Why Was Burnout Just Declared a Medical Condition?

Why Was Burnout Just Declared a Medical Condition?

The World Health Organization declared yesterday that Burnout is now classified as a medical condition. This comes along the heels of a greater movement in the medical field and healthcare communities of identifying disorders of the mind, and crush the stigma associated with mood disorders. Continue reading more about burnout and how it affects a large portion of adults.

What is Burnout?

Burnout is the feeling one gets when one over-exerts oneself in too many activities at once. This likely includes a large portion of people who are working professionals with intense work hours, and large projects, and who also try to manage their time for friends, familial obligations, and hobbies.

What are the Symptoms of Burnout?

The symptoms of burnout are usually quite obvious. These include feelings of disdain for work or obligations. People usually identify burnout as feeling exhausted, low on energy, lethargic, and can even show symptoms of exhaustion.

How Can We Reduce Burning Out?

There are a few different ways in which we can reduce burnout. Burnout stems from the expectations that people need to be continually involved in some activity be it working, taking care of their family, or having active social lives. Burnout ultimately needs to be resolved by restructuring one’s goals and lifestyle choices. Ways in which we can actively combat burnout include:

• Meditation or Yoga
• Exercising
• Getting a full 8 hours of sleep
• Restructuring one’s life
• Work smarter, not harder
• Stop overcommitting yourself to events
• Take on fewer projects at work
• Give yourself alone time
• Make thoughtful food choices
• Seek therapy
• Practicing self-care

Final Thoughts

Do you experience burnout regularly? Is it common for you, or is it something that only happens when you are feeling stressed? Do you think that burnout has become an epidemic among people? Do you think this could possibly be related to the anxiety of everyday life, or to those who feel as though they need to continually be doing something? Could the argument be made that this is inflicted based on societal standards? We would love to get your feedback. Please comment below!