Job Burnout:  A constant feeling of dissatisfaction, purposelessness, and stress around your job or workplace defines job burnout. According to a study conducted by UKG Workforce Institute, about 78% of employees in India experience some form of job burnout so it turns out it is more prevalent than you thought it is. Moreover, you are not alone in this state of distress.    

What is a Job Burnout? 

Burnout is a kind of chronic exhaustion that one feels about their job or work. It impacts us physically, emotionally, and mentally triggering emotions of stress, dissatisfaction, and unappreciation. The effects of workplace burnout also transcend into one’s personal life-straining relationships. Professionally, burnout evidently impacts the ties between co-workers by slowly making its way into your lifestyle due to several causes.  

Evident Signs of Job Burnout 

Some evident symptoms of a workplace burnout are- 

• Fatigue 
• Detachment 
• Hopelessness 
• Helplessness 
• Reduced Efficacy
• Isolation  
• Irritability
• Withdrawal 
• Denial 
• Need to prove oneself 

What causes a job burnout? 

From unbearable workload to lack of appreciation, several factors lead to workplace burnout. 

Work Overload: Everyone works best in their capacity. Frequent overload of work beyond capacity or monotonous workload can lead to a disruption in balance causing burnout. 

Lack of Control: Employees may feel like they are not in charge of their workload, with a feeling of indecisiveness and challenges in scheduling priorities. 

Poor Work Culture: As social beings, we form affiliations and kinship at the workplace too. Lacking a friendly workplace or staying in a place with toxicity, unhealthy competition, or a lack of encouragement from fellow workers also causes burnout.      

Misalignment of Values: working for something that does not drive you or align with your values could lead to a lack of motivation at work. 

Lacking Perspective on Expectations: Your expectations from your job and your manager's expectations from your work may vary. You may lack perspective on your priorities or goals and vice versa leading to job burnout. 

Ways to manage job burnout 

Recognising Signs: Acknowledging and accepting the signs of burnout like exhaustion, cynicism, and reduced productivity is the first step in addressing the issues.  

Set Boundaries: A step to avoid overexertion is setting clear boundaries. Learning to say to and recognising one's limitations would help you perform in areas of your strengths.   

Self-care: Eating well, and having sufficient sleep and nutrients go a long way in imbibing a healthy lifestyle. It will help you cope better.   

Breaks and Time Management: Lack of breaks and poor time management leads to inefficiency and lack of productivity. Managing it will minimize overwhelm. 

Turn to your hobbies: Get in touch with your interests that make you feel happy and relaxed. 

Seek Support: Seek our health from professionals if burnout continues to hinder your mental health and well-being.  

Job burnout is a common phenomenon though it should not be. But, you are not alone and there are people out there to help you feel better.