Tweet

Stress Management Tips: Job Burnout Prevention

Guest post by: Dr. Jack Singer

Article Overview: Job burnout is an insidious problem in the American workforce, among all levels of employees. Frequently undiagnosed, burnout may appear in job statistics of absenteeism statistics, in suicide rates, or in the development of chronic illnesses that keep employees from working. Ultimately, working oneself to death can be the disguise for job burnout.

Stress Management Tips: Job Burnout Prevention

"Burnout" has been defined as "a state of mental or physical exhaustion caused by excessive and prolonged stress." Job burnout is an insidious problem in the American workforce, among all levels of employees. Frequently undiagnosed, burnout may appear in job statistics of absenteeism statistics, in suicide rates, or in the development of chronic illnesses that keep employees from working. Ultimately, working oneself to death can be the disguise for job burnout.

Job Conditions That Lead to Burnout

The following conditions have been found to lead to burnout. Obviously, the more of these that a person has to deal with, the more the likelihood of burnout occurring:

• Heavy workload
• Long work hours and difficult deadlines
• Little participation in decision-making
• Poor communications within the organization
• Conflicting or uncertain expectations from supervisors
• Job insecurity
• Lack of recognition
• Poor advancement opportunities
• Minimal support from supervisors or co-workers
• Unpleasant or dangerous working environments or conditions

Three Stages of Job Burnout

Now, all of the person's defenses are worn to a frazzle. She/he may be overwhelmed by feelings of hopelessness and/or helplessness. A lack of motivation, fatigue, cynicism and even suicidal thoughts may be present, along with major physiological symptoms. Frequent trips to medical specialists who run many tests and find nothing are common occurrences.

Preventing Job Burnout

Of course, being examined my a mental health professional is a wonderful preventive technique. But what steps can the employee take in order to avoid the symptoms of job burnout?

• Feel comfortable delegating responsibility at work
• Find outlets for frustration, like a brisk walk at noon, reading, listening to music, etc.
• Become assertive and be able to say "no" to excessive demands on your time
• Feel good about your accomplishments even if you don't get recognized by supervisors
• Avoid excessive alcohol, prescription drugs, nicotine and caffeine
• Look everywhere for humor
• Remain optimistic in the face of frustration
• Learn to organize your time
• Take frequent breaks
• Practice good nutrition
• Get plenty of sleep
• Have a friend, spouse or colleague who is a good listener

Related Articles
  Stress And Personal Mastery
  Leadership Strategies and NO to Burnout
  Dealing With Stress In The Small Business Workplace, Tips From Your Strategic Thinking Business Coach
  9 steps to reducing the stress of business ownership
  Burnt-out, tired, had enough?
  The 3 Secrets of Knowing When to Say “YES”
  Archenemies of the Aspiring Bestselling Author - Burnout and Apathy
  Stress and World Class Coaches
  November is National Family Caregivers Month
  How The APE Philosophy Can Help Your Organization
  Time Equals Success
  STRATEGIC MANAGEMENT OF STRESS
  'Tis the Season for Holiday Networking - And Here's Your Guide
  Entrepreneurs Burnout – Bin It
  12 simple steps business owners can take to avoid burnout
  Four Safety Basics to Reduce Workmans' Compensation Injuries and Costs
  What Is Your Management Action Style?
  Reduce Stress In The Workplace By Changing Your Rules
  Stress Management Tips: Managing Stress in the Workplace
  Adult Onset ADD - The New Silent Culprit Claiming Many Burnt Out Workers

Article Tags: absenteeism, american workforce, chronic illnesses, job burnout, stress management tips
Referred by: http://virtualassistantindustry.com/



Related Forum Posts
Business Tips - How about: Tips for managers to handle employees more effectively? Tips on how to deal with difficult customers? Tips on how to deal more effectively with suppliers? The only three I have in mind right now, but will try to come up with something else. Chris
No B.S. Time Management - A great book I read on Time Management is No B.S. Time Management for Entrepreneurs by Dan Kennedy.
Re: Infographic: The 4 Main Stress Factors - I'd like to reference that article in my next blog post as well.. I worked in sales for years and found that days when I was positive, relaxed where days that it was easy to sell. On days that I was stressed I found I would not reach target. Stress is good at times, but it very easily becomes problematic. I do a lot of very physical exercise and work now, to manage it.
Which kind of industries are you interested in? - Ecological or E-business or Investment or Finance or Management or Non-Profit or Retailer or others.
Re: Using Craigslist SEO to Promote Your Website - Great Craiglist Tips for driving traffic. I can definitely use these to drive traffic to my blog.


Share this article with your friends. Fund someone's dream.

Leave a comment below or share on the left and you'll help support entrepreneurs in Africa through our partnership with Kiva. Over $50,000 raised and counting - Please keep sharing! Learn more.

Newsletter

Get advice & tips from famous business
owners, new articles by entrepreneur
experts, my latest website updates, &
special sneak peaks at what's to come!

Name:
Email:

Popular Articles

Winning Market Share in a Tough Economy

Local Marketing: 3 Simple Low-Cost Strategies

Top Ten Home-Based Businesses

Suggestions

Email us your ideas on how to make our
website more valuable! Thank you Sharon
from Toronto Salsa Lessons / Classes for
your suggestions to make the newsletter
look like the website and profile younger
entrepreneurs like Jennifer Lopez.