What is Burnout?

Work burnout is a state of mental, emotional, and physical exhaustion resulting from extensive time spent on the job or involved in situations that are emotionally toxic. Burnout is also defined as excessive frustration or tiredness stemming from workplace stressors. The combination of disillusionment and fatigue has the potential to be defeating. Even if you work 30-40 hours per week, you have the potential to become exhausted, especially if you also have additional obligations outside of work. Although burnout can be prevented and also mitigated with timely periods of rest, there is still the underlying issue of disillusionment. 

In some cases, it is prudent to meet with a psychologist to address cynicism toward work and life in general, ultimately preventing debilitating disillusionment and burnout. If you fail to address such stressors burnout is much more likely to occur in due time. In particular, those who are overstressed in addition to working long hours tend to experience burnout when they reach the point at which they feel as though their labor has little-to-no meaning. Such a state of being, often referred to by conflict theorists as “alienation”, can lead to anomie and burnout. 

Even something as simple as losing a supervisor at work, being forced to change workplace roles, or taking on additional responsibilities can trigger alienation. When faced with such stressors, most people begrudgingly trudge forth without fully engaging with their work, paving a path toward cynicism, excessive fatigue, and a reduction in performance.

Signs of Work Burnout

Work burnout can manifest in several ways, be it behaviorally, emotionally, or physically. Take the time to read through the signs of work burnout and you’ll be empowered to recognize burnout in yourself as well as your family, friends, coworkers, and others. 

Above all, recognize that fatigue on its own or a general feeling of being overwhelmed does not qualify as burnout. Everyone experiences fatigue and stress resulting from work. Serious problems arise when excessive fatigue sets in and lasts, leading to self-destruction and total burnout.

Examples of the most common signs of work burnout include the following:

• Constantly thinking about quitting work
• Thinking about work in a negative manner
• Dreading work
• Desire to cut out early from work
• Difficulty sleeping
• Decline in energy
• Feeling empty inside
• Easily irritable
• Shifting blame to others
• Feeling unappreciated for hard work
• Taking too many sick days or personal time off to avoid work
• Increase in frequency of headaches
• Generally disconnecting from work, coworkers, and clients
• Feelings of alienation and anomie

If you experience a couple or most of the signs of burnout listed above on a regular basis there might be a problem. However, if you only occasionally experience one or several of those signs, you might be experiencing perfectly normal stress. Stress is typically brief while burnout lasts longer. Burnout has the potential to last indefinitely while normal stress dissipates in due time.

Causes of Work Burnout

Let’s shift our focus to what matters most in the context of work burnout: the why of the situation. Identifying the causes of work burnout sets the stage for action and the eventual elimination of those causes for heightened productivity and happiness. Overwork is one of the most common causes of burnout. People are taking on more work while receiving wages and salaries that have less purchasing power than in years past. 

Aside from overwork, burnout can also result from:

• Working with dysfunctional coworkers
• Insufficient support from supervisors
• A litany of other causes unique to individual situations

Contrary to popular belief, burnout can occur while working from home and also while working in traditional settings such as an office cubicle. 

Work burnout can also be the result of minimal or non-existent autonomy, meaning insufficient control over workflow and work responsibilities. Excessive micromanagement from those who are higher on the totem pole and over-controlling bosses create stress and frustration that paves a path to work burnout.

Though it might be surprising, some people experience burnout as a result of their personal values misaligning with those of their employer. Even the expectations of the employer in terms of action related to work that fails to align with the expectations of the employee create stress and burnout. However, more often than not, the primary cause of work burnout is a hefty workload that should be handled by several employees as opposed to a single individual.

How to Deal with Burnout at Work

You have the personal agency necessary to proactively address work burnout and eliminate it. If you know or suspect you are on the cusp of work burnout or already mired in it, be proactive by nipping the problem in the bud. Here’s a quick look at how to deal with burnout at work.

Maintain an Open Line of Communication with Your Supervisor and Coworkers. 

Be honest about your stress and fatigue resulting from work. Though it might seem challenging, it is in your interest to engage with your work. Find ways to add purpose to your job, be it through a shifting of responsibilities or forging new or deeper connections with colleagues or clients and you won’t dread work nearly as much. Take one or several mental health days to cleanse your mind, refresh your energy and build momentum for a more productive future. 

Implement a Self-Care Routine

If the solutions recommended above don’t reduce your stress and fatigue, invest a little bit of time studying stress management techniques. A self-care routine after work, taking more frequent breaks during the workday or even spending more time in nature to balance your indoor time with your outdoor time will reduce your stress and ultimately help you avoid work burnout. Even something as subtle as learning breathing techniques characterized by deep repetitive breaths can greatly reduce stress. 

Implementing Boundaries

Don’t be afraid to say “No” to requests from supervisors, colleagues, and clients, especially when those requests do not fall under the umbrella of your job description. If you are unqualified or incapable of fulfilling such requests, be honest and you’ll feel less stressed when working.

Incorporate Movement Throughout The Day

Preventing work burnout is often as easy as getting up from your desk. Resist the temptation to sit still all day at a traditional desk. Add the Tenon Adjustable Desk to your home office and you’ll have the freedom to sit or stand whenever desired. Standing while working improves blood flow, lifts the spirit, and eases back strain. A more limber back combined with an increase in blood flow to the brain benefits the mind, body, and spirit. The Tenon Desk is widely revered as the first modular smart desk that enables people to sit or stand when working. The Tenon desk features:

• Power and USB outlets
• A companion app
• A touch screen and more

Take time to transition from your Tenon Desk to the outdoors for at least one 15-minute walk per workday and you’ll be invigorated all the more.

Remove Clutter From Your View

In addition to the Tenon Desk, several other Beflo home office products will help you work productively in your home office, spare room, alcove, or other space. The Basalt Tenon Desk Monitor Stand allows you to mount your computer monitor so it stands directly to the frame of your desk while passing straight through the surface for a sleek minimalism that maximizes your space and reduces clutter. The HDMI and power cables pass through the monitor arm body directly to the Pebble Pro docking station, guaranteeing the cables do not get in your way or create a visual distraction. The end result is a neat and clean desk that keeps your focus on work and minimizes your stress.

Add the Slat Laptop Stand to your home office and you'll quickly agree it is the missing piece to the puzzle that is your home desk and home workspace. The Slant is adjustable in terms of angle and height. This nifty laptop stand even rotates a full 360 degrees, serving as the optimal solution for those seeking a fully customized desk setup at home. The stand lifts your laptop upwards of 17 inches high, empowering you to use the laptop when sitting or standing. Once you are done working, fold the laptop stand to conveniently store it and you'll enjoy a seamless transition the next time you return to work.

Additional Beflo home office products to help minimize stress include the Argil Cable Holder that hides unused cords and cables and the Lode Hanging Hook that slides into the side rail of the desk to hang headphones, bags, and other sundries for direct charging through the Tenon Desk's USB port. The Lode Hanging Hook is capable of holding more than 20 pounds of weight.

The handy Mica Wireless Charger slides directly into the desktop slot, allowing for easy recharging without interference from cords and cables. This Wireless Charger is designed for easy folding, making your workspace neat, clean, and tidy at all times. 

Reduce your stress with the Horizon Light Diffuser and your desk light will be directed toward you, illuminating your workspace to perfection. The Light Diffuser's press felt is soft to the touch and adds an artful element to your workspace. The best part is the Light Diffuser easily clips to your Tenon desk frame, making your home office that much more ambient and conducive to productivity.

Discover Flow with Beflo

Beflo has your home office needs covered. We take pride in helping hardworking people avoid work burnout. If you work from home or a shared workspace, you will greatly benefit from our product line. Check out our home office product inventory, add these home office solutions to your workspace and you’ll start to look forward to the time you spend working.