What is the Difference Between Stress and Burnout?

But you don’t necessarily have to be on the verge of being fired to enter the burnout zone: “It’s also common to develop a sense of perceived failure or a negative evaluation of yourself, such as: I’m not good at this. I can’t handle this. I don’t want to do this anymoreDr. And this self-doubt can lead you to believe that the quality of your work is declining (even if others may not notice it), Maslach says.

5. Your usual stress relievers probably won’t magically ‘fix’ burnout symptoms…

There are many of us Something Whether it’s a good workout, drinks with friends, or an episode (or three) to look forward to after a tiring weekday mindless TV show. However, Dr. According to Gold, burnout drains your energy so much that even activities you once relied on for balance no longer work.

For example, maybe in the past I love cookingbut now you order takeout every night; Not because you feel like it, but because you can’t muster the motivation to chop, sauté, or even boil water. Or maybe you’ve always found peace in traveling a few miles before heading to the office; But for the past few months, lacing up your running shoes and dragging yourself out the door has felt like a chore. Basically, as usual self care It no longer relieves your stress and may indicate a more chronic problem such as burnout.

6. …and neither of them will take a few days off.

Again, burnout doesn’t just come from an overly busy month or demanding assignments. Rather, this is rooted in more systemic issues, like constant pressure from higher-ups, lack of support, or a constant stream of emergency calls (or urgent emails) that keep you busy at all hours of the day.

a while peaceful holiday can alleviate some Dr. Among your symptoms, legal burnout may not help much, according to Maslach. “The biggest problem is that these breaks often don’t change the source of your burnout,” he explains; Even the most relaxing escape won’t address issues like a toxic boss, unrealistic expectations, or the lingering fear of layoff. For example.

That’s why all the experts we spoke to agree: Workplaces and employers need to step up and make real changes towards a more supportive, positive environment. However, Dr. Since this won’t happen overnight (unfortunately), one of the best things you can do is talk to your boss about ways to improve your situation, suggests Neal-Barnett.

This might mean, for example, reducing your workload or adjusting your schedule so you don’t work back-to-back night shifts. And if that doesn’t get you anywhere, it might be time to start working on an exit strategy by exploring new openings, networking with former colleagues, or saving up for a short career break, because no job is worth sacrificing your mental health. .

Whatever your next steps are, be sure to give yourself grace. “Remember, you’re not lazy. You’re not a failure because you feel that way,” says Dr. Gold. What’s clear from the experts above: Burnout is a serious problem and a reflection of a broken system, not your value.

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