Mental health has become one of the fundamental pillars for well-being and productivity in the workplace. Among the most concerning disorders is burnout, recognized by the World Health Organization (WHO) as an occupational disease.

Characterized by a state of chronic stress, burnout can lead to physical and emotional exhaustion, significantly affecting the quality of life of professionals.

What is burnout?

Burnout is a syndrome resulting from chronic workplace stress that has not been successfully managed. It manifests through physical and emotional symptoms such as exhaustion, mental detachment from work, and feelings of ineffectiveness.

According to several studies, including research by McKinsey and Forbes, burnout is more common in women. This is possibly due to work overload, unequal division of tasks, social pressure, fewer opportunities for career advancement, the impact of the pandemic, among other reasons.

It is also worth mentioning that burnout is more likely to occur among women of color, that is, Black women, mixed-race women, and other marginalized groups in society.

The 12 warning signs of burnout

Early identification of burnout signs is essential to prevent the condition from worsening. Furthermore, the symptoms can be divided into three categories, according to their severity. See below.

1. Yellow Zone (mild signs):

• Increased AnxietyConstant worries and a feeling of permanent alert.
• Increased IrritabilityDisproportionate reactions to everyday situations.
• Change in Energy LevelFluctuations between hyperactivity and constant fatigue.

2. Orange Zone (moderate signs):

• Insomnia or Excessive SleepDifficulty falling asleep or needing to sleep excessively.
• Difficulty ConcentratingDifficulty focusing on simple tasks.
• Social IsolationAvoid interactions with colleagues, friends, and family.
• Feeling of UselessnessA feeling that work has no purpose or value.

3. Red Zone (severe signs):

• DepersonalizationFeeling disconnected from oneself or from others.
• Persistent Physical ProblemsHeadaches, gastrointestinal problems, and other recurring illnesses.
• Continuous PessimismA consistently negative view of oneself and the future.
• Loss of PleasureActivities that were once enjoyable become indifferent.
• Self-Destructive ThoughtsRecurring thoughts of giving up or self-sabotage.

Burnout is a public health issue with responsibility shared by the private sector.

Burnout is a reality that affects thousands of professionals. Being attentive to the signs and seeking specialized help are fundamental steps for recovery and maintaining mental health.

Furthermore, remember: taking care of yourself is the first step towards a balanced professional and personal life.

However, it is not wise to place all the responsibility on the worker, since burnout is an illness caused by unhealthy working conditions.

In other words, being attentive to the signs and seeking help is everyone's duty. However, prevention must be linked to laws and public and private policies in the labor market. Including... NR-01 It becomes the gateway to this prevention.

Ways to prevent and combat burnout

First and foremost, it is important that more and more people have access to specialized psychological care, regardless of whether or not they have symptoms of burnout.

Secondly, and we will discuss this further later, there are training methods for improving the work environment, including the development of leaders and teams. It is crucial to emphasize that company leadership must literally lead the movement of transformation and knowledge acquisition to combat burnout and toxic work environments.

Now, some practices can also help balance work and personal life. See below:

• Self-knowledgeRecognizing one's own limitations and needs.
• Regular Physical ActivityExercise helps reduce stress and improve mood.
• Healthy EatingAdequate nutrients contribute to mental well-being.
• Quality SleepGetting a good night's sleep is essential for physical and emotional recovery.
• TherapySeeking psychological support to cope with emotions and challenges.

Training and development for combating burnout.

As mentioned earlier, leadership and companies have an important role to play in combating employee burnout.

First and foremost, priority should be given to training that generates and expands knowledge about toxic environments and work-related illnesses.

Therefore, it is worthwhile to seek out consultancies and services that prioritize the development of this leadership, as well as the maintenance of healthier, happier environments focused on people's well-being.

We have some of these services here. Take a look:

The Five Behaviors

A team-based learning experience, using an internationally recognized methodology, to promote connection, trust, better communication, and a healthy work environment.

Connection, Communication and Collaboration

Developing emotional intelligence to cope with challenging daily situations, applying methods for maturity and empathy in interpersonal relationships.

DiSC Workplace Workshop

Understanding different behavioral profiles, promoting development in relationships.

Listen now to the new LongVision podcast, which discusses the development of well-being and health in the workplace.