The modern rhythm of city life leaves no chance for morally weak people. Sometimes the career ladder is like survival in the jungle - so many nerves, tears, efforts are needed to advance in the service. Every day at the same time, the employee comes to his workplace. Even if there is a generally friendly team, there are always individuals who are ready to "sit out" from their homes. This situation is exhausting and contributes to the appearance of stress and chronic fatigue. This is called "a person burned out at work."
How to understand the definition of "burn out"
Many people don't know how to understand this definition. Some of them will never experience such a syndrome in real life. What does "burned out at work" mean? After all, this phrase is not used in the literal sense.
The definition of "burn out at work" means a combination of the following symptoms:
- appearance of migraine, chronic headache (which the patient had not suffered before);
- psychosomatic manifestations of stress - these can be dizziness, pain in the back of the head or limbs, fainting, lack of air;
- vegetative-vascular dystonia;
- mental abnormalities;
- unwillingness to go to work in the team that you liked before;
- unwillingness to fulfill their duties even with an increase in material remuneration;
- trying to escape from problems in alcohol abuse or drug addiction;
- relations with relatives collapse;
- man is constantly in a state of irritation and dissatisfaction with his life.
Psychosomatic manifestations of the problem
These are the most serious consequences of the concept of "burning out at work". Alas, in our country one can still often observe a condescending attitude towards psychological problems. "He earns a lot - what else do you need?" - these are the condescending comments an employee listens to when trying to describe his condition.
At the last stages of the syndrome, manifestations appear at the level of psychosomatics. This is no joke here. The patient may suffocate, lose consciousness, suffer from severe headaches. Numerous examinations do not find the cause - after all, formally the person is he althy. The body reacts in a similar way to problems in the psyche. This is the essence of the psychosomatic side of the problem.
Stages of burnout syndrome
Psychology identifies threestages. on each of them, various methods of therapy and patient care are effective:
- "Emotional lift". The employee ceases to be pleased with monetary motivation. There is a growing feeling of emotional emptiness, indifference, unmotivated anxiety.
- "Loneliness in the crowd". The employee becomes more and more isolated. Some try to "escape" into alcohol and drugs. Attacks of anger, anxiety, aggression appear.
- "Illness of soul and body". Psychosomatic problems enter the scene. now the patient will not do without the help of a competent psychotherapist. In some cases, it is necessary to take psychoactive drugs. Even a job change will not have a noticeable effect on the patient's condition.
Who is most prone to burnout?
Theoretically, everyone can burn out at work. Much depends on the initial mental stability of a person. There is an opinion among psychologists that women are in no way inferior to men in terms of endurance. Moreover, among some professions, the percentage of burnout among male employees is higher.
Professions most commonly associated with burnout symptoms:
- teachers and lecturers;
- doctors in clinics who have to deal with the flow of visitors;
- social workers;
- investigators, pathologists, police officers.
Common mistakes employees make when trying to help themselves
Alas, in our country the concept of "burnat work" refers to a series of shameful concepts. After all, how can one not rejoice at a serious position and a high salary? Most often, people with a psychological education can understand exactly which paths of therapy can help a patient.
Dangerous advice given by people around a person with "burnout" syndrome:
- fly to rest for a week in another country;
- do sports;
- have sex;
- change sexual partner;
- buy yourself a new thing;
- go to the salon and change your hairstyle;
- get a tattoo;
- make repairs in the apartment.
These tips are not only useless, but harmful. if we are talking about a real psychological syndrome, then training in the gym can bring him to hospitalization. And flying to another country will not cause joy. and even more fatigue and irritation.
Methods of psychological assistance
Burned out at work? What to do? This question can arise even before the most successful employee. Psychologists' advice on what to do in such a situation:
- give yourself a break: take a maximum vacation and do something that brings real relief (in some cases, just reading a book while lying on the couch);
- do not be ashamed of your desires, you must be honest with yourself - if you just want to watch TV shows, then you should do so;
- with manifestations of psychosomatic problems - a series of consultations is needed withcompetent psychotherapist;
- in some cases, it may be necessary to take antidepressants and tranquilizers to stabilize the patient's condition with increased hysteria and psychoticism;
- in no case should you try to "drown" problems in alcohol - the patient will only aggravate it.
How to improve physical condition
In order not to burn out at work, regular physical activity is necessary. There is only one condition - it should not cause overwork. You should not carry a hated bar to prove to everyone around you your strength and endurance.
Most often effective exercises at a calm pace that do not cause a surge in hormones. These are yoga, swimming, stretching, Pilates, callanetics. Effective breathing exercises according to the methods of yogic practice - the so-called pranayama. Regular exercise will not only affect the physical condition, but also significantly improve the psycho-emotional background. The patient will become less irritable and anxious.
The problem of how not to burn out at work will go by the wayside if new hobbies appear. It can be a banal occupational therapy: modeling plasticine figures with a child, embroidery, sewing, knitting, drawing in computer programs or on a real canvas.
Prevention of professional burnout: how not to burn out at work?
In recent years, there are more and more patients of psychiatrists. And most often this contingent is educated and successful in theirprofession people. How not to burn out at work, when the boss and the team do not let you breathe, and the family is constantly sawing for various reasons? Here are some simple tips:
- solve problems as they come: minimize contact with people who cause negativity;
- avoid starvation - normal glucose levels keep the brain working;
- do not drink alcohol: it is a strong depressant;
- try to be as attentive as possible and do quality work, after which the emotional is completely removed.
Psychologists have an interesting technique: to imagine that for eight hours of being in the office a person, as it were, rents himself out. This time should not bring pleasure or satisfy ambitions. It's just eight hours that you have to mechanically experience, emotionally detached.
