Our time has become more hectic. This applies not only to everyday working life, but also to private life. But especially in the working world, many employees and employers are not up to the permanent stress. The result is burn-out for many people. What are the reasons for this and how does it manifest itself? And more importantly, how can it be prevented and the consequences remedied?
What is meant by burn-out?
Especially in the working world, many employees and employers are not up to the permanent stress. The result is burn-out in many people. Burn-out comes from the English and means “burn out”. The term describes the feeling that those affected have. The causes are manifold and it is rather a bundle of symptoms, which can creep into the lives of us people little by little or clammy. It is true that the terms tension and overwork can provide a first orientation for the origin of the suffering. However, they are not sufficient, since, for example, a person’s social skills, character and organizational ability can also contribute to the ultimate burn-out. Nor can the syndrome be limited to certain occupational groups. However, it is certain that some, such as teachers, managers or the self-employed, are more likely to be affected than others.
Symptomatology
The problem with burnout is that stress and overstimulation occur in the lives of almost everyone. The individual symptoms can occur singularly and are nothing unusual in themselves. Those who notice several signs in themselves should in any case remain attentive. Further advisors as for example an article of the specialized portal Lexware.de give in addition references. For example, if you don’t sleep through the night or are chronically tired, you should try to find out what is causing it. Furthermore, persistent nervousness, dizziness or headaches are signs. Circulatory problems or headaches should also make potentially affected people take notice.
Consequences in everyday life
There are social, mental, emotional or physical consequences that gradually become apparent in the daily lives of burnout sufferers. Sleep problems can grow into an inability to get any rest at all. Tinnitus or hearing loss can also occur with high levels of stress over a long period of time. Colds, exhaustion, or other milder ailments are also experienced. Excessive consumption of alcohol or abstinence from other stimulants (caffeine, nicotine) also sometimes indicate this. In addition to the physical consequences mentioned here, there may also be sexual aversion. But also in the social area many problems can be found. Generally, a blunting towards other people and a successive withdrawal from all human relationships, for example from friends or partners, can be observed. The decreasing ability or unwillingness to engage with other people results, for example, in sick leave or the permanent cancellation of appointments with social interaction. Emotionally, those affected initially experience helplessness to extricate themselves from their situation. This is accompanied by a slight excitability. Disillusionment, which can extend to diagnosed depression or suicidal thoughts, is another drastic emotional consequence. Problems remembering, overwork and lack of decision-making ability, as well as a lack of creative energy, can be cited as intellectual or mental problems.
Prevention and remedy
In this context, an important concept that has also gained acceptance in today’s working world is that of “work-life balance“. This means that work should not get out of hand and should be strictly separated from leisure time. In this day and age, we can be reached almost anywhere and at any time via short messages, emails, telephone, in other words, through the Internet and mobile technology. Employers and employees alike should draw a clear line here, if possible, at the beginning of the evening. A day of complete rest, on which the computer is not booted up and the phone can ring as long as it wants, may also be suitable ideas. This also applies to television, by the way. Otherwise, sports and relaxation techniques are suitable and should not be started when it is already too late. Sport strengthens the immune system, self-confidence and promotes health in general.Here, however, you should find a sport that you like yourself. Otherwise, motivation will suffer. As a preventive measure, employers can also consider offering company sports (for example, during the lunch break), vouchers for fitness studios or similar. Vouchers are even tax-deductible up to a certain amount. Nowadays, there are a lot of office jobs where lack of exercise and thus many physical ailments seem pre-programmed. Therefore, this is not only useful for potential burn-out candidates. Often it already helps to talk to familiar people in a relaxed atmosphere. Social contacts should be strengthened – perhaps without taking on too much. This also includes treating oneself to something for a change, instead of only putting one’s energy into work. Even if it sounds unusual: Humor at work creates a good and relaxing atmosphere. Privately, there are many possibilities. You can simply lie in the sun for an hour, go to the soccer stadium with old friends, enjoy a bubble bath with candlelight or a meal in a great restaurant – there are many different options here.
