Are You Burning the Candle on Both Ends?

By Annika Miyamoto, MS

Although it is not an official medical diagnosis, occupational fatigue is real and can have detrimental affects on a person’s physical, mental, and emotional wellbeing. And to clarify, burnout can impact anyone working in a variety of occupational contexts whether it working a 9-5 office job, caring for family or loved ones, or 24-hour on-call status such as the case for first responders.  If you are wondering if you may be suffering from this form of stress ask yourself the following:

• Has it become increasingly difficulty to get myself to work or begin daily tasks?

• Have I or others noticed that I am more cynical or pessimistic?

• Am I unable to accomplish as much as I used to?

• Do I feel overwhelmed by my work? 

These questions are just some of the common variables when considering whether a person is experiencing burnout and is not an exhaustive list. Even more defeating might be the belief that a person, despite experiencing burnout, is stuck living with it whether it is a job that they cannot leave or caregiving for a loved one. The truth is that there are many factors that contribute to burnout and leaving a job or going on vacation may not be the only options a person has (and not feasible in many cases!). 

Transition from “living to work” to “working to live!”

Making smaller environmental changes (e.g., better sleep, healthier eating habits, daily exercise) can help balance out some of the stress one may feel. Also, recurring thought patterns or certain personality characteristics have also been found to contribute to occupational fatigue and changes in how we perceive and think about situations can significantly improve outcomes. The great news is that a person can work with a mental or behavioral health specialist to tackle these barriers to experiencing a more fulfilling occupational life and overall sense of wellbeing.