Burnout Without Overwork: Is It Possible?
‘Burnout’ is a term that most people are familiar with nowadays, with hustle culture and demanding workplaces taking centre stage. Burnout is defined as a state of emotional, mental and often physical exhaustion brought on by extended or repeated stress. While most of us associate burnout with overworking or problems at work, it’s actually possible to reach burnout without working really long hours. You may also experience burnout related to other areas of life, such as parenting, caretaking or in romantic relationships - any situation where you feel overworked and undervalued.
Why Burnout Happens
In some cases, a person can work a large number of hours consistently or invest a lot of time into something and remain free from burnout. In others, some people end up experiencing burnout from the same situation. What’s the difference?
Our personality traits and lifestyle factors can impact whether we experience burnout or not. Lifestyle factors could include not getting enough sleep, people-pleasing or taking on too many responsibilities, lack of work-life balance or lack of supportive relationships. Personality traits that could impact burnout include being a high-achiever, perfectionist, needing to be in control or being a pessimist.
In addition to overwork, a lack of control or lack of recognition at work can be a factor that causes burnout. Unclear expectations can have just as much effect on burnout as unrealistically high ones, or working in a chaotic environment.
How Burnout Affects Mental Health
Burnout involves feelings of exhaustion or energy depletion, resulting in feeling empty and devoid of motivation. Often, this shows up as a burnt-out person not caring anymore and feeling as though they cannot achieve any positive changes in their situation. This is in contrast to stress, where you feel as though there are too many pressures that need to be taken under control before you’ll feel okay again.
Depression and burnout share some similar symptoms; however, depression involves experiencing negative emotions with all areas of life, not just those that have been causing chronic stress.
What Burnout Does to Your Brain
It’s common knowledge that chronic stress can have both mental and physical impacts on our body. However, it can also impact our brains by thinning the grey matter in the prefrontal cortex. This weakens the area, which can have an effect on our ability to retain information and pay attention, so we’re more likely to make mistakes.
It also enlarges the amygdala, which is where our flight-or-fight response resides. This can generate more fear and anxiety, taking us back to a more primitive level.
Can Burnout Be Diagnosed?
Burnout is not a diagnosable psychological disorder, but it is something that a psychologist can help you overcome. It’s difficult to see the way out when everything feels bleak and you lack the motivation to create positive changes in your situation. This is why it’s important to seek support from someone who is trained to help you get your life back into balance and cope with your stressors.
The Midland psychologists at Psychwest can help you to overcome your burnout and get back on track today. Contact us now to book your appointment.