Beating Burnout

Take outs:

• Burnout is an occupational phenomenon resulting from unmanaged chronic workplace stress, characterised by exhaustion, cynicism, and reduced efficacy.

• It impacts individual health and organisational efficiency, making it a critical issue for business owners facing high demands. 

• Business owners often work long hours under tight deadlines, leading to increased stress and less time for recovery. The constant connectivity of current technology blurs the lines between work and personal life, making it harder to disconnect.

What is Burnout? 

Burnout can affect both physical and mental health, it is an ‘occupational phenomenon’ caused by work-related pressure rather than from other life stresses. An increasingly pressing issue, it affects the wellbeing of both individuals and organisational efficiency.

The risk of burnout becomes more pronounced for business owners, due to the demanding nature and relentless workload of owning a business.

Mounting pressure from tight deadlines and high client expectations mean business owners are often working extended hours, leaving little room for rest and recuperation. This constant pressure erodes mental and physical health over time.

The World Health Organization defines burnout as “a syndrome conceptualized as resulting from chronic workplace stress that has not been successfully managed. It is characterized by three dimensions:

• feelings of energy depletion or exhaustion;
• increased mental distance from one’s job, or feelings of negativism or cynicism related to one's job; and
• reduced professional efficacy.

Burn-out refers specifically to phenomena in the occupational context and should not be applied to describe experiences in other areas of life.”

According to Dr. Adam D. Borland, PsyD – Clinical Psychologist at Cleveland Clinic, a licenced clinical psychologist specialising in integrative adult psychology, people have a difficult time saying no and maintaining necessary boundaries, especially given the significant impact that technology has in today’s working environment. Dr Borland notes that the rise in technology has led to a blurring of lines between work and rest, as being accessible 24 hours a day takes away our ability to disconnect from work.

Studies show that burnout is becoming more common across the world, in many different domains of work. As the boundary between work and leisure fades with modern technology and ways of working we’re more connected than ever. This makes it increasingly difficult to switch off from work. The ability to constantly check emails and Slack messages means that our thoughts revolve around work all the time – with no off switch.

• Establish a daily routine, including practicing mindfulness.
• Build breaks and personal check ins into your schedule.
• Start to build and enforce work-life boundaries.
• Get creative, such as exploring a hobby.

Physical Health

• Sleep. Ensure you get enough sleep. Aim to get 7-9 hours per night.
• Exercise. Regular exercise releases endorphins, these trigger positive feelings in the body and act as mood elevators.