Professional Burnout: Symptoms, Life Impacts, and Strategies for Prevention

Dernière mise à jour de l'article le 11 November 2024

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In this article, I’m diving into a topic close to my heart: work-life balance and, more specifically, burnout.

Did you know that one in three European workers report health issues due to work-related stress? In France, the number of people taking time off for work-related illness, particularly due to burnout, has increased sevenfold in just five years.

This is, in my view, a significant societal trend in a time where many people are seeking more purpose in both their personal and professional lives.

Work-life balance isn’t just an individual concern; it’s a collective one that businesses should pay more attention to.

What is Work-Life Balance?

Achieving balance in life means feeling aligned and in harmony with who we are and the values that are meaningful to us—across all areas of our lives: family life, professional life, social life, and personal time.

We tend to focus on just a few areas, like health, family, and work, but in reality, our lives cover many facets, such as:

• Money & Finances
• Health & Well-being
• Career & Business
• Physical Environment
• Spirituality
• Social Contribution
• Fun & Leisure
• Personal Growth
• Love & Relationships
• Family & Friends

So, what does balance look like?

Well, that depends. Each person will have their own definition of the balance they want to achieve. We need to understand our own equilibrium across these areas, taking the time to define it for ourselves, and channelling our energy towards improving our personal satisfaction.

Unfortunately, this balance can be disrupted by internal or external factors; in the case of this article, it’s burnout that can impact us in the realm of work and career.

Every area of life is interconnected. It’s our source of happiness. If one area is significantly out of balance with our ideal, it affects the others, leading to a domino effect on our overall life. This is why it’s essential to identify these major imbalances early on, so we can take steps and establish action plans.

Here, let’s focus on burnout and work-related stress, affecting nearly one in two people in France.

Note: It is entirely possible to experience burnout in one’s private life or as an entrepreneur. Here, however, I’ll focus particularly on employees in the professional world.

What is Professional Burnout?

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), burnout is characterised by “a feeling of intense fatigue, loss of control, and inability to achieve tangible results at work.”

The Douglas Institute, a mental health organisation, adds that “Burnout stems from disproportionate efforts (in time, emotion, and commitment), low satisfaction from these efforts, and stressful workplace conditions.”

It’s worth noting that, at the time of writing this, professional burnout isn’t yet officially recognised as a mental illness by the WHO. The WHO currently categorises burnout under “problems associated with difficulties managing life”, with a subcategory of “vital exhaustion.”

Did you know that only Italy and Latvia in Europe currently recognise burnout as an occupational illness?

Symptoms of Burnout

The symptoms of burnout are both psychological and physical and can be difficult to detect, as many people feel shame in discussing them.

Given that burnout is classified by the WHO as a “problem associated with life management difficulties,” it’s understandable why people might not want to admit to struggling with life management.

In the workplace, burnout symptoms are often first attributed to organisational issues or challenges with personal work management.

However, burnout isn’t merely about life management or work organisation. Its root is far deeper, stemming from the very nature of the work itself, the sense of purpose behind it, and the organisation as a whole—including both management and company structure. Blaming only the affected individual overlooks the broader organisational context.

Some common symptoms include:

• Physical
  • Increased susceptibility to illnesses like colds and flu
  • Muscle fatigue, back pain, migraines, dizziness, skin problems
  • Emotional turbulence (anger, crying)
  • Withdrawal and isolation from others
• Psychological
  • Persistent demotivation towards work, regardless of activity
  • A feeling of inadequacy, failure, or lack of competence
  • Sleep disturbances, constant fatigue, insomnia, difficulty concentrating at work
  • Feelings of persecution or insecurity
  • Decreased self-confidence and self-esteem

If you experience several of these symptoms, I strongly recommend consulting a health professional, such as your GP or the occupational health service at your workplace.

How Burnout Affects Other Areas of Life

Burnout impacts not only our work but also other areas of life.

It has a direct impact on our health and well-being. People struggling with burnout may develop physical illnesses or symptoms such as chronic fatigue, migraines, gastrointestinal issues, and respiratory problems.

This situation also affects our family and social spheres. Loved ones often feel helpless in trying to provide support, while those experiencing burnout may withdraw and avoid discussing their feelings. Family members can also suffer from mood swings (anger, sadness) without understanding the true cause. In burnout, friends are often no longer a priority. Too exhausted or feeling ashamed, sufferers may avoid social interactions to escape the inevitable question, “How’s work going?”

Over time, every area of life shifts and adjusts to this new reality, creating a vicious cycle. The lack of motivation and energy to engage in meaningful activities or relationships leads people to withdraw, cutting themselves off from restorative, enjoyable activities outside of work.

Reflections to Help Prevent Burnout

It’s not easy to recognise burnout, which can differ for each person. If you think you might be struggling with it, one solution is to talk to a health professional who can guide you towards effective strategies.

One of the earliest warning signs—what I’d call the ‘orange zone’—is your stress level. We all know that a bit of stress can be beneficial in certain situations, providing that burst of adrenaline. But chronic stress, or stress that persists without breaks or a “return to normal,” is harmful to health.

Listen to your emotions. It’s normal to feel both positive and negative emotions. However, if you find yourself stuck in a cycle of negative emotions, ask yourself why. What’s behind these feelings?

Listen to your body. As we mentioned, if you’re constantly exhausted, experiencing back pain, or facing digestive issues, it may be your body’s way of signalling that something isn’t right.

Understand your limits. Building self-awareness is key. Assess if the work expected of you is realistic. Step back and identify what genuinely motivates you day-to-day. What inspires you? Why do you get out of bed in the morning? Take time now to define your core values and find motivation outside work, like a hobby, friendships, family time, or joining a local community group.

If you’re not familiar with your values, I suggest listening to the first six episodes of my podcast, Le Quart d’Heure d’Inspir’Action.

Try identifying a source of motivation outside of work before reaching the ‘orange zone.’ Once burnout sets in, it’s much harder to regain perspective on your own.

Remember, you’re not alone.

Speak to a health professional (such as your GP) who can help you out of this situation.

If you’re feeling unmotivated, lost, or in search of meaning in your professional life, don’t hesitate to reach out for a chat about your situation.

Source : – https://rhepair.fr/burnout-in-the-workplace-un-rapport-eurofound/ – https://ssq.ca/sites/default/files/archives/ac/Chroniques_sante/epuisement_professionnel.pdf – https://www.passeportsante.net/fr/Maux/Problemes/Fiche.aspx?doc=epuisement-professionnel-pm-prevention-de-l-epuisement-professionnel