Working hard has been one of the many practices in career advancement. The trend in working overtime has always been widely accepted in many corners of the world. The advantages, as seen clearly by employees, could be that they are able to work or finish their projects, obtaining a sense of accomplishment, and at the same time, the eager employees would also get more pay.
However, some instances of working overtime or even working late could lead to different health concerns. Just recently, the World Health Organization has included burn out in its previous edition of the WHO's handbook of diseases.
In the previous write up, WHO has described burnout as a state of exhaustion. In the organization's new edition of the write-up, burnout was upgraded into a syndrome.
WHO's lead researcher on the topic of burnout has pointed out that vagueness of earlier definition made it tempting to dismiss the problem. He added that a new definition would bring greater clarity and urgency to the matter. The lead researcher also stated that people who feel burnout are now finally fully recognized to have a severe issue.
However, WHO made it clear in a public statement that burnout is not in itself a medical condition. The organization explained that burnout is an occupational phenomenon affecting a person's health. According to experts, the symptoms of burnout are results of unsuccessfully managed chronic workplace stress.
Naz Beheshti, a wellness coach, recounts her experiences in coaching executives who thought their burnout state was sustainable. The wellness coach added that upon ignoring this early warning signs, her clients would pass out in the middle of a meeting and had to be rushed to the emergency room because of fatigue.
However, Beheshti pointed out that daily acute stresses are unavoidable as opposed to chronic long-term stresses which can be avoided. The wellness coach recommends being mindful of one's own emotional and physical state. This will enable a person to detect early warning signs of experiencing burnouts. She added that it is also recommended to willingly seek help and support when necessary. Exhaustion is one of the elements of burn out that should not be taken lightly.
WHO identified engagement as the second element of burnout, which the organization described as the increased mental distance from one's job or feelings of negativism or cynicism.
A reduced sense of professional efficacy has been identified by the WHO as the third dimension of burnout. Research has revealed that people who have confidence in their capability and control to meet work-related challenges are more protected from the bouts of stress and burnout.
Experts recommend being mindful of factors that can threaten one's confidence and control. Most of the time, unclear and unrealistic expectations, which leaves the employees overwhelmed, are attacking their confidence and mindset.
