficult things, because it involves embracing oneself in one's entirety, both one's bright sides and one's dark sides. By knowing one's own limits, it is possible to see where we are capable, and where we do not feel capable. This will allow us to ask for help, and in most cases, help will be given.
Asking for help is a sign of strength and courage.
Be his #1 priority
Being your number one priority may sound a little pretentious, but if you want something in your life, it's up to you to go get it and vibrate it deep inside you. In the same way that if you want to be loved, it's essential to love yourself for it to work.
Being your number one priority means that you will listen to yourself before you do something, and see if that something resonates with you or us. This will prevent you from feeding patterns where you do activities to please yourself at your expense.
It also makes it easier to set healthy boundaries and avoid being overwhelmed.
When we do things half-heartedly, they have a much greater impact on our bodies and health than we realize.
Conclusion
It is crucial to combat the signs of emotional burnout quickly. There are solutions to deal with it, such as better balancing your professional and personal life. Doing activities that promote well-being at work can also help you regain serenity.
Asking for help from those close to you is essential to overcome this evil, and it is in no way an admission of weakness, quite the contrary.
Setting healthy boundaries, knowing your limits, expressing what you feel are all elements that help keep burnout out of your life.
By taking these steps, you can effectively combat emotional burnout . This helps you find a balance between your work and your private life.
Taking care of yourself and your well-being is the key to giving meaning to work and flourishing both personally and professionally.
FAQ
What is emotional burnout?
Emotional burnout, or professional exhaustion , is a state of exhaustion. It is caused by chronic stress at work. It is characterized by extreme fatigue, loss of motivation and emotional detachment .
What are the main causes of emotional burnout?
The main causes include chronic stress and work overload. Lack of recognition and work-life imbalance also play a role.
What are the main symptoms of emotional burnout?
Major symptoms include chronic fatigue and loss of motivation. Also observed are emotional detachment , professional cynicism and a feeling of ineffectiveness at work.
How long does emotional burnout last?
The duration varies from person to person. But, it usually takes several months to recover. Prevention is essential to avoid a relapse.
How to overcome emotional burnout?
To overcome burnout, taking time for yourself is crucial. You need to balance your professional and personal life. Practicing wellness activities and having social or professional support are also important.
How do you know when your body says stop?
The body may show signs of exhaustion such as intense fatigue, insomnia, irritability or recurring physical pain. These symptoms are indicators that it is time to slow down and take care of yourself to avoid more serious exhaustion.
How do I know if I'm burnt out?
You may be experiencing burnout if you experience extreme fatigue, persistent lack of motivation, and emotional disconnection from work. Other signs include sleep disturbances, irritability, and decreased performance or personal satisfaction.