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eelings of burnout are common - when work and other demands in your life get too intense, or if you dont get enough time to rest, you can start feeling physically, emotionally or mentally exhausted. The symptoms are real, yet some doctors say burnout is not a clinical disorder. Its not a diagnosable condition, Air Force Lt. Col. Daniel Gross, flight commander at the 633rd Medical Group at Joint Base Langley- Eustis, in Hampton, Va., said. Instead, it is a syndrome that results in response to running out of energy and empty- ing the tank, Gross said. It occurs when an individual has an imbalance between respon- sibility and task compared to the opportunity to rest and recharge. Some service members may be at high risk for burnout, regardless of their career field, especially when individual or unit operations tempo gets very high. You might see reduced stress tolerance, increased irritability, decreased job perfor- mance or relationship stress as a result of running on empty as a result of burning out, Gross said. Additionally, you might be at risk for burning out when you dont take time to take care of yourself, set emotional bound- aries or establish a healthy work-life bal- ance, Nancy Skopp, a clinical psychologist and lead researcher for the Health Services & Population Research program at the Defense Health Agencys Psychological Health Center of Excellence, said. According to Skopp, there are three key dimensions of burnout: 1. Overwhelming exhaustion. 2. Feelings of cynicism and detachment from the job. 3. A sense of ineffectiveness and lack of accomplishment. Skopp describes burnout as an individual stress experience within a social context. Burnout appears to be particularly com- mon in unsupportive work environments characterized by low morale and teamwork, inefficient workplace processes, excessive workloads and negative leadership behavior, Skopp explained. Every career field has unique challenges and unique resources, Gross said. I dont
Feeling Burned out at Work? Here are Some Tips to Feel Better
By Claudia Sanchez-Bustamante
know that theres one particular area which is at greater risk or vulnerability. The good news is that burnout can be mitigated. There are numerous steps that individuals and leaders can take to reduce burnout and its impact. Its especially important that leaders pay attention to their teams. Leaders should make sure that they have a good understanding of the demands on their troops, Gross said, and that they do a good job of helping mitigate that burden on their troops, at the same time as managing the downtime and the recovery time for their troops. Ask them what they need and help them to get it, Gross suggests. All too often, I think that, as leaders, we give [team members] what we think they need in order to be okay, and what we think they needed is not what they need. Individuals should try to take care of them- selves to prevent or reduce burnout. Skopp provided the following tips: Eat well - maximize nutrition, minimize processed foods Make time for relaxation, leisure and fun activities Exercise regularly - even if its just 10 or Skopp says some tips for leaders trying to minimize burnout might include: Monitor work environment and morale Cultivate workplace cohesion and a culture of teamwork Use rewards and incentives in a consistent and fair manner Provide resources to promote self-care Monitor workloads and ensure enough time in the workday to complete required tasks Reduce inefficient workplace processes In some cases, a key step might be asking a simple question. 15 minutes on a busy day Develop good sleep habits - aim for between seven and nine hours Set up a wind-down ritual to facilitate rest Establish protective boundaries and respect your emotional needs Separate work life and personal life Cultivate a sense of humor Build strong working relationships with co-workers Recognize the signs of distress and seek help when needed
Source: Department of Defense
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