Work Burnout: How to Spot the Signs & Get Support

“I feel so burned out!” How many times have you heard yourself or a friend say this? Burnout has become an all-too-common problem, especially in our “always on” society. The lines between work and home have become blurred, creating chronic stress and tension. It’s no wonder so many people feel like they’re at the end of their rope.

Defined as “exhaustion of physical or emotional strength or motivation usually as a result of prolonged stress or frustration,” burnout is most often associated with work, but it can also be caused by other things such as caregiving and even parenting.

When asked if they experienced burnout at their current job, 77 percent of people said yes, according to a survey involving more than 1,000 participants by Deloitte. Moreover, 83 percent believe burnout negatively affects their personal relationships. And a whopping 91 percent of respondents report that chronic stress or frustration impact their job.¹

Since burnout is a growing problem for many workers, it’s important to keep an eye out for signs and symptoms so you can take a proactive approach to reduce your stress.²

• Mental and/or physical exhaustion and fatigue
• Feelings of hopelessness or despair
• Feeling trapped and like nothing will ever get better
• Tired of doing the same thing over and over
• Feeling or becoming more isolated
• Negative thoughts about your job/distancing yourself from work-related activities
• Difficulty concentrating/lack of motivation
• Diminished performance
• Struggle to get out of bed in the morning
• Feeling stuck creatively
• Physical symptoms such as digestive issues
• Changes in your mental health, such as depression and anxiety

Here are a few of our expert recommended ways to overcome burnout (some of them may surprise you!).

One of the most profound ways to heal and protect against physical and mental health issues, including burnout, is to practice love and compassion — for yourself and others. Treat yourself as you would others, with love, acceptance, and forgiveness.. Helping others allows you to get out of your own head for a while and be present for someone else, so consider doing something special for your loved ones. Tonglen, a Buddhist meditation practice, involves exchanging suffering with love and compassion. You take in suffering, transform it in the heart into love and compassion, and then offer love and compassion to others. Watch this video to learn more.

Open heart meditation, practicing love and compassion for ourselves and others is our greatest healer and protector against physical and mental health conditions. This unique form of meditation helps relieve stress and anxiety while also promoting a sense of calm and peacefulness. It also increases joy — the very opposite of burnout.  

Learn more about open heart meditation here.

Isolation is a telltale sign of burnout, and it often leads to feelings of being overwhelmed. One of the keys to reducing stress, depression and burnout is to become a part of a community and surrounding yourself with loved ones. Community connection is a proven way to help boost your mental health and emotional wellbeing. It also helps bring purpose to your life.

According to research, people who have a sense of security, belonging, and trust in their community report better health compared to those who are isolated or marginalized. Some ways to increase your connections to the community include volunteering, picking up trash, and getting involved with organizations locally.

Sometimes, getting away from it all really is the best cure for burnout. Don’t be one of those people who never uses your vacation days. Life is too short, and the work will still be there when you get back. Let’s be clear: We’re not talking about a vacation where all of your time is spent answering work emails or scrolling through endless social media posts or videos. We’re talking about truly unplugging and letting yourself be in the moment — and enjoy it! Need more proof? One study linked a good vacation and fewer stressful days for up to five weeks afterward.³

One of the best supplements for alleviating stress and improving mood is HonoPure 98% pure honokiol. Extracted from the bark of the magnolia tree, honokiol has been shown in studies to provide a range of mental health benefits, most notably relaxation, better mood, cognitive function, neurological wellness, and more.⁴ HonoPure is the purest, most potent form of honokiol extract available on the market.

If you’re struggling with burnout and burnout symptoms, try these tips and make sure to prioritize your mental health. It matters.

Sources

1. Workplace Burnout Survey. Deloitte website. Updated 2015. Accessed May 5,2022.
2. InformedHealth.org [Internet]. Cologne, Germany: Institute for Quality and Efficiency in Health Care (IQWiG); 2006-. Depression: What is burnout? [Updated 2020 Jun 18]. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK279286/
3. Blank C, Gatterer K, Leichtfried V, Pollhammer D, Mair-Raggautz M, Duschek S, Humpeler E, Schobersberger W. Short Vacation Improves Stress-Level and Well-Being in German-Speaking Middle-Managers—A Randomized Controlled Trial. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. 2018; 15(1):130.
4. Rauf A, Olatunde A, Imran M, et al. Honokiol: A review of its pharmacological potential and therapeutic insights. Phytomedicine. 2021 Sep;90:153647.