- [Narrator] Have you been feeling lately
that your hard work always seems to wear you down?
Have you been feeling more and more exhausted?
And worse still, has this exhaustion seeped
into areas of your life outside of work?
What is burnout?
The International Classification of Diseases
defines burnout as a syndrome conceptualized
as resulting from chronic workplace stress
that has not been successfully managed, in other words.
It's response to prolonged job stress.
This applies whether your work is at the office,
in school, or at home.
Like if housework or caring
for family members is your main job.
Although it is an occupational phenomenon
rather than a medical condition,
the struggles that come with it are very real.
It's important to be mindful
of the causes and habits that may lead to burnout.
The best care for your own mental health.
With that said, you might be engaging in habits
that are bringing you closer to burnout
even if you don't realize it.
So here are six habits
that are making you burnout without realizing it.
Number one, neglecting your physical health.
Do you not get proper sleep?
Or perhaps skip a few meals here and there.
Skipping a few meals may turn
into losing your appetite all together and weight loss.
A few sleepless nights may turn
into chronic nightly insomnia.
Lack of proper sleep and nutrition
can lead to physical weakness
and a compromised immune system
which can then cause other physical symptoms of burnout.
It's important to address signs of trouble
with sleep and appetite early on.
And ensure that you get enough rest, nutrition
and exercise to help prevent your stress
from worsening into burnout.
Number two, allowing negative feelings to faster.
It's normal to sometimes feel nervous, sad, or angry.
But it's important to take note
of persistent anxiety, sadness, or hopelessness
as well as irritability with other people.
Mild symptoms of these may become increasingly serious
as you approach burnout.
Similarly, with physical difficulties such as insomnia.
If these are left unaddressed,
they can grow into severe burnout.
So it's important to manage these early before they worsen.
Number three, not taking breaks.
We said burnout occurs from prolonged stress with work.
This may happen when you work harder
and forget to take breaks in the process.
Maybe pressured by external forces
or personally driven to achieve success.
But if you keep working your yourself to the bone
without any proper breaks,
you may be putting yourself in danger of burnout.
Taking a vacation might bring you some temporary relief
but it's better to take regular breaks from work
and try to recharge.
Number four, keeping your problems to yourself.
Burnout has also been traced to working conditions
that cause stress such as unreasonable time,
pressure and workload expectations.
Unfair treatment, lack of role clarity,
and lack of communication and support from a manager.
If you feel as though you're being treated unfairly at work,
or if expectations are unclear, you should discuss
these issues with your manager, supervisor
or a trustworthy person of authority that can help you.
Keeping these issues to yourself
and tolerating poor work conditions
will likely lead to burnout.
It's important to communicate these problems
with the appropriate person.
While this can seem daunting, you can raise your concerns
in a professional and polite manner.
Number five, staying in the wrong job.
Sometimes the main problem may turn out to be
that you've been feeling stuck or trapped
in the wrong position, or even the wrong job.
Clarity of your current roles can help you figure this out.
Your current job might not provide
the right learning opportunities for you
or the career growth that you desire.
Perhaps it doesn't challenge you enough
in aspects that you're interested in improving on
or maybe you're overqualified for your job
and are simply lacking stimulation or a chance to flourish.
We might not be able to choose our dream job
but assessing your needs and exploring options
may lead to greater fulfillment
or at least help you figure out the way forward.
And number six, neglecting personal life.
By constantly working hard and pushing yourself,
you may have neglected your personal life.
By directing all your time and energy toward work,
you may grow weary of the same people and environment.
Making a point to set aside time
for your personal life relationships,
personal hobbies, and interests, and me time
is essential for your mental health.
Attending to your personal life
is part of taking a break from your work and recharging.
Otherwise you may grow increasingly cynical about your job
and the people you work with as you move closer to burnout.
Although burnout is not defined as a medical condition,
the qualified mental health professional
can help you overcome it.
Please do not hesitate to reach out
to one for professional guidance.
Do any of these habits resonate with you?
Have you found ways to prevent or combat burnout?
Let us know in the comments below
and please share this video with others
who you think it might help.
The references and studies used
are listed in the description below.
Until next time site goers, take care
and thanks for watching.
(upbeat music)