What is Burnout Syndrome at Work?
Why do we often see this term on social media lately? Even though many people may not know its true meaning, they might unknowingly raise their hands in agreement. Hey! This term fits our lives so well, so how can we fix it? Does it require treatment? And is this condition just a feeling of boredom as some people think? We have answers from Dr. Pitch Pisesit, a specialist in preventive medicine at Premier Life Center, Phyathai 2 Hospital.
Q: What is burnout syndrome at work?
Dr. Pitch: “Burnout Syndrome” is caused by chronic accumulated stress from work that is not properly addressed. This leads to psychological and emotional changes and may also affect the body, such as headaches and sleep problems.
Q: What are the symptoms of this condition?
Dr. Pitch: There are several symptoms, which can be divided as follows:
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- Exhaustion: feeling tired and fatigued
- Negativism: having a negative outlook, feeling bored with work, lacking motivation
- Professional Efficacy: decreased work performance
Q: What are the causes of burnout syndrome at work?
Dr. Pitch: Burnout syndrome usually results from multiple factors combined, as follows:
Personal Factors
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- Being overly serious, inflexible, and perfectionistic
- Having unrealistic high expectations and trying to control everything
- Family problems, such as marital conflicts leading to divorce, causing accumulated stress
- Working too hard without rest due to multiple responsibilities beyond work, such as caring for sick or elderly parents, supporting children, or paying off family debts
Work-related Factors
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- Working in an unfamiliar area, having to solve problems alone without advisors, leading to chronic stress
- Workload not matching the number of staff, such as having many tasks within limited time but few personnel, and lacking necessary equipment, causing accumulated stress
- Not being recognized, feeling neglected, and receiving low or inappropriate compensation for the workload
- Conflicts with colleagues or supervisors, creating a tense work atmosphere
- Being in an unstable organization or one with inefficient systems
Q: What should I do if I feel burned out at work?
Dr. Pitch: Treatment involves addressing the root causes of your burnout, which vary by individual, along with behavioral adjustments as follows:
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- Start with what may seem basic but important: get enough rest, eat nutritious food, and avoid all kinds of addictive substances
- Exercise regularly for at least 30 minutes, about 3-4 days a week
- Adjust sleep habits by not staying up too late, focusing on both quantity and quality of sleep
- Learn to be flexible in various situations and be open to others’ opinions
- Smile and create a positive work atmosphere and good relationships with colleagues
- Adjust your work environment and seek inspiration, such as reading motivational books
- Organize your work by prioritizing tasks and, if possible, avoid bringing work home. Make time for yourself and your family after work each day
- Ask for help from colleagues or those around you if you feel overwhelmed or too tired
- Practice positive thinking, give yourself compliments, recognize your value, look for opportunities in crises, and find good aspects in things you perceive as negative
- Reduce attachment and expectations; live based on reality
- Engage in relaxing activities during free time, such as playing music, meditating, or practicing mindfulness
- You may take a vacation to travel and relax from stress
Burnout syndrome is not depression. Therefore, if symptoms are mild, you can manage them yourself as mentioned above. However, if symptoms do not improve or worsen, it is recommended to consult a doctor or specialist.
Q: How long does treatment and adjustment take?
Dr. Pitch: The duration of treatment depends on the severity of the burnout, as well as other related factors such as cooperation in behavioral adjustment, mental foundation, and support from family and those around you.
See, every problem has a solution. The most important thing for many problems is to try to start fixing yourself. This will help resolve issues effectively. Just look at everything realistically with an open mind. Similarly, with burnout syndrome, if you accept that you are feeling this way and address it appropriately, the happiest person will be none other than yourself… Wishing you happiness at work.
