Anthony Ademiluyi
Medical experts have advocated work-life balance, healthy diet and lifestyle changes for the effective management of burnout in
They also urged employees to always create time out of their busy schedules to take good care of their physical and mental health, so as to always stay fit and be alert.
Employers of labour were also advised by the experts to ensure that their staff effectively manages burnout, noting that is inevitable in any work environment.
A Certified Personal Trainer and Wellness Consultant, Adura Odesanya, said that there are many causes of burnout, noting, however, that the one that stands out is that related to stress not properly managed at the workplace.
While speaking exclusively with Reportr Door Healthwise, she explained that burnout is exhaustion of physical or emotional strength, or motivation, usually due to prolonged stress or frustration.
She said, “Stress already affects health. Burnout should be considered a level higher than stress, which will most likely affect both the mental and physical health of a worker. The mental effects include insomnia (lack of sleep) and sadness, which can lead to depression and more.
“One of the major impacts of burnout on physical health is high blood pressure, which can lead to stroke or heart disease. Stress can also lead to mindless snacking, weight gain and the body not working at its optimal capacity”.
Odesanya explained that burnout is caused by not managing stress well, adding that the unfortunate reality is that most people get stressed at work, and this is in addition to what they are going through in their personal lives.
She said identifying the stress factor was the first step to finding a solution, adding, “Then you can work on managing it to avoid leading to burnout.”
The fitness expert advised those she referred to as ‘time-starved’ professionals to always create time for their physical and mental health to avoid burnout.
She said, “You need to take steps to manage your stress and heavy workload. Don’t wait until you have a health scare before you take stress management seriously. Sleep more and work on your time and task management. This will help you to work smarter and effectively.
“Don’t do everything by yourself. Work with a team or delegate duties where you can. Exercise for a minimum of 30 minutes, or at least three times a week. Observe lunch break, even if it’s for 20 minutes. Where possible, set boundaries and don’t take your work home. Make time for your personal interests and hobbies”.
Odesanya implored employers to help their employees avoid burnout, adding, “Organisations have an important role to play for the overall wellbeing of their staff and for optimal productivity.
“Employees should be encouraged to take breaks, which include annual leave. Encourage and appreciate staff with performance reward schemes. Promote and sustain good work-life balance for employees. Ensure employees are educated about the importance of healthy habits that include exercise, nutrition, sufficient sleep, health-focused events and retreats.”
Meanwhile, Holistic Nutritionist and Chief Executive Officer of OSA Food and Solution, Oluwaseun Obembe, said burnout is akin to a mental disorder.
He attributed burnout to unhealthy diet, noting that the practice of frequently consuming fast food was partly responsible for burnout being experienced by people.
Obembe advised professionals to start eating foods that are therapeutic in nature.
“Drinks like smoothies and yoghurts should be taken more. African dishes should be consumed because most of them are well prepared and they go through normal procedures and processes, unlike fast foods that upset the body system and disrupt hormonal balance,” he advised.
“Employers should assist with capacity strengthening, knowledge upgrade, research and development. Then they should also focus more on bringing in nutritionists, quality control experts and put their workers on good health policies.”
According to the World Health Organisation, burnout is a syndrome resulting from workplace stress that has not been successfully managed.
WHO noted that it is characterised by three dimensions – feelings of energy depletion or exhaustion, increased mental distance from one’s job or feelings of negativism, or cynicism related to one’s job, and reduced professional efficacy.
According to a 2016 study published in the World Psychiatry Journal, burnout was defined as a psychological syndrome emerging as a prolonged response to chronic interpersonal stressors on the job.
The study noted that the three key dimensions of this response are overwhelming exhaustion, feelings of cynicism and detachment from the job, and a sense of ineffectiveness and lack of accomplishment.
“The significance of this three‐dimensional model is that it clearly places the individual stress experience within a social context and involves the person’s conception of both self and others,” it stated.
In another 2022 study published by Science Direct, it was noted that fostering healthier workplaces was a necessity at any time, particularly during a crisis that has intensified job demands and drained job resources.
“Based on a review of the evidences, we provide five recommendations and implementation guidelines that can help organisations prevent and combat burnout: Provide stress management interventions; allow employees to be active crafters of their work; cultivate and encourage social support; engage employees in decision-making, and implement high-quality performance management,” the study stated.
Meanwhile, about two-thirds (64%) of Nigerian employees are said to be at risk of employee burnout, says a new report from a survey conducted by WellNewMe, a health technology company.
The survey, which gathered information regarding the risks of burnout faced by employees in Nigeria, said that the condition could lead to significant mental health challenges.
It described burnout as a state of emotional, physical and mental exhaustion caused by excessive and prolonged stress, occurring when an individual feels overwhelmed, emotionally drained and unable to meet constant demands.
“People suffering from burnout often experience emotional, mental and physical exhaustion, and this can have serious physical and mental health-related consequences, from which it can take a long time, and a lot of treatment, to recover,’’ it said.
The survey showed that 64 per cent of employees have an increased risk of burnout, with women having a slightly higher risk than men.
According to it, nearly two in 10 employees would require immediate assistance as they were already demonstrating behaviours which indicated that they were at a crisis point.
It said that consequences of burnout include excessive stress, fatigue, insomnia, sadness, anger or irritability, alcohol or substance misuse, heart disease, high blood pressure, Type 2 diabetes and vulnerability to illnesses such as cold and malaria.
Others are excessive stress, fatigue, insomnia, sadness, anger or irritability.
“People with burnout can be irritable, unpredictable, isolated, frustrated, confrontational, irrational, and very hard to be with.
“This can have catastrophic consequences for a family, in the workplace, or friendships.
“Women have a slightly higher risk than men.’’
The report also found that the condition leads to presenteeism (working when unwell), absenteeism, and an increase in turnover of staff which costs companies much more
It said that six in 10 employees were at an increased risk from suffering from physical exhaustion and 49 per cent were at an increased risk for emotional exhaustion with an increased risk of suffering from depression.
According to it, three in 10 of all employees are at an increased risk for mental exhaustion and about 40 per cent of Nigerian employees were found to be an increased risk for spiritual exhaustion.
It noted that the condition is often ignored as studies on burnout among Nigerian employees are very limited, despite the devastating impact it could have on individuals, businesses and society at large.
Dr. Obi Igbokwe, a co-founder of WellNewMe, said that despite its serious consequences for employers, burnout in the workplace is one of those conditions that companies across the world are struggling with.
“Its effects are even more telling in resource low countries like Nigeria when often mitigation of the risks and treatment of burnout is not very commonplace.
“There are significant mental health difficulties in the workplace in Nigeria as indicated by the results of the survey.
“Burnout leads to further stress-related ill-health which has a significant impact on physical and mental health. This leads to presenteeism (working when unwell), absenteeism and an increase in turnover of staff.
“Identifying and treating employees at risk of burnout is beneficial, not only to the wellbeing of the individual but also to the organisation in terms of their return on investment due to improved productivity.
“Whilst companies use absenteeism rate as an indicator of engagement and productivity, the evidence suggests that presenteeism costs companies much more.
“It is also one of the critical indicators of the health of the organisational culture. Mental ill-health arising from burnout is one of the most significant factors that underpin.’’
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