From Stress to Burnout Are You at Risk
Causes of Burnout and How to Manage Stress
By Marlene Wagner
Why Do We Suffer from Burnout?
Burnout occurs when we’ve been under chronic stress for too long. It’s like our emotional, physical, and mental systems just shut down.
Not too long ago, burnout was just a term people used to describe feeling overwhelmed. But now, it’s recognized as an official medical diagnosis.
That’s a big deal because, before this, many people thought they just had to tough it out and keep going.
Imagine this: you go to your boss and say you can’t take it anymore. The job, coworkers or the whole environment has you at your breaking point.
Back in the day, before burnout was a recognized diagnosis, your boss might have just told you to suck it up and push through.
We often tell ourselves the same thing. Even when we know things are beyond brutal, we think we should be able to handle it.
But if you’re dealing with burnout, trying to push through is the last thing you should do.
Common Causes of Burnout
Burnout happens when we’re pushed past our limits emotionally, physically, or mentally. It’s not just about being exhausted from working long hours.
It usually comes from feeling like you have no control over a stressful situation that just won’t let up.
You might have a workload that seems impossible, personal responsibilities that pile up, or feel like everything is a disaster waiting to happen.
Here Are Some Common Causes
Never-Ending Workloads: When your to-do list grows faster than, you can check things off.
Lack of Control: Feeling like you have no say in what’s happening in your job or life.
No Rewards: Putting in a lot of effort but not seeing any appreciation or results.
Lack of Support: Feeling isolated and like no one has your back.
Feeling Alone in Your Struggles: Believing that you’re the only one going through tough times.
Toxic Environment: Being in places that go against your values or harm your health.
While burnout is often job-related, it can also happen at home or in your social life. Try to avoid these situations if you can.
If you think you or someone you care about is at risk of burnout, it’s a good idea to talk to a counselor or mental health professional.
As with any health issue, prevention is the best approach.
Who Gets Burnout? Are You at Risk?
You might feel like you’re handling stress just fine. Maybe you assume it’s the same level of stress everyone deals with, and for now, it’s manageable.
But it’s worth asking yourself: Are the issues in your life putting you at risk of moving from everyday stress to full-blown burnout?
Burnout and stress are closely linked. Chronic stress, or constantly dealing with stressful situations, can lead to burnout.
On the flip side, regular doses of stress can be beneficial. It’s part of your body’s natural defense system, prepping you to quickly confront or escape a threat.
However, burnout happens when you’re constantly in that high-alert state.
Your mind, body, and emotions are constantly under attack until they can’t take it anymore.
Even the most inflexible person can reach a breaking point after enduring relentless stress.
Am I a Candidate for Burnout?
First, think about your job. Do you love what you do? If you wake up excited to go to work, your stress probably isn’t overwhelming.
It’s a good sign that chronic stress isn’t waiting for you the moment you clock in.
Now, consider your life outside of work. Do your daily activities stress you out? Burnout is less likely if stress isn’t a constant part of your life.
Burnout stems from constant, inescapable stress. Whether it’s at work, home, or elsewhere, it’s that unending stress that feels like it will make you explode.
Some jobs are more prone to causing burnout. Here are some of the most stressful occupations:
- Retail
- Surgeon
- Fast food worker
- Social worker
- Air traffic controller
- Construction worker
- Teacher
- Nurse
- Certified public accountant
- Firefighter
- Emergency medical technician
But even if your job isn’t on this list, it doesn’t mean you’re safe from burnout. Consistent stress is harmful no matter what you do.
If stress is becoming too big a part of your life, consulting a mental health professional is a good idea.
Stress Awareness Checklist
Why Stress is Bad
Managing stress is essential to understanding its nature, purpose, and effects on the body.
The “fight or flight” response is an evolutionary adaptation that helped our ancestors survive:
- This response releases chemicals that, while potentially harmful in the short term, offer long-term survival benefits.
- It’s a severe bodily reaction to perceived threats.
Problems arise when ongoing situations rather than acute events trigger this response:
- Acute stress comes from one-time, life-threatening events that can’t be controlled.
- Long-term stress comes from repetitive, non-life-threatening events that can’t be controlled.
- Acute stress is “good” because it aids survival.
- Long-term stress is “bad” because it harms physical and mental health.
There’s a difference between pressure and stress:
- Pressure is from a unique, performance-based situation you can control.
- Stress is from ongoing situations you can’t control.
Common Causes and Symptoms of Stress
The main difference between acute and long-term stress is how long the stressor lasts. Common causes of acute stress include:
- Noise
- Crowds
- Hunger
- Danger
Long-term stress is more dangerous because it can lead to serious health problems. Common causes include:
- Work pressure
- Relationship problems
- Loneliness
- Financial worries
Long-term stress strains the entire body and increases the risk of:
- Heart disease
- Stroke
- Immune system disorders
- Gastrointestinal disorders
- Sleep disorders
- Death
Tips for Dealing with Stress
To manage stress effectively, incorporate enjoyable, stress-relieving activities into your daily routine. Some everyday activities include:
- Listening to or playing music
- Caring for a pet
- Regular and vigorous exercise
Simple Stress-Relieving Exercises
Stress-relieving exercises are great for reducing stress regularly. Many are easy to learn and simple to perform, such as:
Breathing Techniques: These send a clear message to your body that the stressor has passed.
Stretching Techniques: These reduce muscle tension caused by stress, stopping the body’s production of stress hormones.
By understanding stress and actively working to manage it, you can help protect your overall health and well-being.
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Until next time, starting today, make yourself a priority and begin living your best life.
But before we go, always remember to
Be true to your magnificent self,
Coach Marlene
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Email: parkavenueunlimited@midco.net
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