If “burnout” was not something you heard about prior to the pandemic, 2020 sealed the deal in ensuring we all knew what burnout looked and felt like. I can still remember images of nurses and doctors with deep indents on their faces from wearing masks for endless hours while trying to save those battling COVID. I also specifically remember a picture of a mom crouching in her kitchen with her head in her hands. The caption noted that she had not bathed or changed clothes in a few days because she was trying to care for all of the “littles” (babies and toddlers) in her home without adequate support during the pandemic.

The pandemic showed us a new level of burnout, but prior to COVID, burnout still existed. Busyness has long been considered a badge of honor in America. Our country was built on the construct of the American Dream which suggests that if you just worked hard and long enough you were guaranteed to be successful. Americans work longer days, more days per year and take less vacations than other countries. With the advancement of computers and then smartphones, our workaholic tendencies have been exacerbated in that now we can be available 24/7.

Technology allows us to connect with the world anytime and anywhere; however, the dark side of this is we are never not-connected. I want to pause and say that I do not think technology is “evil” and I do not believe that technology is completely responsible for the level of burnout we are currently experiencing as a culture. However, I do believe that technology plays a big role in burnout. And I think too much technology + too much busyness consistently is a recipe for disaster.

WebMD (www.webmd.com) states that burnout is a form of exhaustion caused by constantly feeling swamped. It happens when we experience too much emotional physical and mental fatigue for too long.  In many cases, burnout is related to one’s job. But burnout can also happen in other areas of your life and affect your health. Burnout can happen at work. It can also happen from parenting a special needs child or caring for aging parents, being married to someone who is chronically ill or simply doing too much too often. I will speak more to the personal side of burnout in the next part of this blog, but for now, here are four types of burnout as described by WebMD (www.webmd.com).

1. Overload Burnout: this type of burnout happens when you work too hard and are willing to risk your health for success.
2. Underchallenged Burnout: this type of burnout occurs when you feel bored or underchallenged.
3. Neglect Burnout: this type of burnout occurs when you feel helpless or incapable.
4. Habitual Burnout: this is the most serious type of burnout. Habitual burnout is characterized by chronic mental and physical fatigue. This type of burnout can result in depression and even thoughts of suicide. Anyone experiencing habitual burnout should immediately seek support.

If you are experiencing any form of burnout, please don’t wait to get help. Life Enhancement Counseling Services can help.  Please contact us today at 407-443-8862 to schedule an appointment with one of our experienced mental health counselors. And come back next month for more on burnout.