Burnout

During one course, I got completely stuck. I woke up at night because my heart was beating wildly. I was gripped by fear. I thought I was going to have a heart attack. All the tests given were fine, the doctors couldn't find anything wrong. Finally, I found a doctor who took me seriously and understood my situation. He knew how to support me in the right way and gave me months of sick leave. But during this sick leave I got even more tired. I couldn't handle anything anymore. All light gestures, which are usually smooth by themselves, became a big problem for me. Just something like taking a shower tired me to death. I couldn't deal with people, I just wanted them to leave me alone and let me rest. My brain completely gave up and didn't accept anything anymore, I couldn't watch TV, read or write.–/- -/ here I have been sitting for about four years now and trying to find my way back. I have now realized that all this has been meaningful, I am now stronger than before./

 

What is it really about when we talk about burnout? What is the core of this phenomenon? I believe that this is basically a matter of losing one's authenticity - losing oneself, abandoning one's deeper nature, losing connection with the soul. The body only gets sick later.

 

Burnout is defined by a couple of key symptoms. First, constant exhaustion, a chronic feeling of fatigue that does not go away even after a long summer vacation.

Second, has cynicism or spiritual distance developed. It's a kind of negative coping when you used to like your work and clients, but now you keep your distance and are more cynical. Work is no longer important to a person. 

Third - emotional control. People who are overwhelmed and under a lot of stress can experience negative, emotional reactions that come as a surprise to themselves. Someone bursts into tears in the middle of a meeting or is very angry. This happens because emotions are harder to control, so conflicts can arise more easily.

The symptoms of burnout are quite similar to depression, which is also characterized by exhaustion, lack of energy and will, and difficulty concentrating. For example, when it is necessary to read or write something, a burnt-out person has a scattered state and it is difficult to finish what he started. 

Burnout doesn't happen out of nowhere. It can be a years-long process, which, as it develops, causes stress, sleep disorders, communication difficulties, headaches, stomachaches and many other ailments. Burned out people often have pain sensations in their body, which does not mean that there is really something wrong with them - psychosomatic pains.

According to the popular opinion, burnout is mainly a personal problem, i.e. a person burns out because of shortcomings in character, behavior or productivity. However, it is actually a problem of the social environment.

The structure and functioning of the workplace shape the way people communicate with each other and the work result. If the work environment does not recognize the human aspects of work, the risk of burnout increases. The burnout of an individual worker says more about his working conditions than about the person himself!!!!!!!!!! Burnout is an all too common phenomenon in Estonian working life.

It is very often characterized by a large with shame: I couldn't do my job; I failed to achieve my goals and I lack energy; maybe my colleagues are doing well, but I was the one who burned out and had to leave them in trouble. They get hit a very strong sense of failure.

What caused the burnout will perhaps be understood later. It was not a matter of weakness or laziness - in fact, the situation is quite the opposite. The problem may be that you were asked to do too much, but there was no support from your boss, or it was accompanied by bullying or unfair treatment. 

Burnout is a difficult thing to survive, because it has a devastating effect on health, quality of life, family and friendships, because there is simply no energy to deal with everything.

The opposites of burnout are energy, connection to work and the collective - a sense of belonging and efficiency. A new job is usually started with enthusiasm. In a classic case, burnout hits competent and talented people. Who are very work focused and enthusiastic. They mostly set high goals for themselves and they set the bar high does not let down. They are often characterized by perfectionism and work addiction, they relate to the world through their work.

Those who can't regulate the content and volume of their work can also burn out. Burnout is more dangerous for people working in leading positions, because the top position is sometimes very lonely.

 

What are the 7 serious danger signs?

You are very cynical. Think about yourself and analyze whether you are more cynical than before. Do you tend to make fun of your friends? Research has shown that cynicism can be a human defense mechanism against stress.

You have a feeling that you would like to run away. Experts say that if you constantly feel like leaving everything there and running away, it could be burnout. Avoidance, or the desire to do so, is one of the aspects that a person unconsciously uses when the mind is tired.

Tends forget or confuse ordinary activities in everyday life. If you find yourself forgetting anniversaries that you would normally never forget or can't focus on the activities of everyday life, it could be a sign that you shouldn't rest anymore. Dutch researchers have said that if a person has problems remembering their daily tasks, it is a matter of stress.

You are tired all the time. If you want to sleep very long on Saturday mornings, and then you find that it was of no use in warding off fatigue, it could once again be a sign that you have work stress. Emotional exhaustion is one of the signs of mental burnout.

You are always dissatisfied. If you find that your boss is bad and your colleagues are not very good either, it may be a sign that you are mentally burned out. Of course, it must be taken into account that sometimes criticism can also correspond to the truth, but scientists warn that excessive criticism can also indicate burnout.

You tend to doubt yourself. Despite the fact that you have put in a lot of work and effort, you still have doubts about whether your work has any value. According to researchers, insecurity about one's work and one's achievements is a very typical symptom of burnout.

Your health is failing. If your head tends to hurt and your health is otherwise poor, but doctors cannot find a direct reason for your complaints, it is worth taking a look at the work calendar. Based on various studies, there is a strong connection between health disorders and burnout.

 

  • tiredness

  • negative affect: anxiety, hypervigilance, irritability, anger

  • indifference, empty feeling, apathy

  • a decrease in stress tolerance, irritation or a feeling of powerlessness over what was previously considered small things

  • decrease in willpower and motivation, feeling that you don't want to, you can't

  • difficulty concentrating

  • problems sleeping or eating

  • physical symptoms such as pain, palpitations, nausea, dizziness

  • diseases such as allergies, diseases of the digestive system, frequent colds

  • work does not bring joy in the same way

  • difficulties in distinguishing work and private life, taking work home with you

  • thinking errors, such as a black-and-white worldview, catastrophizing, overgeneralization

  • the proportion of self-harming behaviors increases: there is more alcohol, tobacco, quarrels

  • non-work activities are reduced, hobbies, activities with friends and family are given up

  • feelings of incompetence and incompetence when working with certain students/classes

  • non-work activities are reduced, hobbies, activities with friends and family are given up

  • A feeling of hopelessness

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