Can self care prevent burnout at work?
Spotting the signs of burnout at work
Burnout is common in many workplaces and arguably has become more so due to the stress related to the COVID-19 pandemic. To understand more about burnout you may find it useful to read our previous blogs: Is burnout a medical condition and what causes burnout.
It can be helpful to know the signs of burnout so that you can spot them in yourself, your colleagues and in those you supervise or manage. Be on the lookout for the following signs:
- Being less compassionate about clients or colleagues (see our blog on burnout versus compassion fatigue here).
- Being physically unwell more frequently than usual and / or taking more absence days
- Feeling physically and / or emotionally drained and exhausted
- Finding yourself, or noticing others, complaining about your / their role, service or seniors more frequently than before
- Cynicism
- High turnover in the team
- Making more mistakes
How self-care can prevent burnout
Stress in the workplace is the source of burnout and the workplace is also integral to the prevention and cure of burnout. Your seniors and managers have a responsibility to support you in maintaining good mental health which will also allow you to do your job to the best of your ability.
We also all have a responsibility to ourselves, colleagues and organisations to look after ourselves. Self-care is vitally important in the prevention of burnout. Self-care includes the following:
Physical health: ensure you look after your physical self by getting enough sleep, eating well, exercising regularly and treating any acute or chronic physical health conditions.
Balance your time: creating balance in your life is essential, especially the balance between home and work life. Prioritise leaving work on time, taking lunch breaks and limiting overtime you take.
Mindfulness: ensure there is a part of your everyday life when you are entirely focused on the current moment. Mindfulness is about immersing yourself in something and therefore not worrying about the past or future. It can be as simple as making time for a hobby you enjoy or focusing on your food as you eat it.
Relationships: relationships both at work and home are important for self-care. Aim to build positive, supportive relationships at work and meaningful relationships in your personal life.
If you take good care of yourself then you, your colleagues, your family, friends and workplace benefits. Remember – selfcare isn’t selfish!
Who can help with burnout?
As above, your organisation and seniors are essential in helping you prevent or recover from burnout. If you would like support from an external organisation then please contact Burnout UK. Burnout UK was founded by Dr Julie Hannan and provides online courses for people to overcome and prevent burnout. Courses are written by Psychologists and approved by the British Psychological Society. Courses help you identify stressors that you face in your work and home life that might be contributing to your burnout and reshape areas of your life which are depleting you by developing new strategies to support your recovery and strengthen your resilience and wellbeing for the future.
