Addressing Personal & Professional Burnout

Are you experiencing personal or professional burnout? Feeling like your best isn’t good enough? Are you unengaged and wondering what happened to that loving feeling? Have you ever heard the saying, “insanity is doing the same thing over and over again, but expecting different results?” Well, it’s time to do something differently and address the root of the problem.

What you’re doing isn’t working (for you anymore) and it could be for a range of reasons. Maybe you’re tired, overworked, disinterested or feel like you’re stuck in a rut. You’ve hit the feeling of disappointment and it’s time to evaluate your options.

If you’re tired of the same ole’ thing, or feeling like each day is Groundhog Day; effort alone will not be the solution to your problem. You’ll need to pair effort with strategy. Discover what is really making you feel this way. If it’s the morning hustle of getting yourself and the kids ready, fed and dropped off to school on-time; find out exactly what your stressors are in the process. Are you not giving yourself enough time? Are there things that can be done the night before to make your life easier? Take charge by optimizing your routine and allowing time for the unexpected.

If your burnout stems from work, is it that you’ve become disinterested? Maybe each day has become repetitive and you’re in need of some excitement to reengage. Maybe you’re under-challenged in your role at work and boredom is prompting these feelings. Take control of your future and set up a meeting with your manager to explore how you can take on new challenging projects. A slight shift to your priorities or assisting a new team in your down time could be an easy solution. You might even stumble into a new opportunity that you weren’t aware existed. Do what you can to make your job grow with you.

When you feel the angst of burnout, push through and find solutions to your problems. Stagnancy will not save or excite you. Once you’ve come out on the other side you’ll see firsthand how perseverance has made you stronger and more in control of your happiness.

Self-Care for HealthCare Workers During High Pressure Times

At times of intense pressure and uncertainty, self-care is more important than ever, nevertheless it is in the fundamental nature of healthcare professionals to prioritize the needs of others before their own. They have a keen interest in the wellbeing of humanity and deep-rooted ethics that often lead them to fully overlook their own needs. While self-care for healthcare workers can be complex, it is essential in maintaining effective healthcare services especially in times of virus outbreaks like COVID-19.

It is not uncommon for healthcare workers to find themselves juggling competing needs of their patients, families and their own. When little time is left for self-care, stress and anxieties can creep in. Having a strategy in place to manage stressors in high pressure times can make the difference. Here are our suggestions:

Pace Yourself

Set attainable goals and break it up. Your goal for each hour may be different than your goal for the day. The relentless pace and mounting tension providers have been faced with since cases of COVID-19 first started erupting earlier in the year will take their toll on even the best of the workforce. Remember it is a marathon, not a sprint.

Take a Break

Recognize the signs of burnout and take self-care breaks when you see them. Typical signs of burnout include work-related hopelessness and feelings of inefficacy or defeat. Dedicating 10 minutes to an activity that can improve your state of mind such as a few mindful breathes, a phone call to a loved one or a short walk can turn your day around and make you better able to care for others.

Maintain Good Health Habits

When there is little time for self-care its common to see healthy habits circumvented by quick and less beneficial habits. Be mindful of this and give your best effort to maintain your health by bringing balanced meals to work, creating time for exercise, limiting alcohol consumption, and getting enough sleep.

Though these are good strategies for managing well-being, self-care means different things to everyone. Make it a mission to find coping mechanisms that work for you and dedicate the time that’s needed to them. Even though it is in the nature of healthcare professionals to give their all, every day- it benefits us all for them to take care of themselves first.

“You cannot pour from an empty cup. You must fill your cup first.” Norm Kelly

4 Ways to Avoid Burnout as a Healthcare Professional

Burnout can happen to employees in any field, but it’s increasingly common among the hardworking professionals in the healthcare industry. If you feel burnout approaching or want to do your best to avoid it at all costs, take a look at these four tips.

  1. Listen to Your Mind and Body

Suppressing your symptoms of burnout isn’t the right way to manage them. That’s why it’s important to not only be aware of burnout, but to also identify it as early as possible. From there, you can start to question the root cause and come up with potential solutions. Some of the most common symptoms of burnout include:

  • Low motivation — Motivation is critical in the healthcare industry. If you are struggling to focus or are feeling little motivation to excel in your position, you might be dealing with burnout.
  • Excess fatigue — If you feel mentally and physically exhausted at work despite how much sleep you’re getting, burnout might be the cause.
  • Negative attitude — Burnout can easily affect your attitude toward your job and your industry, making you question the outlook of your career.
  • Detachment — Even the most social employees can feel disengaged and start to detach themselves after feeling bouts of burnout.
  1. Focus on Self-Care

Making the most of your time at home can improve your performance and attitude toward your time at work. To prevent burnout from blowing out of proportion, spend your days off doing what you love most. Taking time to revisit your old hobbies or find brand-new ones will help you de-stress and better separate your personal and professional life. If it helps you to have a future activity to look forward to, consider booking activities like a spa day or personal training session, in advance.

  1. Use Your Vacation Time

Taking a break from your job can help you refocus, refresh, and regain the momentum you had when you first started. And you don’t have to invest in an international adventure to get the vacation you need. Simply stepping away from your duties for an extended weekend or weeklong getaway can work wonders for fatigue and low motivation. If your vacation isn’t enough to stunt your symptoms, however, it might be the right time to start looking for a change in workplaces.

  1. Look for a New Opportunity

If you feel undervalued, overworked, or out of love with your current job, consider looking for a new opportunity — and partner with a healthcare recruiter that can help you find the right one. Here at HealthCare Support, our team of healthcare recruiters will use your personal and professional information to uncover the most relevant positions available.

From there, we’ll equip you with the tools to nail the interview and negotiation process. And with quality assurance calls and consistent contact, we’ll stay connected for continual career support. To get started and join our talent network, call us today at 407-478-0332.