"Do you work to live or do you live to work?" Is a question we very aptly address to people who work long hours, at a point of weariness.
The years that you were awakened every morning to go to school, university, or meet a friend are over. But if you feel a burden holding you in bed when the alarm goes off and you don't want to get up with anything, then there may be a problem.
If your bad feelings get worse once you get to work and feel exhausted, then you should look for whether you have burnout syndrome or Burnout Syndrome. This term was first used in 1974 by the German psychologist Herbert Freudenberger to describe a state of depletion of mental health professionals in their work environment.
However, only recently has the World Health Organization included it on the list of diseases.
However, only recently has the World Health Organization included it on the list of diseases.
What is exactly Burnout
When we talk about job burnout, we do not mean the fatigue that one may feel after many hours of work, not just the stress of work. Burnout is not synonymous with other terms such as "job stress", "work fatigue" and certainly not the same as depression.
In Japan, known for exhaustive labor relations, there is the word "karoshi" which means sudden death, which is due to exhaustion from overwork. In July 2013, 31-year-old Miguel Shanto, a reporter for the NHK public television in Tokyo, was found dead in her apartment because of heart failure. Later it became known that the young journalist had made 159 hours of overtime in the last month of her life, taking only two days off from work. It was the first death officially designated as 'karoshi', although such inhumane phenomena had been present in Japan since the 1960s.
Of course, when we talk about burnout syndrome we do not mean it, although sometimes the boundaries are vague. The term Burnout describes long-term exhaustion, which is combined with other unpleasant feelings such as a lack of interest in our work, frustration, anger, frustration, pessimism, melancholy, and more. It is often accompanied by headaches, insomnia or drowsiness and decreased appetite.
In Japan, known for exhaustive labor relations, there is the word "karoshi" which means sudden death, which is due to exhaustion from overwork. In July 2013, 31-year-old Miguel Shanto, a reporter for the NHK public television in Tokyo, was found dead in her apartment because of heart failure. Later it became known that the young journalist had made 159 hours of overtime in the last month of her life, taking only two days off from work. It was the first death officially designated as 'karoshi', although such inhumane phenomena had been present in Japan since the 1960s.
Of course, when we talk about burnout syndrome we do not mean it, although sometimes the boundaries are vague. The term Burnout describes long-term exhaustion, which is combined with other unpleasant feelings such as a lack of interest in our work, frustration, anger, frustration, pessimism, melancholy, and more. It is often accompanied by headaches, insomnia or drowsiness and decreased appetite.
Therefore, Burnout is a state of emotional, physical and mental exhaustion caused by excessive stress and long hours of work.
Burnout reduces productivity and removes all energy, making you feel you have nothing to give. You feel increasingly helpless, desperate, cynical and impatient. Workplace fatigue can increase the risk of an accident at work or heart problems.
The consequences of this syndrome can affect your family and social life, especially if you are accustomed to getting a job at home.
In addition to stress and long hours at work, the problem is the lack of a supportive workplace and home environment, poor relationships with colleagues, lack of social relationships and quality leisure time, as well as personality traits.
Burnout reduces productivity and removes all energy, making you feel you have nothing to give. You feel increasingly helpless, desperate, cynical and impatient. Workplace fatigue can increase the risk of an accident at work or heart problems.
The consequences of this syndrome can affect your family and social life, especially if you are accustomed to getting a job at home.
In addition to stress and long hours at work, the problem is the lack of a supportive workplace and home environment, poor relationships with colleagues, lack of social relationships and quality leisure time, as well as personality traits.
It's never too late
Whether you're in the early stages of Burnout or in advanced condition, it's time for action.
Experts recommend the 'Three R' approach from the words recognize, reverse and resilience.
• The first step is to look at the warning signs.
• The second step is to deal with the damage.
• The third step is to create a durable environment.
Once you have recognized the problem, you are much closer to the solution. If you understand that you have a problem, then you can change the problematic areas of your work or life.
Experts recommend the 'Three R' approach from the words recognize, reverse and resilience.
• The first step is to look at the warning signs.
• The second step is to deal with the damage.
• The third step is to create a durable environment.
Once you have recognized the problem, you are much closer to the solution. If you understand that you have a problem, then you can change the problematic areas of your work or life.
Few Tips
-Trust the problem to your friends and family, talk about it and you will feel liberated. Talking to another person alone can help.
- Develop friendly relationships with your colleagues. Take a break with them instead of talking on the cellphone or surfing the web. Having strong links in the workplace can help reduce monotony and counteract the effects of burnout.
-Remove yourself from people in your work environment who are "toxic". If you have to work with such a person, limit your company to what is absolutely necessary.
-If you have no friends or no one to cover you, make new friends. Also, join a group with which you have common interests (social, religious, hobbies, etc.). Contact with like-minded people will give you a motivation in life.
-If you do not like the work you do, then it is advisable to choose something that touches you. Of course, this is not always easy, especially if you have a family and obligations to pay. In such a case, focus on aspects of your job that you like. Changing attitudes towards your work can help you regain a sense of purpose and control. Avoid getting bored at work at home.
- Develop friendly relationships with your colleagues. Take a break with them instead of talking on the cellphone or surfing the web. Having strong links in the workplace can help reduce monotony and counteract the effects of burnout.
-Remove yourself from people in your work environment who are "toxic". If you have to work with such a person, limit your company to what is absolutely necessary.
-If you have no friends or no one to cover you, make new friends. Also, join a group with which you have common interests (social, religious, hobbies, etc.). Contact with like-minded people will give you a motivation in life.
-If you do not like the work you do, then it is advisable to choose something that touches you. Of course, this is not always easy, especially if you have a family and obligations to pay. In such a case, focus on aspects of your job that you like. Changing attitudes towards your work can help you regain a sense of purpose and control. Avoid getting bored at work at home.
-If you hate your job but can't do otherwise, look for meaning and satisfaction in other areas of your life such as family, friends, a hobby or volunteering. First and foremost, focus on what brings you joy.
-When you feel that you have fallen asleep, ask for leave and go on vacation. Every break from your work, whether it's less like a day off or bigger like a leave, can help you recharge your batteries.
-Remember that good sleep helps, while insomnia increases your irritation. Try to sleep at least 8 hours every night and you may see your work "with another eye".
Relaxation techniques such as yoga and meditation help your body and mind to relax and shield you from stress. Exercise is an annoying activity but also mild activities like walking.
In any case, if you understand that you have AD, it's time to reassess your priorities in life.
-When you feel that you have fallen asleep, ask for leave and go on vacation. Every break from your work, whether it's less like a day off or bigger like a leave, can help you recharge your batteries.
-Remember that good sleep helps, while insomnia increases your irritation. Try to sleep at least 8 hours every night and you may see your work "with another eye".
Relaxation techniques such as yoga and meditation help your body and mind to relax and shield you from stress. Exercise is an annoying activity but also mild activities like walking.
In any case, if you understand that you have AD, it's time to reassess your priorities in life.
Source: «HelpGuide», «iatropedia», «Journal of Social Issues»
By Dr Angel,
Aggeliki Koskeridiou
Holistic Doctor – Counseling Psychotherapist
Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine
MSc Health Psychology
