Burnout syndrome

Burnout syndrome is a condition that affects a large proportion of workers. But what really is it and how can we identify it?

What is burnout syndrome?

Recognized by Ministry of Health of the Federal Government, burnout syndrome is also known as mental exhaustion syndrome.

Burnout happens when people go through situations every day that put them under great stress, or when they have to deal with situations of pressure, demands and great responsibilities.

Sometimes burnout can happen due to the environment in which the person works or because of themselves, for example in cases of people who have recently acquired leadership positions and have not yet learned how to delegate tasks.

And in addition to being harmful to health and causing problems in everyday life, this syndrome can end up leading to other psychological disorders and serious health problems.

Especially during the pandemic, this issue was brought to the surface, as due to the remote work the line between departure time and what should be leisure became very thin and almost non-existent.

It is common in professionals such as journalists, doctors, nurses, firefighters and others who hold positions of great responsibility.

How to identify?

It is a serious condition that can significantly affect an individual's physical and mental health, as well as their productivity and quality of life.

It is important to highlight that burnout is not just a “bad day” or occasional tiredness, because we all have that, but when it starts to be persistent, more attention should be paid.

And it is important for anyone to know the signs and symptoms of burnout syndrome, especially for leaders who need to keep an eye on their teammates' changing behavior.

Therefore, if you notice that you or someone close to you has been experiencing the following symptoms and signs, try to seek or offer help:

• Isolation;
• Excessive mental and physical fatigue;
• Very frequent headache;
• Insomnia;
• Difficulty concentrating;
• Muscle aches;
• Insecurity;
• Constant pessimism;
• Sudden changes in mood;
• Gastrointestinal problems;
• Rapid heartbeat.

These are the main symptoms, and they can start mildly and take on greater proportions in a short time.

The biggest problem is that we often don't know how to identify burnout syndrome, as we end up looking at isolated symptoms, which can mean other things.

Therefore, it is important that workers undergo psychological counseling, especially if they already have a tendency to anxiety or depression disorders.

Avoiding burnout syndrome

A simple way to avoid burnout within the company you work for or manage is by establishing limits and teaching your employees the importance of adhering to them.

Leaders have a fundamental role in promoting the importance of mental health in the professional environment, they will be the example to be followed by their colleagues.

Another way to establish this culture of mental health in the company is by teaching stress management techniques, which consist of meditation, breathing methods, physical exercises and others.