As many of us have experienced firsthand, burnout can be a common side effect of making your living in corporate America. Many organizations operate under the guise of being a “highly competitive work environment”, which is corporate slang for “RUN!”. For an organization to avoid burnout and turnover, they have to find a healthy balance in setting ambitious goals while also providing room for feedback and support. 5 out of 7 days every week, your team members have to show up to your workplace to make a living, and it’s our job as leaders and employers to make those 5 days bearable. Understanding burnout symptoms is critical for maintaining a healthy, productive workforce. In this guide, we’ll explore the signs of burnout and how to effectively address them.

Understanding Burnout Symptoms

Burnout is a state of emotional, physical, and mental exhaustion caused by prolonged stress. It’s characterized by three main dimensions: feelings of exhaustion, increased mental distance from one’s job, feelings of negativism related to one’s job, and reduced professional efficacy according to the Mayo Clinic. From a business perspective, you can clearly see that burnout is a financial risk in more ways than one. When one team member is feeling burned out, that energy can spread across your team like wildfire. Recognizing burnout symptoms early on can prevent lost productivity, turnover, and poor team morale.

Physical and Emotional Signs

Physical signs of burnout include chronic fatigue, insomnia, and frequent illnesses due to reduced immunity. Emotionally, individuals might experience symptoms like detachment, a sense of failure, and a lack of accomplishment according to APA. Your mental health has a direct impact on your physical health, so it’s important to make sure that you treat burnout symptoms seriously. Those feelings will not resolve themselves – take every opportunity to recognize, celebrate, and let your team members know that their work is valuable and makes an impact.

Behavioral Indicators

Behavioral changes are also key burnout symptoms to watch for. This includes withdrawing from responsibilities, isolating from colleagues, and displaying increased irritability or decreased patience. Being aware of these behavior changes can help leaders better support their teams. If you notice burnout symptoms in one of your team members, take it as an opportunity to ask questions and find out what you can do to help them better succeed. A sudden drop in performance can also be a red flag according to the Harvard Business Review. Further evidence that caring for your employees and prioritizing their well-being will only positively impact your business.

Strategies to Mitigate Burnout

Creating a supportive work environment is essential in mitigating burnout symptoms. Encourage regular breaks, promote a healthy work-life balance, and provide resources for stress management. You can incorporate these breaks into your work days by scheduling skill-based learning events, social team-building events, or even just a catered lunch. Your people can feel when you’re willing to put in the extra effort for them, and they’re much more likely to reciprocate that effort when they do.

Implementing a Proactive Approach

A proactive approach to managing burnout involves regular training on recognizing burnout symptoms. This will foster open communication, and promote a culture of well-being. Encourage your leaders to lead with empathy and consistently seek feedback to open the floor to sharing issues before they build into burnout.

MindGoal: Your Partner in Addressing Burnout

MindGoal is dedicated to helping organizations tackle burnout and turnover head-on. Our Culture Health Score tool and culture transformation programs are designed to identify burnout symptoms early and provide effective solutions tailored to your team’s needs. Our culture-as-a-service solutions have helped organizations achieve outstanding results. On average, our clients have seen a 20% reduction in turnover, a 55% increase in employee well-being, and a 27% increase in revenue growth. Reach out to MindGoal today to ensure your team remains healthy, happy, and productive.

Contact MindGoal today to find out how we can transform your culture to maximize performance!