How To Avoid Burnout At Work

Work Burnout is a term being with much more frequency now. Although not much work has been done to formally define the term the WHO stated that it is roughly defined as “a state of vital exhaustion conceptualized as resulting from chronic workplace stress that has not been successfully managed” and characterized by 1) A sense of Exhaustion or Depletion 2) Negativity or Cynicism about work and 3) Decreased effectiveness at work.

It is not hard to see how and why workplace burnout is gaining notoriety. People work more hours than they have in the past, yet wages are below the 1960s wage to cost of living metrics and job security is lower because there is so much workplace competition.  

The only option that one has is to attempt to successfully manage their workplace burnout. Unfortunately, not a great deal of work has been done on this topic but what little has been done has shown that those who recover do so by shifting their minds focus away from work when not at work. Let’s look at some quality options for doing this. 

Martial Arts: Martial arts has taken a resurgence in popularity over the last decade. Whether it is boxing, Jui-Jitsu, or kickboxing these are all good physical outlets that let one focus on a craft outside of work and provide a positive boost to their self-image.

Going To The Gym: People who go to the gym to exercise live longer and healthier lives. Going to the gym after a long day of work may seem like a chore at first, but it becomes somewhat addictive, especially as the individual begins to see the positive results both physically and mentally. It is important to always practice proper form to avoid injury.

Hiking: Many people have turned to hiking to get their minds off of work. Hiking has functioned especially well because one gets to leave the urban world behind entirely for some time. Just like the previous examples, exercise promotes positive thinking and a positive self-image.

It is important to always take proper precautions and do good planning when undertaking a hike. Having the right gear is extremely imperative. There are many options for men’s and women’s hiking boots, backpacks, jackets, etc.

Being trail safe means not wandering off the trail and telling people beforehand where one is planning on going.

Dietary Changes: How well the body is operating is, at least in part, a reflection of what it eats. Taking a visit to the doctor or a nutritionist can help an individual determine what, if any, changes need to be made to one’s diet. 

Seek Counseling: Sometimes one’s mental state needs more than exercise and a diet change to accomplish the changes they would like to see. While the understanding of workplace burnout is not where it could be much more work has been done on it over the last few years as the condition has been on the rise in the population. 

Adam Richards

About Adam Richards

Adam Richards is a semi-retired business professional originally from Bangor, Maine. He spent the majority of his career in sales and marketing where he rose to the marketing lead of a Fortune 1000 company. He then moved on to helping people as a career counselor that specifically helped bring families to self-sufficiency through finding them rewarding careers. He has now returned to Bangor for his retirement and spends his free time writing. This blog will be about everything he learned throughout his career. He'll write on career, workplace, education and technology issues as well as on trends, changes, and advice for the Maine job market and its employers.