Burnout is a state of emotional, physical, and mental exhaustion caused by excessive and prolonged stress. Though it’s most often caused by problems at work, it can also appear in other areas of life including your personal life. Equipping workers with effective strategies to prevent and recover from burnout helps to maintain a person’s wellbeing, productivity and overall job satisfaction. Â
Signs and Symptoms of BurnoutÂ
The signs and symptoms of burnout are diverse and can include a range of physical, emotional and behavioural indications such as:
- Feeling exhausted consistently
- Losing motivation in many aspects of life – not just work but personal aspects such as hobbies and relationships
- Lack of drive, motivation, and passion
- Increase illness and sickness
- Increased anxiety, stress and feeling down
- Increased irritability and feeling short-tempered
- Negative thoughts and attitude
- Decreased productivity
How to prevent burnout?
In addition to understanding the signs and symptoms of workplace fatigue, it is important to discover ways to prevent and recover from burnout. Strategies for preventing burnout in the workplace can include:
- Taking regular breaks – utilising your annual leave (even if it’s a long weekend)
- Filling your free time with the right stuff and self-care – exercise, activities that bring you joy
- Leaning into your support network (family, friends)
- Ensuring you debrief after difficult chats/discussions with clients/people
- Being open about how you’re feeling – telling manager, colleagues – ask for help
- Establishing boundaries – set clear limits on your work and personal time to ensure you are able to recharge
Ways to recover from burnout
Strategies for recovering from burnout in the workplace can include:
- Seeking professional support – EAP, other mental health supports including mental health care plan through your GP; psychologist; counsellor
- Regularly exercise
- Taking time for self-care
- Taking leave – utilising your annual leave
- Doona Days – 1 mental health day per year – no medical certificate required
- Being open about how you’re feeling – telling manager, colleagues
How we can help
At Recovery Partners, we understand that prevention is better than a cure. That’s why we provide effective solutions to help look after a person’s wellbeing and assist them in preventing and recovering from burnout.
Employees Assistance Program
Employee Assistance Program (EAP) is a service you can offer your employees that provides them with free, confidential counselling conducted by a registered psychologist. Giving your employees the opportunity to access our EAP in times of emotional hardship will support them to address any personal or work-related issues that may be impacting on their mental health and ability to work at full capacity.Â
SafeMinds
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We also recommend our SafeMinds training program, a holistic approach to enhancing mental health in the workplace. Delivered by experienced and registered psychologists, SafeMinds covers a wide range of training topics including, but not limited to:
- Mental Health Awareness
- Psychological Injury Prevention and Management
- Stress Management
- Conflict Management
- Suicide Awareness
- Emotional Intelligence
- Manager Skills and Providing Feedback
Psychological Pre-Employment Testing
We understand that employees are the most important resource within a business. Psychological pre-employments provide highly reliable predictions about how a person will function within a role or organisation. Having the right people in place working effectively both as individuals and as members of teams is crucial to your organisational success.
Interested in keeping your workplace safe and providing expert knowledge to your workers? Learn more about how to prevent psychological injuries.
Want to find out more?
Our services are available nationwide. For more information about our services contact us.
Our consultants love to have a chat, so go ahead and give us a call on 1300 OHS RTW (647 789) or email enquiries@rrp.com.au
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Disclaimer – these articles are provided to supply general safety information to people responsible for OHS in their organisation. They are general in nature and do not substitute for legal and/or professional advice. We always suggest that organisations obtain information specific to their needs. Additional information can be found at https://www.safeworkaustralia.gov.au/Â