LUBBOCK, Texas (KCBD) – A Forbes article released last year shows two-thirds of Americans were experiencing some level of burnout.
Nicole Noble, an assistant professor in the clinical mental health counseling program at TTUHSC, says that can create problems for those experiencing it.
“It often shifts the way a person feels about their work, their relationships, and even themselves,” Noble said. “It makes them feel depleted, detached, or they don’t have a sense of control or they’re not effective anymore at work.”
Noble says burnout typically occurs during “transitional phases,” like the end of the year or a school semester, but it can happen at any time.
“People can be in a sustained burnout state for an extended period of time,” Noble said. “They can still show up to work but just aren’t feeling as effective.”
Noble says it can be hard to see someone you know struggle with burnout, but there are warning signs.
“They may be experiencing physical symptoms,” Noble said. “Sleep deprivation, increased irritability can be a sign; a sense of what’s the point, why are we doing this?”
If you see a loved one struggling, Noble says encourage them to practice self-care, be supportive, listen, and recommend activities they used to enjoy.
She says with a greater focus on physical and mental health, these steps can go a long way in helping people get their lives back on track.
“I think we expect too much of ourselves often and don’t think we engage enough self-compassion,” Noble said. “The more we can recognize a workload throughout the day, ‘that was a long day, and I should engage in some restful activity now’, that could be helpful. We just want to push through and carry the workload for all, but if we can take care of ourselves, we’ll do a better job at everything else.”
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