What in the World is Burnout Anyway

Are you feeling exhausted, unproductive, and unhappy with your job? Do you feel like you’re constantly making mistakes and can’t seem to get anything right?

It sounds like you might be experiencing burnout, darling. This was definitely me, in 2020, at the height of the pandemic. (link to video about brand story) Burnout is a state of physical, emotional, and mental exhaustion caused by excessive and prolonged stress.

Unfortunately, burnout is a common problem among high-stress occupations, especially healthcare workers. The National Academies of Medicine (NAM) reported in 2019, that burnout had reached “crisis” levels with up to 54% of nurses and physicians, and up to 60% of medical students and residents, suffering from burnout. (https://nam.edu/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/CR-report-highlights-brief-final.pdf) As we all know, the pandemic put extra stress on us and our families.

Not sure if you’re experiencing burnout? Here are some signs:

• Exhaustion: Feeling tired and drained all the time, even after getting a good night’s sleep
• Decreased productivity: Struggling to get work done, or feeling like you are not achieving as much as you used to
• Decreased satisfaction: Feeling disillusioned with your job or career, or losing the sense of accomplishment that you used to get from your work
• Increased errors: Making more mistakes than usual, or having a hard time focusing and concentrating
• Negative attitude: Feeling negative or cynical about your job or coworkers, or losing motivation and enthusiasm for your work

If you are experiencing any of these signs of burnout, it’s important to take steps to manage your stress and prioritize self-care. This may involve seeking support from colleagues, taking breaks, and finding healthy ways to cope with stress. It’s also a good idea to talk to a mental health professional, who can help you develop strategies for managing burnout and improving your overall well-being.