Burnout is real, it’s here, and it’s increasing. According to the latest data, burnout has increased in the American workforce by 9% since before COVID. Today, 52% of U.S. workers say they are burned out. It’s happening to all ages and in all business types. Geographic boundaries are no barrier for burnout, either. What is burnout? Are you feeling it? This blog will explore the issue and help you with some coping strategies to circumvent the effects of job-related burnout.

How Can You Stay Energized and Reduce Burnout?

What is Burnout?

The World Health Organization (WHO) has classified burnout as an occupational phenomenon. It’s now listed in the 11threvised edition of the International Classification of Diseases (ICD-11). The organization defines the illness as:

  • Feeling exhausted with low or no energy.
  • Feeling emotionally distanced from your job or active feelings of cynicism or negativity.
  • Becoming less effective in your job. 

If you’re experiencing burnout symptoms, it can have serious implications on work-related performance. Stress is inevitably linked to burnout. Stress can lead to not only burnout but other health-related issues, including cutting your life short. 

How can you reduce stress and cut the chances that you’ll end up with burnout? How can you change your workplace to protect your employees from the harmful effects of burnout?

Preventing Burnout

Preventing burnout should be a top priority for leadership as well as for individuals. How can you pull off a better work/life balance, less stress, and protect your valuable human resources?

  • Train your managers to set work/life boundaries. This is hard with remote workers. Many remote employees say they have a hard time drawing a line between work and home because work is home. So, make sure your managers aren’t emailing or sending a text or IM after business hours to discourage employees from staying plugged in. Make sure your managers are empathetic towards employees who experience interruptions at home. Or, for those in-house workers, make sure your managers are encouraging breaks, fun, and plenty of rewards.
  • Make sure you’re encouraging employees (and yourself) to use vacation time. Americans are notorious for leaving vacations on the table each year. Also, make sure your insurance carrier carries mental health coverage—and talk about it. That leads us to our final point.
  • Communicate about the issue of burnout. Your open communication will reduce the stigma around mental health issues, including burnout. Open communication generally will help keep your workforce engaged. Create the kind of culture that values your workforce and takes care of them and you.

Ready To Reduce Your Burnout Symptoms?

Exelare is committed to helping staff, and management teams openly communicate about the hiring process. Talk with us today about how our smart automation can take your candidate hiring processes to the next level.