08 Feb Why Coaching For Work Burnout Is Important
What Can A Work Burnout Coach Do For You?
Burnout is a serious problem that affects many people in the workplace. It is characterized by feelings of exhaustion, disillusionment, and a lack of motivation. If left untreated, burnout can lead to physical and mental health problems, decreased job performance, and even unemployment. However, there is hope. With the help of a professional coach, you can learn to manage your stress, regain your energy, and return to work with a renewed sense of purpose.
What is Burnout?
According to the World Health Organization, burnout is a syndrome resulting from workplace stress that has not been successfully managed. It’s characterized by three dimensions: feelings of energy depletion or exhaustion, increased mental distance from one’s job or feelings of negativism or cynicism related to one’s job, and reduced professional efficacy (World Health Organization, 2019).
Burnout is a state of emotional, physical, and mental exhaustion that results from prolonged stress. It is often caused by a combination of factors, including long hours, high workload, poor work-life balance, and a lack of control over one’s job responsibilities. People who suffer from burnout may experience symptoms such as fatigue, insomnia, depression, and anxiety. They may also feel a lack of satisfaction and fulfillment in their work, and have difficulty motivating themselves to complete even the most basic tasks.
How prevalent is burnout in the workplace?
According to a 2022-2023 Aflac WorkForces Report, more than half (59%) of American workers are experiencing at least moderate levels of burnout, a notable increase over 2021 (52%) and on par with the levels reported in 2020 at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.
How do you know if you are burned out at work?
When people come to us for coaching for burnout at work they usually describe feelings of being “bored,” “exhausted,” unmotivated,” “cynical,” “critical,” “depressed,” “exhausted,” “impatient,” “disillusioned,” “overwhelmed,” “frustrated,” or “feeling like a robot.”
Examples of what people experience
Many people who come to me for coaching have experienced decreased job performance. Some are referred by their boss or their HR department after a poor work performance review or incident at work. They may report using substances to manage the stress such as prescription or non-prescription drugs, and some report drinking more.
People experiencing burnout usually report feeling physically and mentally overwhelmed and also feeling fatigued. Some report an inability or reluctance to make decisions. Many report losing motivation at work, and a feeling of hopelessness. Some report not being able to sleep and some have suicidal thoughts.
Is therapy or coaching better to address work burnout?
This is a personal decision based on what you feel might be most helpful to you and the extent that the symptoms are affecting your life. For people who are struggling with severe symptoms of burnout such as anxiety, depression, and exhaustion, therapy may be a better option. A therapist is a mental health professional who can help you explore the myriad of root causes of your burnout and provide a safe and confidential space. Once this is done, they can then help you to develop healthy coping strategies.
For individuals who are looking for practical solutions to set new goals, to explore career options, to deal with new work challenges, or to improve their work-life balance, and/or prevent burnout without delving deeply into personal or past issues, coaching may be a better option. A work burnout coach can provide support, guidance, and tools to help people manage their stress and improve their overall well-being in the workplace.
Ultimately, the choice between therapy or coaching for work burnout should be based on your specific symptom severity, needs, preferences, and goals. It may be helpful to get an initial consultation with both a coach and a mental health professional to determine which may be the best approach for you.
What happens when work burnout is not addressed by coaching or therapy?
When someone is experiencing burnout at work, their motivation and energy levels decrease. They sometimes resort to destructive ways to manage symptoms creating further physical and mental health problems. This typically affects their job performance, which can result in missed deadlines, work errors or omissions, negativity, decreased productivity, and sometimes cause lost work time or job loss. It can also affect personal relationships.
How does work burnout affect physical and mental health?
Burnout can also have serious consequences for an individual’s physical and mental health. People experiencing burnout may suffer from physical symptoms such as headaches, stomachaches, intestinal issues, high blood pressure, fatigue, appetite changes, frequent illness, and a weakened immune system.
Mental health symptoms include anxiety, depression, sleep disorders, concentration issues, loss of interest or pleasure, and suicidal ideation. This can spiral to a decrease in a sense of personal accomplishment, increased feelings of inadequacy, a feeling of worthlessness, and a reduced ability to handle stress.
Why is Coaching For Work Burnout Important?
Coaching can help you recover from burnout by providing you with the tools and support you need to manage your stress and regain your energy. A professional coach can help you identify the underlying causes of your burnout, such as an imbalanced workload or a lack of control over your job responsibilities. They can then work with you to develop strategies for addressing these causes and reducing your stress levels.
Coaching can also help you rediscover your passion for work. By working with a coach, you can identify your strengths, values, and goals, and develop a plan for aligning your work with these factors. This can help you find meaning and purpose in your work, which can be a powerful motivator in overcoming burnout.
What Can Coaching Do for You?
Coaching can do many things for you, including:
Help you identify the underlying causes of your burnout: A coach can help you identify the underlying causes of your burnout and develop strategies for addressing them.
Teach you stress management techniques: Coaching can teach you effective stress management techniques, such as mindfulness, deep breathing, and time management, that can help you reduce your stress levels and regain your energy.
Explore career options and opportunities, if that is the direction you decide to explore. By reviewing the pros and cons of any career change you can help make better, more informed decisions on how to move forward.
Learn how to manage a toxic work environment. Is your boss or company culture affecting your stress levels and physical and mental health? A coach can help you to decide how to navigate these situations so you don’t feel like you have to do this alone.
Provide you with support and encouragement: A coach can provide you with support and encouragement as you work to overcome your burnout. They can help you stay motivated and on track, even when work situations become difficult.
Help you rediscover your passion for work: By working with a coach, you can identify your strengths, values, and goals, and develop a plan for aligning your work with these factors. This can help you find meaning and purpose in your work, which can be a powerful motivator in overcoming burnout.
Refer you to resources to get help for issues that can sidetrack your performance. Health and mental health care systems can be difficult to navigate. Having someone to help you access services.
Hold you accountable can make a big difference in changing your situation for the better.
Increase your job satisfaction: By addressing the causes of your burnout and developing strategies for reducing stress, coaching can help you increase your job satisfaction and improve your overall well-being.
In summary, burnout is a serious problem that affects many people in the workplace. It is characterized by, decreased job satisfaction and motivation, decreased productivity, exhaustion, cynicism, ineffectiveness, increased stress, negative feelings towards work, and detachment from work and colleagues. If you are experiencing these symptoms, it is important that you address these symptoms before they worsen. A coach can help you to identify and manage the source of burnout. Some ways to do this include helping you to better manage stress, address physical symptoms, improve work-life balance, communicate differently with your boss or peers, or explore career options. All of these interventions can result in a renewed sense of purpose and well-being. If you are struggling with burnout, consider contacting us to speak with a coach today. With the help of a coach, you can overcome this challenging time and get back to performing your best at work.
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