Addressing Burnout and Increasing Productivity: A Comprehensive Guide
In today's fast-paced world, burnout has become a prevalent issue affecting professionals across industries.
Burnout, characterized by physical and emotional exhaustion, can impact productivity, work-life balance, and overall well-being. To combat this rising problem, individuals must adopt strategies to address burnout while simultaneously boosting productivity.
We sat down with Marissa McKool from McKool Coaching to explore the causes and signs of burnout and practical techniques to overcome it and improve productivity.
What is Burnout?
Burnout is a state of chronic physical, emotional, and mental exhaustion caused by prolonged stress and overwhelming work demands. It often occurs when individuals feel they have little control over their work or cannot meet high expectations placed upon them.
On the Ultraviolet Tide podcast, McKool defines burnout as “being stuck in an emotion.” This definition was popularized by the book Burnout: The Secret to Unlocking the Stress Cycle by Emily Nagoski, Ph.D., and Amelia Nagoski, DMA.
“During the Industrial Revolution, the world, especially in the U.S., switched from home economics (farming, trading, and goods) to factories and cities. Where there were people at the top making a lot of money and paying their laborers very little based on the amount of TIME they worked.” - Marissa McKool
McKool goes on to explain that this could be the period where the phrase “time is money” originated.
The Three Types of Burnout
After defining burnout, we then dove into understanding the types of burnout and how they present. There are three main types of burnout most commonly experienced.
Mental Burnout
Physical Burnout
Emotional Burnout
McKool explains that individuals can experience just one form of burnout or a combination of these three types.
Common signs of burnout include fatigue, decreased motivation, and detachment from colleagues and tasks. Recognizing these symptoms is crucial to prevent burnout from becoming a chronic issue.
Tips for Dealing with Burnout
One of the primary causes of burnout is an excessive workload coupled with tight deadlines. Unfortunately, we are not always in a position where we’re able to remove these stressors.
McKool shares her top three tips for dealing with burnout. All three of these tips can be applied to any environment, personal or professional.
Learn how to process your emotions: Processing emotions can be tricky. However, learning how to effectively process emotions can help address the original cause of burnout.
Focus on things inside your control: This tip is easier said than done. There is no denying that feeling powerless and having limited control can contribute to burnout. Take time to evaluate stressors in your environment that may be out of your control.
Acknowledge Everything is a Choice: Replace “I have to” statements—everything we do is a choice.
These tools are just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to dealing with burnout. If you’re ready to learn more, here are additional strategies to address burnout.
Additional Strategies to Address Burnout
Mindfulness and Meditation: Practicing mindfulness and meditation can manage stress, increase self-awareness, and improve emotional regulation. Encouraging mindfulness exercises can significantly reduce burnout levels.
Encouraging Physical Activity: Regular exercise is an effective way to reduce stress and increase energy levels. Take short breaks throughout your day to stretch or take a short walk.
Time Management: Proper time management can enhance your ability to prioritize tasks, set achievable goals, and manage a workload efficiently.
Nourishing Culture: Creating a supportive and inclusive environment where you feel valued, respected, and recognized for your contributions can significantly reduce burnout and enhance productivity.
Meet Marissa McKool
Marissa McKool is a third-generation Lebanese American. She received her Master’s in Public Health from Emory University in 2015 and was an ORISE Fellow for the CDC from 2015-2017.
She served as the Assistant Director and then Executive Director of the UC Berkeley School of Public Health for four years, and in 2021, launched McKool Coaching. McKool Coaching helps women in the public health sector stop overworking and get more rest.
CONNECT WITH MARISSA:
Website: https://www.mckoolcoaching.com
Podcast: https://www.mckoolcoaching.com/podcast
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/publichealthcoach/
Want to learn more? Head over to the Ultraviolet Tide episode with Marissa McKool or watch on Youtube.