Burnout syndrome or "burned-out worker": when should you take a break?

Have you ever heard of this syndrome? At Officechair365, we are going to tell you what you need to know about burnout syndrome: what it is, how to know if you are suffering from it, and finally we will give some recommendations how to cope with it.

It is undeniable that the world of work is changing. Whether at the political, technological, or social level, the truth is that professional activities we carry out today are very different from what was needed a couple of centuries ago. The level of specialisation is higher, as is the complexity, and the mental demand is often greater than the physical effort.

In this sense, character and personality greatly influence how we cope with difficulties, but so does the social and work environment in which you must act. If any of these pillars fail, problems such as work addiction tend to arise.

Probably you heard that many people suffer from what is known as "burnout syndrome" or burned-out worker syndrome. If you are unfamiliar with the concept, this post will explain what burnout is, how to identify its signs, and offer guidance on how to address it.

Let’s get started!

What is the burnout syndrome?

The burnout syndrome or "burned-out worker syndrome" is a mental state of a working person who is in an extreme situation of stress, anxiety, or depression primarily due to their work environment.

One of the key traits of this syndrome is its chronicity. That is, it is not about isolated moments, but rather a condition that persists over time.

Herbert Freudenberger was the first psychologist to describe it, observing its effects on various social workers carrying out their tasks in the Bronx neighborhood of New York.

Although it seems isolated, it is actually a very common mental state, which is why many sick leaves are often related to this syndrome.

How to know if you are suffering from burnout syndrome?

To know if you might be affected by this mental state, here are some signs:

- You have a permanent feeling of exhaustion even if you sleep enough hours;

- you feel like a failure and have low self-esteem regarding your work future;

- you suffer from a constant apathy, a state in which you are indifferent to the situations happening around you;

- anxiety episodes are more frequent, in addition to being more irritable;

- you communicate worse, either due to laziness or lack of motivation (this especially happens if it is a complicated situation);

- you do not maintain focus on your work and get distracted very easily, which translates into lower productivity.

Moreover, anyone can be a victim of this mental state. It has often been believed that these types of conditions occur more frequently in people who work in public-facing jobs, but in reality, there are many factors that can trigger the onset of this syndrome.

In fact, it has been shown that a poor work environment, with bad relationships among colleagues or with superiors, precarious working conditions, and little recognition for work are major triggers.

Recommendations to combat burnout syndrome

What can you start doing to face this situation?

- In fact, the ideal is to seek psychological support, especially if your company has this type of professional. Share your situation with them, and they will surely be able to provide you with the best solutions.

- Establishing healthy habits is also essential, especially if you are working from home. Remote work brings many advantages, such as the opportunity to have an office in your own home (with a large desk just for you and a suitable ergonomic chair) and having a more flexible schedule.

However, these are double-edged swords, because you can also have a feeling of "no disconnection" and even physical problems if you do not have the right equipment. Exercise, move, and eat healthily, the three ingredients of happiness.

- Adjust your expectations, in a broad sense. Many times we idealise a profession, a task, or a situation that later can lead to disappointment. Or perhaps just the opposite: we think the worst of any circumstance, and it turns out to be a wonderful professional opportunity for you. Life takes many turns, and often anticipating too much about something that has not happened is very counterproductive.

Have we helped you better understand what burnout syndrome or "burned-out worker" is? At Officechair365, we care about your health and want you to invest in yourself and your workspace.

Visit us on our Officechair365 website and take advantage of everything we can offer you for your office or home workspace. We look forward to seeing you!