How Self-Awareness Improves Communication and Prevents Burnout
Burnout transcends a mere bad day. It becomes an all-encompassing state of chronic exhaustion caused by stress. Burnout leaves one feeling powerless over their fate and life itself – diminishing effectiveness and sense of accomplishment while chipping away at identity. According to workplace well-being experts Kandi Wiens and Alex Draper, burnout doesn’t solely stem from excessive work output. Still, it can originate in toxic workplace environments where values clash with organizational culture – often fostered by leaders unaware enough to spot potential conflicts that lead directly to burnout! – and vice versa…… leadership oversight often exacerbates these issues by fueling team discontent, resulting in cycles that culminate in burnout for the leaders.
Burnout’s rapid expansion from an emerging phenomenon to a workplace condition has been alarming. In a survey of work and well-being done to 1,591 US adult workers in 2021, 79% of employees had already experienced stress at work. Every three in five employees reported a lack of interest, motivation, or energy (26%), and a lack of effort at work (19%). Meanwhile, 36% reported cognitive weariness, 32% emotional exhaustion, and 44% reported physical fatigue—a 38% increase since 2019.
Amid rising cases, particularly among younger demographics, its consequences are becoming ever more significant. Research confirms the pervasiveness of burnout affecting various aspects of individuals’ lives, from health to job satisfaction – going far beyond workplace dissatisfaction in manifesting in physical ailments, mental health issues, and decreased productivity.
Recognize Warning Signs
If you feel continually stressed out and distant from work, these may be telltale indicators of burnout. Burnout occurs when one feels overwhelmed and emotionally depleted—beyond physical fatigue, it involves feeling helpless in an endless cycle of stress and difficulty.
Communicate: Discussing discrepancies between what you need and what is being provided can help rectify them. Additional support or a greater understanding of job requirements may be required to correct things.
Burnout
Reasons for Burnout: Burnout often stems from long-term stress and toxic organizational cultures, leaving individuals feeling powerless over their fate and diminishing their effectiveness. Social pressures and organizational expectations compound burnout. Individuals struggle to balance productivity and well-being appropriately while managing the daily challenges accompanying work life.
Use Mindfulness to Avoid Burnout: Mindfulness involves simply becoming aware of one’s thoughts and emotions without judgment, without attaching meaning or attachments to them. By practicing mindful awareness regularly, one can start recognizing what causes stress as one learns how to manage better-coping mechanisms and stress relief strategies. Mindful leadership also benefits leaders by increasing awareness of team stress levels and needs.
Advice
Establish Mindfulness: Developing your mindfulness abilities can protect against burnout, whether through apps like HEADSAPCE and MUSE or simply taking time each day to reflect quietly on meditation and breathing exercises.
Digital Detox: Sometimes, stepping away from screens and technology can help clear your mind and relieve stress.
Mindfulness-Based Interventions (MBIs): MBIs are special techniques designed to increase self-awareness and compassion, helping you manage stress more efficiently.
Mindfulness isn’t just a buzzword: it can transform your work environment and leadership style. By developing greater self-awareness and advocating for healthier work conditions, mindfulness prevents burnout and can create a more productive, rewarding workplace environment.
We are here to help, and we would love to hear from you!
Cristina Ferreira da Costa
President & Founder
CDCConsulting Partners, LLC
+1 (404) 528 9792
[email protected]
