Homebuilders – Addressing burnout

Isn’t it great when you look forward to work, feel valued by your employers and know you’re making a useful contribution? If you used to feel like this, but you don’t any more, you may have developed burnout. Burnout is usually understood as happening within a work context, although stressed and overloaded parents can experience something similar. Initially, researchers such as psychologist Christina Maslach, who co-authored the Maslach Burnout Inventory, focused on workers in human services, but the focus has since broadened.

Its three main aspects are:
• Chronic exhaustion and feeling overloaded
• Cynicism about or disillusionment with work
• Reduced sense of accomplishment

What leads to burnout, and what can you do if you’re experiencing it?

Burnout often results from organisational problems. Under-staffing, insufficient resources, poor systems, unrealistic workloads, inadequate training and unsupportive management can all contribute. Organisational change is needed to fix these issues. You may have colleagues who are feeling similar stress, and it may be helpful to collectively approach management about it, or talk to your union. New Zealand businesses have a legal responsibility to manage risks to mental wellbeing under health and safety legislation, so it is in their interests to listen to staff concerns.

There are also things we can do as individuals if we feel we’re heading for burnout, or to help recover from it.

Regularly take stock of your stress levels. Ask yourself, am I doing the basics to look after myself?

Think about:
• Getting enough, good quality sleep.
• Eating and drinking healthily.
• Protecting your physical health with exercise and regular health checks.
• Establishing boundaries on your personal time (do you really need to answer that work email or call after hours? Are you taking all your annual leave?).
• Recreation is important. Make it a priority to do something you enjoy… Try something new that feels rejuvenating such as tramping, carpentry, Wordle, play an instrument or sing.
• Social connection is very important. It’s easy to become a hermit when work is taking all your energy, but enjoying time with friends and family boosts our energy and resilience, as well as maintaining those important relationships.
• Use some relaxation techniques.
• Talk to someone about how you’re feeling.

For many, their work is so closely aligned with their identity that experiencing burnout erodes their self-image and challenges their direction in life. You don’t have to change your whole life, but you may want to reassess your priorities and boost the time you give to things that bring you joy and satisfaction, whatever they are.

Homebuilders is one of the organisations in the community you can reach out to if you want some help working through issues like burnout. You can reach us on 09 425 7048.