How Counseling Can Help for Workplace Burnout
Burnout is common and can happen to anyone. According to the American Institute of Stress, 83% of Americans are stressed from work, and 1 million Americans miss work because of stress related to work.
Workplace stress can cause harm to employees and negatively impact their mental health. Burnout is due to prolonged stress, where mental exhaustion occurs. Emotional exhaustion being a top contributor to workplace burnout.
Are you feeling overwhelmed or emotionally drained from workplace stress? Counseling is an excellent tool when experiencing burnout. It provides a support system while dealing with burnout and gaining mental clarity.
What is Burnout?
Signs and Symptoms of Burnout
Burnout can manifest in many ways in your life. Burnout can literally feel like a sap of energy and that you have zero energy left. There are specific symptoms to watch out for; some can look like mental health conditions such as depression or anxiety. Here are some symptoms to pay attention to if you are experiencing burnout.
Social isolation- if you don't have time for friends or family and find yourself isolating after work or on days off
Using substances or unhealthy coping mechanisms such as drugs or alcohol
Physical symptoms such as ongoing headaches, migraines, fatigue, and stomachaches
Unable to concentrate on tasks either at work or outside of work
Feeling emotionally exhausted, mentally and physically
Not doing things you once enjoyed
Extra irritable and quickly set off by minor inconveniences
Insomnia and changes in sleep patterns (either sleeping too much or too little)
Causes of Burnout
Burnout can happen for many different reasons. From being overworked to not having support from leadership, here are some reasons burnout can happen:
Unfair treatment in the workplace
Personal issues
Family issues
Lack of support from leadership
Unrealistic expectations
Micromanagement
Heavy workload
Work where you don't feel a sense of purpose
Monotonous work
Long hours
Stress
Depression
Poor job fit
Careers with High Burnout Rates
Any career can cause burnout. Statistically, these are the careers with high Burnout Rates:
Teachers
Social Work
Lawyer
Surgeons
Police Officers
Nurses
Construction Workers
Sales
Massage Therapists
Paramedics
Emergency Dispatchers
Caregivers
Finance
Pilots
Veterinarian
Physician
How Counseling Can Help with Burnout
Identifying and Addressing Underlying Issues
Therapy can help overcome burnout and is a state of mind and body fatigue that happens after emotional and physical exhaustion from stress, typically over time. Goals in therapy may include finding meaning outside of work, getting your energy back, and working through cynicism among other topics related to your personal experience. Counseling at Sagebrush is personalized and dependent on what is going on in your life. If you’re experiencing burnout we will look at it from all angles and find a treatment plan that works for you.
Developing Coping Strategies
In therapy, we will work together to identify workplace triggers either at the workplace or in your home environment, and you'll develop the skills to cope with them. Some examples are mindfulness techniques to help your mind find a state of calm outside of work and during stressful events, setting boundaries with co-workers, communicating your feelings effectively, and learning to set appropriate boundaries such as saying no.
Developing Coping Strategies
In therapy, we will work together to identify workplace triggers, either at work or in your home environment, and develop the skills to cope with them. Some examples are mindfulness techniques to help your mind find a state of calm outside of work and during stressful events, setting boundaries with coworkers, communicating your feelings effectively, and learning to set appropriate boundaries, such as saying no.
Improving Communication and Boundaries
As we mentioned, one common reason for burnout is poor boundaries in the workplace with coworkers or the leadership team. Going to counseling, learning to set better boundaries, and communicating effectively can prevent burnout and help you maintain a healthier work-life balance, ultimately feeling less stressed by your work.
Addressing Work-Life Imbalance
By going to therapy for workplace burnout, we will work together to identify critical areas of your life that need attention. If you're considering a career change or you might be dealing with family or relationship issues carried over into your work or benefit from career counseling. Either way, we are here to help!
Providing Support and Validation
Having a therapist by your side during stressful times can benefit your well-being. At Sagebrush Counseling, we will talk through your experiences and offer personalized support as we help you navigate stress and burnout.
What are Coping Strategies for Burnout
Practice Self-Care
Self-care should be a priority, and it can be pushed to the wayside for many individuals, especially during times of burnout. When someone is stressed, thinking about putting away time for self-care might not be at the forefront of a priority list when it is most needed. Some ideas for self-care include mindfulness walks, spending time with your pets and loved ones, reading a book, meditation, journaling, or your favorite hobbies. There are many more ideas for self-care, and it is dependent on what you enjoy doing and what brings joy to your life.
Set Boundaries
You should learn to say no in your professional and personal life if you had a long week and want to prioritize your health or practice self-care, learning to say no when you need it most.
Take a Mindfulness Walk
Mindfulness is a way to help you relax and reset. Even if you have only 10 minutes to take a walk and find some peace, it counts.
Take Small Breaks Throughout Your Day
When we are overwhelmed with work, taking a break can seem impossible when someone constantly runs around. Taking a small mindfulness break can bring some peace into your day.
Seek Therapy
Setting up time weekly or bi-weekly to talk to a therapist can help during times of stress. Whether you want to discuss workplace burnout, family or relationship issues, career concerns, or anything bothering you, it is a tool to help you through difficult times of stress.
Practice Stress Management Techniques
Stress management can include yoga, working out, mindfulness walks, meditation, breathing techniques, calming your mind, or anything that relaxes your nervous system.
Therapy Options for Burnout
Individual Therapy
Individual therapy can help you process your emotions. Consider couples counseling if you and your partner are experiencing workplace burnout or if relationship issues are contributing to stress.
Group Therapy
Group therapy is a way to process complex emotions in a group setting, either virtual or in-person. Having a group makes you part of a community of individuals experiencing similar issues.
Online Therapy in Texas
We offer online counseling at Sagebrush Counseling to support individuals and couples experiencing workplace burnout throughout Texas.
Therapy for Burnout at Sagebrush Counseling
Burnout doesn't have to be permanent; seek counseling today to find peace in your life during a time of stress. When untreated, burnout can be dangerous as it can lead to emotional exhaustion, depression, anxiety, and other mental health conditions. We are here to help; schedule a session today or book a 15-minute free consultation.
