HEALTH
The proverb “all work no play makes Jack a dull boy” first appeared in a book of Proverbs by James Howell in 1959.(1) This continues to be relevant even more so today, as the struggle to find a livable work-life balance becomes even more difficult.
According to the most recent Aflac work forces report, 59% of American workers experience at least moderate levels of burnout.(2) Employees suffering from high levels of burnout report lower job satisfaction, lower confidence in their position and negative perceptions of work-life balance.(2) But what is workplace burnout?
Many experts define workplace burnout as a specific type of work-related stress; a state of emotional or physical exhaustion that also involves a reduced sense of accomplishment and a loss of personal identity. While there is no current medical diagnosis for “burnout”, the statistics show how significant the impact really is. Nearly 3 in 5 employees report negative effects of work related stress; such as lack of energy, motivation, or interest, lack of effort at work, cognitive weariness, and emotional or physical fatigue.(3)
Possible causes and risk factors for workplace burnout include:
Lack of control - The inability to make decisions regarding schedules, assignments, or workload
Unclear job expectations - Being over or underutilized without proper training or support
Dysfunctional workplace dynamics - Toxic work environments
Lack of social support - Feeling isolated either at work or at home
Type of profession - Healthcare and “helping” professions tend to have higher levels of burnout
Heavy workload - Long hours and/or tough assignments
Recognizing if burnout is affecting you is truly the first step in making change and taking action. Evaluate your current position, your options, and most importantly your mental health status. Have you noticed a lack in energy? Find it hard to concentrate? Sleeping more, or less than before? Finding a lack of motivation in or out of the workplace?
If you feel you may be struggling with workplace burnout, seek support. Whether this is with coworkers, management, friends or loved ones. Try to spend more time outside of the workplace doing things you love; be it travel, exercise, or time for yourself or family and friends. I always find a few nights of quality time with friends and family, or a week-long vacation to a warmer climate always helps to recharge my battery and stave off workplace burnout.
Image: Finding my work-life balance at the Grand Wailea Canyon, Kauai, Hawaii while at the 2023 Ortho Today Hawaii orthopedics conference.
1. Howell, James (1659). Paroimiographia. Proverbs, or, old Sayed Sawes & Adages in English (or the Saxon Toung) Italian, French and Spanish whereunto the British, for their great antiquity and weight are added. London: Samuel Thomson. It is found on page 12 of the section titled Proverbs, or Old Sayed-Sawes, and Adages in the English Toung. Howell's Proverbs is bound with Howell's Lexicon Tetraglotton (1660)
2. https://www.aflac.com/business/resources/aflac-workforces-report/default.aspx
3. https://www.apa.org/monitor/2022/01/special-burnout-stress
