Extending Your Professional “Shelf Life” By Reducing Burnout

Dear Dr. LeCrone:

About a year ago I took a job providing assistance to families who have been traumatized by abuse and neglect.

The work is filled with emotional intensity as many of the individuals and families are in crisis. A lot of complex legal and medical issues must be dealt with along with the struggle to find funds to keep our agency afloat.

At times I feel overwhelmed, exhausted, and burned out. I think that some of the problems stem from the fact that I am a seek perfection and don’t like uncertainty and a lack of control in outcomes.

I feel that I must be of help in every situation which, of course, is impossible. Can you please tell me how I can be more effective in coping with stress and burnout in my job?”

Dear Reader:

Many service occupations are fertile grounds for burnout. Prolonged occupational stress often leads to burnout where chronic fatigue, frequent feelings of exhaustion and, eventually depression can emerge.

A complex set of factors produce burnout. You correctly pointed to one of the large pieces of this puzzle: the high need for control and perfection. Unrealistic beliefs and expectations about performance issues at work can lead to disappointment, disillusion and dissatisfaction.

Do you tend to focus on your less than successful outcomes and overlook or quickly take for granted your more positive endeavors?

Also, believing that you should or must be able to help everyone is unrealistic. Make concerted efforts to help your clients but keep in mind that you cannot be everything to everyone.

Sharing your feelings and frustrations with a co-worker can be very helpful. Sharing coping strategies, serving as sounding boards and validating feelings produced by job stress along with having someone to process professional triumphs and tragedies can be very rewarding.

Debriefing with colleagues on a regular basis can also be very helpful, and consultation with a mental health professional may also be useful.

Seek to reduce stress and the risk of burnout by practicing healthy habits. Exercise regularly, get enough, sleep, eat a healthy diet and develop hobbies and leisure activities that you enjoy.

Take your vacation time and leave work at the office at the end of the workday and on weekends.

Recognize that you cannot exceed your physical and emotional limits. Becoming burned out can endanger your health and limit your own “shelf life” as a helper.