Do you often feel excessively tired after a day's work? Take a moment to reflect on that extreme fatigue, as it may indicate that your resources are becoming exhausted, also known as burnout. You have probably heard the term. In this article, we want to explain a little more about an issue that has become particularly prominent during the pandemic.
Working from home became the norm and was strongly recommended. Alongside allowing work to continue, however, it introduced new sources of stress to which professionals had to adapt very quickly. Other concerns arise when we look at healthcare professionals on the front line against COVID-19, exhausted in many ways that are difficult to explain.
In this sense, burnout should be understood as the exhaustion of personal resources for coping with demands, resulting in intense stress. The tiredness is so extreme that it leaves you without the strength to continue your usual duties.
According to the WHO, burnout has three dimensions:
- Feelings of energy depletion or exhaustion
- Increased mental distance from work
- Reduced professional effectiveness
In other words, burnout involves wear and tear affecting physical and emotional aspects, leading to professional exhaustion.
What causes burnout?
Burnout occurs when the relationship with work becomes a source of intense stress, anxiety and nervousness. A person is pushed to their physical and/or emotional limits, eventually feeling extremely tired and unmotivated.
Excessive physical, mental or emotional effort, followed by little rest or relaxation, is one source of the problem.
What are the symptoms of burnout?
The most common symptoms are:
- sleep disturbances;
- muscle aches and headaches;
- irritability;
- mood changes;
- memory lapses;
- difficulty concentrating;
- loss of appetite;
- aggression;
- isolation;
- depression;
- pessimism
- low self-esteem;
How is burnout treated?
Professional care should not be overlooked, as appropriate support is essential. A psychologist will usually suggest activities to help you manage stress and tension through regular sessions, often once a week. In more severe cases, a doctor may recommend medication.
Psychological care is fundamental to addressing the situation and improving quality of life, and online therapy is one option. Would you like to know how it works and how we can help? Explore the available sessions in the booking process.
