Burnout or professional exhaustion syndrome is the result of prolonged stress pressure linked to the job. A process in which the worker progressively suffers a loss of interest in his tasks and develops a negative psychological reaction towards his job occupation. This is a fairly common condition: 43% of professionals claim to feel some sense of exhaustion or work fatigue, according to a study by the consulting firm Hays.
“Burnout not only affects the person who suffers from it, but also the results of the organization and, most importantly, the general well-being of the team. That is why it is so important that it stop being a taboo subject, we need to talk about it to solve itâ€, explains the expert in leadership and personal development Cecilia Mansilla, an instructor at Udemy.
Burnout worker syndrome is the consequence of several causes, and it is crucial to identify them in time to alleviate the negative effects they may produce. Symptoms vary from person to person, but some of the most common, which can also be interpreted as early signs, are difficulty solving problems, where previously simple issues become overwhelming; physical and mental exhaustion, which causes the feeling of constant tiredness and lack of energy; weight gain or, conversely, loss of appetite, as well as difficulty concentrating and muscle aches or migraines.
Likewise, a worker affected by this syndrome may experience mood swings, greater susceptibility in matters that were previously considered of little relevance, as well as stress, anxiety, depression and insomnia. Other common symptom is reduced productivity and effectiveness at work; People who have always performed their work tasks satisfactorily begin to lower their productivity and quality of their work as a result of the demotivation and frustration they feel, which can also trigger indifference and detachment behaviors, such as loss of interest and motivation in job responsibilities. In some cases, in addition, the syndrome can affect the relationship with colleagues or clients, who perceive a change in attitude and a tougher treatment.
To reverse the situation, it is very important to identify and modify the working conditions that have caused fatigue and demotivation in the worker. Likewise, the relocation of him within the company and the offer of psychological advice or accompaniment to rectify the acquired habits should be assessed.
It is also essential, say the experts, that the employee act on a personal level to combat the feeling of fatigue and detachment from his position. In this sense, he must “pull” the aptitudes and promote the capacities that each person possesses so as not to fall into this vicious circle from which it can be increasingly difficult to get out. Some of these skills are: the development of confidence, which helps and empowers to make critical and intelligent decisions; individual development through self-knowledge; learning to manage time, that is, prioritizing certain tasks and defining which are important and which cannot help increase productivity. Meditation can also be beneficial for reducing stress levels and managing the technological stimuli present in day-to-day work, such as emails, calls, and watsaps.
Organizations must also take steps to promote well-being within the company. “As a first step, they need to provide employee-related content and develop a learning culture that fosters motivation and engagement. They must also promote self-learning as a tool for everyone to take control of their development and discover new possibilities, both personal and professionalâ€, explains Nagi Pérez, head of Udemy Business in Spain. In this sense, she indicates, it is essential to open a dialogue to achieve transparent communication in order to create a positive work environment in which people feel comfortable enough to share their experiences and are welcomed by all members of the organization.
In this way, the necessary balance between work and personal life will be contributed, for which it will be essential to create work and rest routines. Mansilla considers that this is an essential aspect, “especially for those who work from home, where it is much more difficult to separate work from personal life, since we work in the same place where we live”, he elucidates. In short, “it is about develop opportunities for the development of continuous and flexible skills that help employees in their development and that prioritize their well-being. All of this directly contributes to improving the quality of employment”, specifies Nagi Pérez. Lastly, she defends that evaluating and protecting the worker against symptoms of professional burnout will allow efficient, motivated and healthy workers to be recovered.
