Burnout is term referring to the point at which chronic stress becomes an unmanageable overload, resulting in emotional, physical, and mental exhaustion. Burnout is a highly subjective state, varying in occurrence and intensity from individual to individual, and is experienced through a wide variety of symptoms, including physical ailments, emotional distress, decrements of work performance, and behavioral difficulties (Caputo 1991:vii).
It can result from many things, both physical and psychological. Pressures and deadlines at work, problems with loved ones, the need to pay bills, etc. Less obvious sources include everyday encounters with crowds, noise, traffic, pain, extremes of temperature, and even welcome events such as starting a new job or the birth of a child. Overwork, lack of sleep, physical illness, excessive alcohol consumption, and smoking are common physical factors that put stress on the body. Some people create their own stress whether there is something wrong in their lives or not (Balch 1997).
Although some people handle stress well other may experience fatigue, chronic headaches, irritability, and changes in appetite, memory loss, low self-esteem, withdrawal, tooth grinding, cold hands, high blood pressure, shallow breathing, and gastrointestinal disorders. Researchers estimate that stress contributes to as many as 80% of all major illnesses including cancer, endocrine and metabolic diseases, skin disorders, and infectious ailments. Stress is also a common precursor of psychological issues such as anxiety and depression.
Individual coping techniques may be organized into three general categories: stress elimination techniques, stress reduction techniques, and stress tolerance. "Individual differences are especially relevant to coping strategies for stress reduction, as each person is unique in terms of what works effectively to reduce chronic stress, what needs are unsatisfied during times of stress, what problematic beliefs are triggered by stress experiences, and what may enhance rather than reduce stress" (Caputo 1991:107). Stress elimination techniques may require the individual to take, for example, direct action such as changing jobs or enlisting the help of others. Stress reduction techniques may, for example, require the individual to: 1) Set goals; 2) Confront others; 3) Learn to say no; 4) Learn relaxation techniques (e.g., meditation, Yoga, Qigong, Tai Chi); 5) Break away (e.g., make appointments for yourself, take vacation or mental health days, etc); 6) Build a support system; and 7) Improve your environment (e.g., light and color, noise, etc.). To build stress tolerance it is necessary to take good care of your health and emotions by, for example, taking things less personally, becoming more assertive, exercising, and eating well.
Copyright ©2003 by Steven
Casano
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modified: February 3, 2002