Burnout and the Act of Balancing

WWCode Mobile launched the Let's Talk series with its first session on "Burnout and the Act of Balancing." This blog post is a culmination of my research and the productive discussion that took place during our session.

At its core burnout is a feeling of exhaustion and a sense of being overwhelmed that can leave you feeling disconnected from the world around you. The thing is, burnout is not a personal failure, and it's not something that you can simply snap out of. Instead, it's a very real and human experience that many people face at some point in their lives.

As we navigate through the ups and downs of life, it is common to experience symptoms of burnout like physical and mental exhaustion and emotional fatigue. We may have even found ourselves wondering how burnout differs from stress. While stress can often be a response to a specific situation, burnout can be a prolonged state of exhaustion, both physically and emotionally.

Burnout can be caused by various factors, such as an imbalance between work and personal life – a negative workplace culture, a heavy workload, and insufficient support or recognition. These factors may affect women who are primary caregivers even more. In many cases, women are expected to bear the primary responsibility for caring for children, elderly parents, or other family members. Consequently, women may find themselves constantly trying to manage multiple obligations, such as work, household chores, and caregiving, without sufficient resources or support. There are other cultural and societal factors such as the glorification of overworking and wearing burnout as a badge, negative attitudes towards self-care or taking time off, and the societal expectation that we prioritize the needs of others over our own. But remember, we cannot pour from an empty cup. It is important to take actions to manage burnout if it occurs or preferably before it occurs.

This can be done by:

1. Prioritizing self-care: Take some time to do activities that help you relax, for example painting, exercise, spending time with family and friends, and a walk in the park.

2. Taking time off: If possible, take time off to rest and recharge. Use your PTO at work, and see if your company offers sabbaticals.

3. Setting boundaries: Say no to tasks that might contribute to burnout. Have a clear boundary between work and personal life in order to create balance.

4. Seeking support: Talk to a friend, family member or mental health professional about how you feel.

Additionally, organizations can support employees who are experiencing burnout by:

1. Encouraging open communication

2. Promoting mental health awareness

3. Providing support and resources

4. Evaluating workload and job demands frequently

5. Training managers and supervisors to be empathetic

While experiencing burnout it is important to remember that you're not alone in your struggle and that many people have been there. By prioritizing self-care, seeking support from loved ones, and making positive changes to your work and personal life, you can regain balance and overcome burnout. Remember to be kind to yourself throughout this process.