Burnout prevention:
quickly recognising when it is all getting too much

Stressed at work? Some 40% of German employees feel the same (source: State of the Global Workplace 2022, Gallup Institute). The risk of suffering burnout is increasing – and that means preventing it has never been more important. After all, the decline is often a slow, insidious process. What starts with a couple of hours of overtime can escalate into crippling exhaustion that renders the sufferer incapable of work and decision-making. The diagnosis is often burnout syndrome. The feeling of being completely exhausted and unable to rest is the reason for some 190,000 doctor appointments every year, often resulting in employees being promptly signed off as the number of sick days constantly rises.

Burnout can affect anyone. Stress at work or home and one’s own constant desire to excel are just a few of the causes that can lead to burnout. Recognising the symptoms of burnout and taking preventive measures should be of fundamental importance to all employees and companies. This is the only way to perform consistently well at work and, above all, protect our own health and that of our co-workers.

Burnout definition: what is burnout?

Burnout syndrome describes the condition of being mentally exhausted. Being “burnt out” manifests itself in a variety of symptoms. Emotional exhaustion, lack of motivation, indifference, failure or fear of failure all lead to a decline in a person's performance and cause them to feel overwhelmed by having to live up to expectations every day. It is always a gradual process. In fact, it can take weeks or even months for burnout syndrome to become noticeable and recognised as a serious problem by those affected.

But how does burnout happen and are some people more prone to suffering it than others? No one is immune to overwork and endless to-do lists. And yet it tends to be a person’s own attitude to their work and everyday life management that takes many to their stress limits – both physically and mentally. If other personality traits such as perfectionism, low self-esteem, a strong need to please others or the feeling of not having control over your work are added into the mix, the risk of suffering from burnout increases.

Anzeichen für Burnout – Symptome und Warnsignale

Aktuell sind ca. 130 Anzeichen für Burnout bekannt und die meisten Erkrankten beschreiben das Syndrom damit, „ausgebrannt“ zu sein. Was alle gemein haben, ist eine tiefe Erschöpfung, die auch nach längeren Pausen oder Erholungsphasen besteht. Sollten Sie mehrere dieser Burnout-Symptome bei sich feststellen, sollten Sie sich dringend Hilfe suchen.

The most common burnout symptoms are:

  • Exhaustion

  • Lack of energy

  • Constant tiredness

  • Sleep disorders

  • Diminished performance

  • Concentration and memory problems

Other signs of burnout:

  • Indifference

  • Feeling of weakness

  • Lack of empathy

  • Restlessness

  • Tendency to cry

  • Cynicism

  • Relationship/family problems

Physical complaints:

  • Weakened immune system with frequent colds

  • Muscle tension

  • Sleep disorders

  • Tightness in chest

  • Headaches

  • Back pain

  • Tinnitus

  • Fatigue

  • Breathing difficulties

  • Stomach and intestinal problems

Warning signs of burnout:

  • The feeling of never having enough time

  • Hyperactivity

  • Inability to say no

  • Inaccuracies when completing tasks

  • Voluntary, unpaid overtime

  • Difficulty concentrating

  • Self-pity

  • Increased consumption of alcohol or tablets

  • Lack of humour

  • Dissatisfaction with one’s own performance

 

Burnout Symptome New Work
Burnout Symptome New Work
Burnout Symptome New Work

10 tips to prevent burnout

Burnout does not happen by chance. Since the risk of burnout is predominantly determined by your own behaviour, you can counteract the feeling of complete exhaustion by taking preventive measures:

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    2. Preventing burnout through prioritisation

    Do you know the feeling of arriving at the end of the day and having little to show for it? The feeling of not being able to complete important tasks can pose a dangerous risk of burnout.

    Your measureshre: Improve your time management and make sure you leave enough time for your tasks. Order your tasks by importance and urgency.
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If, despite all of these measures, you find it difficult to relax, try to find out where exactly the cause lies. Go to your doctor, seek professional counselling and find a suitable therapy to lower your stress levels. If you know who is in charge of health management at your company, speak to them, too, and look for ways to make your working life healthier.

If you are sure that changing jobs is the only way forward, get in touch and let us find a suitable alternative for you together.

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