Sound Health Counseling – Laura Tauzin – York, PA

Are you feeling tired?  Looking forward to the weekend and it’s only Monday?  Pessimistic about your work or find it to be meaningless?  Have you snapped at others because there never seems to be enough time in the day to get things done?  Are you overly committed to your job?  Is your job mundane or stressful and no matter how hard you try you feel you cannot change the environment?  If so, you have probably experienced burnout.  

According to Ayala Pines and Elliot Aronson burnout is a state of physical, emotional, and mental exhaustion caused by long-term involvement in an emotionally-demanding situation (a cause, way of life, or relationship) https://www.mindtools.com/pages/article/avoiding-burnout.htm

Signs of burnout include:

1. Having a negative and critical attitude at work.
2. Dreading going into work, and wanting to leave once you’re there.
3. Having low energy, and little interest at work.
4. Having trouble sleeping.
5. Being absent from work a lot.
6. Having feelings of emptiness.
7. Experiencing physical complaints such as headaches, illness, or backache.
8. Being irritated easily by team members or clients.
9. Having thoughts that your work doesn’t have meaning or make a difference.
10. Pulling away emotionally from your colleagues or clients.
11. Feeling that your work and contribution goes unrecognized.
12. Blaming others for your mistakes.
13. You’re thinking of quitting work, or changing roles.

Causes of Burnout

• Lack of autonomy
• Feels as if there is never enough time to complete tasks
• Your values don’t align with the organization
• Having unclear goals or job expectations.
• Working in a dysfunctional team or organization.
• Experiencing an excessive workload.
• Having little or no support from your boss or organization.
• Lacking recognition for your work.
• Having monotonous or low-stimulation work.

There are numerous consequences of burnout, however change is possible.  If you recognize that you are experiencing burnout, are unsure of the next steps, and you desire to put your life back on project status.  Give me a call at SHCS.