Experiencing Job Burnout? Here’s How To Deal With It

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A 2021 Deloitte survey involving 1000 respondents revealed that approximately 77% had experienced burnout in their jobs. This type of burnout occurs when you feel physically and emotionally exhausted due to your job. Moreover, you experience a loss of personal identity and reduced accomplishments. Career burnout can be devastating to your health, as it can increase your risks of developing cardiovascular diseases, respiratory conditions, type 2 diabetes, etc. You also risk getting anxiety, irritability, depression, anger, and other mental conditions. If you’re currently experiencing job burnout, here’s what you can do to fix it. 

1. Take a break 

Sometimes, a break from the usual work routine is enough to regain your desire for your job. However, this isn’t the usual five-minute break or a few days off work. You may need to take a full vacation to destress and practice self-care. Indeed, taking a vacation comes with its benefits. For starters, you can decrease your cortisol levels when you hang out and have fun with loved ones without the thought of work deadlines. Moreover, you’ll find it easier to get new energy and motivation for work after relaxing your body and mind. According to Forbes, many companies leverage vacations to battle high burnout rates among their employees, crediting their benefits. 

However, your vacation may be pointless if you still attend to work-related tasks. Therefore, ensure that you’re away from work. You can begin by effectively communicating with your team members that you wouldn’t be available during your vacation. Also, it’s prudent to keep your replacement up-to-date with important contacts and notes to prevent them from calling you when you’re away. 

2. Switch up your work responsibilities 

Another factor that causes burnout is boredom at work. A Udemy survey revealed that approximately 43% of workers feel bored at their jobs. Another research indicates that workers feel bored for 10.5 hours weekly, amounting to 68 days annually. Other research articles state that workers leave their jobs because they aren’t being challenged. Workplace boredom can lead to sadness, demotivation, and anxiety if not addressed immediately. Also, killing work time, low self-esteem, and feeling disconnected at work are signs that your job is tedious. 

Therefore, it’s important to look out for these signs and deal with them effectively. It’s prudent to speak to your HR manager about other career options that fit your skills, experiences, and values. Moreover, you can request that they include tasks that challenge you and increase your motivation. 

3. Change your workspace

Your workspace can cause your lack of motivation for your current job. You’d find it helpful to change where you work to reduce your risks of developing burnout. Research by Becker Friedman Institute for Economics indicates that 30% of workers were more engaged and productive when working from home. If you feel that working in the traditional workspace setting stresses you out, you can arrange with your managers to work from home. 

It’s also prudent to separate your work life from household activities to avoid increased stress. Fortunately, you don’t have to be stuck at home when remote working. You can choose to work from a coffee shop, a park, or a place that keeps you less stressed.

There are several ways to combat job burnout without leaving your current job. However, you can consider changing your career if you’re still demotivated after trying several options. That said, going for a job you enjoy will prove helpful. For instance, a career in direct care services will be a great option if you enjoy working with seniors or people with disabilities.