What does burnout do to the body?

In this article here, Miss Kiki Iordanidou, a highly respected psychologist, speaks to us in detail about burnout, including the associated symptoms, how it affects our body, and how one can recover from the emotionally, mentally, and physically debilitating condition.

What is the meaning of burnout?

Burnout is something that affects the individual in an emotional, physical, and mental way. It is a prolonged period of constant and elevated stress that can take place in a work setting or in personal life. Feelings of frustration, hopelessness, apathy, changes in sleeping patterns, frequent illnesses, and a feeling of inadequacy, are some of the most common signs. 

What are the symptoms of burnout that people should look out for?

There are quite a number of symptoms related to burnout. Some of the most common symptoms include the following:

• constant tiredness
• inability to complete daily tasks
• procrastination 
• frequent health-related problems 
• changes in the sleeping or eating patterns 
• muscular pain 
• headaches 
• feeling of failure and lack of accomplishment 
• negative thinking and feeling of hopelessness 
• reduction in work performance

What does burnout do to the body?

There are many ways that the body can give signs that something is not right. Muscular pain, headaches, heart-related conditions, insomnia, eating disorders, general intense physical tiredness, and high blood pressure are some of the most common. There needs to be a consideration that a prolonged exposure to stress or burnout has a serious impact on the body.

What are the most common causes of burnout?

Common causes of burnout include monotonous and boring jobs that create a lack of mental stimulation, a high expectation of standards, or long working hours under stress, lack of praise or recognition of achievements in the work environment, difficult or dysfunctional relationships, and criticism. 

How does burnout differ from depression?

There are some similarities but also differences between depression and burnout. Burnout is usually linked to the work environment while depression is not necessarily. Burnout is also related to stress, while depression is mostly related with feelings of sadness, hopelessness, and a loss of interest. 

How can one recover from burnout?

The initial step is to recognise what causes the burnout and identify which area of your life it is related to. Focus on eating and sleeping as well as possible. Also, if possible, engage in whatever physical activity you enjoy the most as much as you possibly can.

Miss Kiki Iordanidou is a highly revered London-based psychologist who can help you recover from burnout. Consult with her today via her Top Doctors profile.