It’s not unusual to feel blue at work, especially after the summer ends. With the September blues, there are many ways to help alleviate the feelings of sadness you may experience. Sometimes the blues only lasts for a few days, and other times they may last for a few weeks. So, how can we know the difference between a temporary fatigue and a full blown burn-out?
What is a burn-out?
A burn-out is an extreme state of physical, emotional and mental fatigue due to constant stress at work. It occurs when someone is experiencing excessive professional demands that last for an extended period of time without being able to rest.
Symptoms include a persisting fatigue, a depersonalization feeling at work and a significant decrease in professional efficiency. It can also affect both your mental and physical health, causing issues such as anxiety, depression or physiological disorders. Acknowledgement of early signs can help serve your cause by being able to prevent and treat this serious condition.
What are the different types of burn-out?
Burn-out can affect you differently depending on the area of your life it affects.
Professional burn-out is the most talked about form. It results from chronic stress at work and manifests itself by an intense fatigue, a cynicism towards work and a decrease in professional efficiency.
Parental burn-out happens when the parental responsibilities become too overwhelming, causing a physical and emotional exhaustion.
Academic burn-out affects students, particularly those who feel excessive pressure to perform in their field of education.
Finally, social burn-out happens from a constant tension in intrapersonal relationships, and can be caused by unresolved conflicts or excessive demands.
What are the differences between temporary blues and burn-out at work?
The blues is often temporary and manifests itself through a decrease in motivation, energy or enthusiasm for work. It can result from an ad hoc overload of tasks, stress, or lack of sleep. On the contrary, burn-out is a much more serious and lasting state. It ensues from chronic and excessive stress, producing a deep physical and emotional fatigue, as well as a general disappointment when it comes to work.
