Burnout Syndrome, also known as exhaustion syndrome, is a condition where one is intensely focused on a task, only to suddenly lose all energy and become unable to adapt to work. This syndrome is commonly seen among office workers who are exhausted due to excessive workload. It’s not just about feeling lethargic; your brain gets tired and overly sensitive, so it’s important to pay attention.
Key Symptoms of Burnout Syndrome
Symptoms include a decrease in motivation, a lack of a sense of accomplishment, and a decline in empathy. You may feel like giving up on everything, and things that used to bring joy no longer do. This can lead to insomnia or excessive sleep.
Chronic Disease
Burnout Syndrome is a common symptom among office workers who are constantly working in fierce competition, similar to how a phone battery drains if you keep using it without charging. South Korea’s annual working hours are the second longest among OECD countries, following Mexico. In a society dominated by long hours of labor and competition, people experience mental and physical fatigue, leading to an increase in the number of people claiming to have Burnout Syndrome.
Burnout Syndrome Self-Test
You feel too tired to work / You feel exhausted when it’s time to leave work / You feel tired just thinking about going to work in the morning / You feel stressed and tense about work / You feel lethargic and bored when given a task / You have no interest in your work / You are passive and defensive when given a task / You don’t feel a sense of accomplishment / You only seek pleasure to relieve stress / You’ve been feeling more irritable and anxious lately. If you identify with three or more of these items, you may have Burnout Syndrome and need to pay close attention to yourself.
The Individual Often Doesn’t Realize It
When Burnout Syndrome occurs, symptoms such as a decrease in motivation and a decline in the sense of accomplishment appear, and people complain of memory loss or insomnia. In the case of men, they often do not acknowledge Burnout Syndrome and endure it until they suddenly collapse due to physical problems. Experts advise that it is important for family and friends to carefully observe the person’s condition and respond appropriately if they suspect Burnout Syndrome.
Mind Vacation to Help Recharge the Brain
Even if someone appears to have Burnout Syndrome, hasty advice can be harmful. Saying it’s a natural phenomenon or comparing them to others can worsen the symptoms. At this time, it’s better to help them set aside time to recharge their drained brain. This doesn’t just mean resting for a long time but includes activities such as taking a 10-minute walk every day, meeting friends once a week, and going on a trip without a smartphone.
Perfectionists Are More Prone
It Comes Easier
People who are obsessed with doing everything 100% perfectly are likely to be perfectionists. In the process of striving for this, they feel anxiety and stress, and if it worsens, they can fall into burnout. To prevent burnout, you need to check if you are a perfectionist and make efforts to alleviate the symptoms. To get out of perfectionism, it’s good to stop seeing yourself as an entity to be evaluated, live a life where you are the protagonist, and abandon black-and-white thinking. You need to avoid obsessing over small mistakes and strive to find joy in everyday life.
Risk of Atrial Fibrillation Increases
Research shows that people with high Burnout Syndrome scores have a 20% higher risk of developing atrial fibrillation than those without. Atrial fibrillation is a condition where the heart beats irregularly. Symptoms include feeling stuffy or dizzy in the chest, shortness of breath, and the ability to form blood clots, which can increase the risk of stroke. This can occur because burnout syndrome increases inflammation in the body and stimulates physiological reactions, and chronic stress and inflammation in the body can have harmful effects on heart tissue, so caution is needed.
Prevention of Burnout Syndrome
Changing your wake-up time or changing the atmosphere within the company to change your environment can be effective. If you bring changes to your everyday life that flow the same way every day, you can escape from lethargy. Also, reducing caffeine intake is even better, as caffeine stimulates the central nervous system, causing fatigue and chronic dehydration. Reducing or quitting it can be helpful.
Take Time Out from Work
To prevent or alleviate Burnout Syndrome, it is necessary to take breaks intermittently throughout a busy day. Reading a book or listening to music is good, and doing simple tasks like tidying up your desk is also good. The important thing is to take time out from work. If you’re tired of the same daily routine, it’s recommended to take a break for yourself.
10-Minute Walk to Refresh Your Mind
Burnout Syndrome is not a disease, so it can be overcome without treatment at a hospital. During work hours, take regular deep breaths and take walks when you can. When eating, slowly savor the taste and aroma of the food. Our brains tend to avoid continuous stress, so if signals of Burnout Syndrome come, it’s important to make efforts to eliminate the feeling of boredom and disgust towards work.
By. Shin Young Jeon
Most Commented