Stress Management Tip of the Day: Job Burnout Prevention

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Stress Management Tip of the Day: Job Burnout Prevention

by Jack Singer, Ph.D.
Consulting Psychologist and Professional Speaker & Trainer

[contentbox width=”500″ borderwidth=”1″ borderstyle=”dashed” bordercolor=”000000″ dropshadow=”0″ backgroundcolor=”F5F5F5″ radius=”0″]This is the 1st of a series of cutting edge tips from the field of Stress Management from a stress management expert. If you have any questions, please feel free to call Dr. Jack at 1-800-497-9880 or email him on the contact page.[/contentbox]

“Burnout” has been defined as “a state of mental or physical exhaustion caused by excessive and prolonged stress.”

Job burnout is an insidious problem in the American workforce, among all levels of employees. Frequently undiagnosed, burnout may appear in job statistics of absenteeism statistics, in suicide rates, or in the development of chronic illnesses that keep employees from working. Ultimately, working oneself to death can be the disguise for job burnout.

Job Conditions That Lead to Burnout

The following conditions have been found to lead to burnout. Obviously, the more of these that a person has to deal with, the more the likelihood of burnout occurring:

Heavy workload
Long work hours and difficult deadlines
Little participation in decision-making
Poor communications within the organization
Conflicting or uncertain expectations from supervisors
Job insecurity
Lack of recognition
Poor advancement opportunities
Minimal support from supervisors or co-workers
Unpleasant or dangerous working environments or conditions

Stages of Job Burnout

Now, all of the person’s defenses are worn to a frazzle. She/he may be overwhelmed by feelings of hopelessness and/or helplessness. A lack of motivation, fatigue, cynicism and even suicidal thoughts may be present, along with major physiological symptoms. Frequent trips to medical specialists who run many tests and find nothing are common occurrences.

Preventing Job Burnout

Of course, being examined by a mental health professional is a wonderful preventive technique. But what steps can the employee take in order to avoid the symptoms of job burnout?

Feel comfortable delegating responsibility at work
Find outlets for frustration, like a brisk walk at noon, reading, listening to music, etc.
Become assertive and be able to say “no” to excessive demands on your time
Feel good about your accomplishments even if you don’t get recognized by supervisors
Avoid excessive alcohol, prescription drugs, nicotine and caffeine
Look everywhere for humor
Remain optimistic in the face of frustration
Learn to organize your time
Take frequent breaks
Practice good nutrition
Get plenty of sleep
Have a friend, spouse or colleague who is a good listener

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About the Author:

Dr. Jack Singer is a professional speaker, trainer and psychologist. He has been speaking for and training Fortune 1000 companies, associations, CEO’s and elite athletes for 34 years. Among the association conventions which Dr. Jack has keynoted are those which serve financial planners.

Dr. Jack is a frequent guest on CNN, MSNBC, FOX SPORTS and countless radio talk shows across the U.S. and Canada. He is the author of “The Teacher’s Ultimate Stress Mastery Guide,” and several series of hypnotic audio programs, some specifically for athletes and some for anyone wanting to raise their self-confidence and esteem. To learn more about Dr. Singer’s speaking and consulting services, please visit DrJackSinger.com and FunSpeaker.com or call him in the U.S. at (800) 497-9880.