According to a study by Health Promotion Switzerland, 300,000 employees are at risk of burnout. This can manifest with different symptoms. More than half of workers suffer from at least occasional back pain, constant fatigue, internal tension, weakness or sleep disturbances. A feeling of deep exhaustion and an inner emptiness is typical. Also often headaches, digestive problems or tinnitus occur.
anxiety and stress
The fact that we are available at all times makes one out of every four people alarmed. However, it is becoming increasingly easier for many people to better deal with smartphones and the like. Although this stress factor has decreased in comparison, new results of digitalization in the workplace are emerging. Employees worry that they will not be able to cope with new technologies and will be replaced by robots or computers.
It’s important to note that it’s not just people at work who experience burnout. Mothers and teens can also be severely affected. Burnout often hits people who are extremely determined and conscientious. The consequences can be seen at the psychological and physical level as well as in social behavior.
What does this mean specifically?
In the mental realm, those affected complain of exhaustion and inner emptiness. They show depressive and aggressive features. Often the ability to concentrate is weakened. Physically, digestive disorders, headaches, insomnia or a great need for sleep arise.
Taking care of people is neglected. There is almost no free time left. Drug use (coffee, alcohol, nicotine) compensates for social life. Mistakes are covered in the workplace. And they’re trying to make up for it with increasing overtime. This creates a vicious circle.
These 10 signs indicate burnout
The State Secretariat of Economic Affairs (Seco) has compiled a list of signs that indicate burnout:
- Decreased productivity despite more effort.
- Withdrawal and neglect of family, friends and acquaintances in favor of work.
- suppression of personal needs.
- Frequent feeling of irritability, tiredness and exhaustion.
- Poor concentration, more forgetfulness than before.
- Constant feeling of being overwhelmed.
- Difficulty motivating yourself to work.
- Tendency to cynicism and cynicism.
- Negative evaluation of study results.
- Increased consumption of substances that make you alert and productive.
The more warning signs and the more often they apply, the more likely you are to suffer from burnout. Then you need professional medical or psychological help. Employers often look the other way. Even though this is a duty of care towards his employees and he has to worry about their health. For now, too many employees are taking advantage of it—just incurring high medical costs in their absence.
This is how you protect yourself from burnout
- Maintain social contacts.
- Apply professional restraint.
- Do endurance sports regularly.
- Use relaxation techniques such as yoga.
- Practice a deep breathing technique.
- Set priorities.
- enough sleep.
- Learn to say no.
- Get professional help early.
Source: Institute of Occupational Medicine (performance)
Requirements for recovery:
insight. Only then can you ask for help. The recovery process is accompanied by a family doctor or psychiatrist. Maybe you need a break or part time work. Remembering where you used to find strength and picking up that activity again.