Posted:
17.10.2024 16:13:12
Doctor talks about emotional burnout and how to avoid it
Emotional burnout is a state of physical and mental exhaustion caused by chronic stress and excess workload, Alina Medved, sanitary expert with Minsk Regional Centre for Hygiene, Epidemiology and Public Health, told sb.by
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“It’s not a tiredness that goes away after a good rest. Emotional burnout impacts all aspects of a person’s life: work, personal relationships, health. We have to be aware that burnout develops slowly and, if ignored, can have serious consequences,” she said.
The expert talked further about gradual development of symptoms. Many do not recognise their condition early on, waiting for the symptoms to become unbearable. They include chronic exhaustion, a generally negative outlook on life and professional prospects (‘We’ll get nowhere no matter how hard we try’), along with increased petty irritability, insomnia, headaches, gastrointestinal issues, muscle tension.
Ms. Medved offered some very good advice on how to prevent emotional burnout.
“First of all, you should set up a comfortable work schedule for yourself, arranging your tasks by time and priority, and planning short breaks. Find your work-life balance, leave your work issues at work, and do your best to handle professional problems from the office only. Burnout sets in once the edge between your work and home life starts to blur, and the work swallows the better part of your life. Your evenings and weekends should be your own,” she said.
The expert also recommends regular exercise, starting with daily 15 minutes long walks. A balanced diet is good: more fruits and vegetables, less caffeine and sugar. Also, pay attention to your sleep schedule: at least 7 or 8 hours per day with no gadgets for 2 hours before bed. Find an interesting hobby for yourself: spending time doing something engrossing and enjoyable takes your mind away from routine daily work.
“It’s not a tiredness that goes away after a good rest. Emotional burnout impacts all aspects of a person’s life: work, personal relationships, health. We have to be aware that burnout develops slowly and, if ignored, can have serious consequences,” she said.
The expert talked further about gradual development of symptoms. Many do not recognise their condition early on, waiting for the symptoms to become unbearable. They include chronic exhaustion, a generally negative outlook on life and professional prospects (‘We’ll get nowhere no matter how hard we try’), along with increased petty irritability, insomnia, headaches, gastrointestinal issues, muscle tension.
Ms. Medved offered some very good advice on how to prevent emotional burnout.
“First of all, you should set up a comfortable work schedule for yourself, arranging your tasks by time and priority, and planning short breaks. Find your work-life balance, leave your work issues at work, and do your best to handle professional problems from the office only. Burnout sets in once the edge between your work and home life starts to blur, and the work swallows the better part of your life. Your evenings and weekends should be your own,” she said.
The expert also recommends regular exercise, starting with daily 15 minutes long walks. A balanced diet is good: more fruits and vegetables, less caffeine and sugar. Also, pay attention to your sleep schedule: at least 7 or 8 hours per day with no gadgets for 2 hours before bed. Find an interesting hobby for yourself: spending time doing something engrossing and enjoyable takes your mind away from routine daily work.
