So here is the thing – stress in the workplace can be a good for us! It can help us focus, increase productivity and contribute to a sense of accomplishment, satisfaction, self-esteem and general well-being. That is, if the stress levels we are experiencing are at just the right levels: high enough to be motivational and low enough not to be debilitating.
Too much stress however, like too much of anything, is not a good thing. In fact too much stress, again like too much of most things, can actually be psychologically and physiologically harmful. Too much stress leads to burnout, and burnout if left unchecked, could be a risk factor for developing further physical and mental health difficulties.
So what is burnout?
Burnout is recognised by the World Health Organisation (WHO) as a condition resulting from chronic workplace stress that has not been successfully managed. The symptoms of it typically fall into three categories:
- Feelings of energy depletion or exhaustion
- Increased disconnection from work or increased cynicism and negativity
- Reduced professional efficacy
In other words, it’s when we feel chronically tired, jaded and fed up with what we are doing at work. It’s when we have lost that motivation and drive to make a difference. It’s when we become more irritable, more difficult to be around and ultimately less productive.
Burnout isn’t something which typically just happens, it is something that creeps up on us and it can often be other people that notice the first signs of it rather than ourselves. It is therefore important for everyone to be aware of the possible beginnings of burnout both in ourselves and in those around us. After all, burnout doesn’t just go away – we need to actively take a step back, analyse what is contributing to our feelings and then take practical steps to address the underlying factors.
What can we do if we think that we are suffering from burnout?
Ultimately it’s the little things that make a difference. If burnout can creep up on us slowly then we need to make some changes when we start to notice its presence. These changes could be both things inside and outside work than can then add up to combat burnout and will hopefully begin to give us more control overall.
Although different things will work for different people, some tips if you start to notice burnout could be:
- Try and analyse what the cause of the burnout is and then problem solve what might help
- Prioritise what needs to get done now and what can realistically wait
- Make sure you always finish work on time – don’t take it home with you
- Actively schedule in activities you enjoy outside of work
- Book in that annual leave you have been meaning to take
- Set boundaries with others and know your limits
- Make sure you get enough sleep
- Practice self-compassion – look after yourself
- Reach out and ask for help – talk to people you trust at work
At Cygnet, we know that working in high pressure environments can be stressful at times, which is why the company set up the StRaW (Sustaining Resilience at Work) Peer Support Programme that is aimed at supporting people in building their resilience and promoting psychological wellbeing in the work place.
StRaW can help detect and prevent occupational health issues and boost psychological resilience. We have practitioners placed across all services who can offer individual management plans to support those who need it. The programme can be accessed by individual staff and also via a referral from a service manager.