Breakthrough Personal & Professional Development Inc. DEO, Bonita Eby was interviewed on CHCH Morning Live. This article is a summary of that interview.

Click the image to watch the live television interview.

Host: Burnout and stress are terms that are being used a lot more frequently and often interchangeably, but there is a difference. Burnout Prevention Strategist and owner of Breakthrough Personal & Professional Development, Bonita Eby, joins us this morning.

What is the definition of burnout?

Host: Good morning. Thanks for joining us. We throw the term burnout around all the time, but can you define burnout for us.

Bonita: Burnout results from chronic workplace stress that has been unsuccessfully managed. It often presents as exhaustion, cynicism around our work and reduced productivity. 1

What is the difference between burnout & stress?

Host: There's a difference obviously between burnout and stress.

Bonita: Absolutely. It’s that chronic, ongoing stress that happens in our workplace that can cause burnout. Stress is the impetus, while burnout results from ongoing, unresolved stress.

Can burnout look different in different people?

Host: Burnout is the result, but can it look different among individuals?

Bonita: Yes, and that's tricky because it looks different, although there are a few symptoms that tend to show up most of the time.

What are the symptoms of burnout?

Exhaustion:

First is exhaustion. Sometimes that starts with just feeling frequently tired, but in the end, it can escalate toward being exhausted to the point of not being able to walk up the stairs or get groceries or take care of your children properly. 2

Reduced Immunity:

Sometimes burnout presents through reduced immunity. Oftentimes, people find that their immune system becomes impacted when they’re exhausted and have stress hormones coursing through their bodies. As a result, they may get colds and cases of flu more often. In the early stages, they might not be able to fight off a rash. But eventually, the decreased immunity can lead to heart disease or even a heart attack. 3, 4

Sleep Disturbances

Insomnia and sleep disturbances can lead to emotional exhaustion. Often this is when people reach out for help. They find that their productivity is going down because they cannot sleep well anymore. They're just not able to handle things. But when their relationships at home begin to suffer, they reach out for help. 5,6

Learn more about The Symptoms of Burnout.

Does burnout happen quickly or slowly?

Host: Do you find now with your clients it's something that's just been a slow burn until all of those things have piled up, and they realize they've got a problem, but it's something that just develops over a long period of time?

Bonita: Burnout does take a long time to develop. In the beginning, it looks pretty insidious, and that's why I have a free Burnout Assessment that helps you understand where you are at risk and where you are not. People use this individually and within their organizations to take care of their employees.

How can an employee talk to their employer about burnout?

Host: Prevention is so important here, and so is talking to your employer if you're getting these warning signs.

Bonita: That's how many people use the Burnout Assessment. Individuals will download it, complete the Burnout Assessment and then talk with their boss. They now have something tangible in their hands to express what they're experiencing and find the resources they need to thrive. Sometimes that means going and talking with a counsellor or talking with a close friend.

Entire organizations use the Burnout Assessment with their employees so they can catch red flags early, provide resources, and provide training, sometimes in workshops, sometimes through individual coaching. Then, we get them through so they can be productive people within that organization long-term.

Download your free Burnout Assessment.

Are companies willing to address workplace burnout?

Host: Are you finding among employers and employees that the climate is right for that or is there a hesitancy to admit it?

Bonita: There’s both. There are ones who have been working on their culture and recognize that often it’s culture issues within the organization that can be tweaked to make a profound difference for their employees. That makes a huge difference to their bottom line. It's very expensive to lose one of your highest performers but putting a few things into place so employees can thrive lets your organization succeed.

Other organizations are a bit afraid of addressing workplace burnout, so sometimes, I'm the one who comes in and opens the conversation through workshops or consulting.

Host: We’re going to link up your website because it is a great resource. Thank you.

About the author

Bonita Eby is a Burnout Prevention & Organizational Culture Consultant, Executive Coach, and owner of Breakthrough Personal & Professional Development Inc., specializing in burnout prevention and wellness for organizations and individuals. Bonita is on a mission to end burnout. Get your free Burnout Assessment today.

References

1, 2. Burn-out an "occupational phenomenon": International classification of diseases. (n.d.). Retrieved April 14, 2021, from https://www.who.int/news/item/28-05-2019-burn-out-an-occupational-phenomenon-international-classification-of-diseases

3. Bargellini, A., Barbieri, A., Rovesti, S., Vivoli, R., Roncaglia, R., & Borella, P. (2000, July). Relation between immune variables and burnout in a sample of physicians. Retrieved June 22, 2020, from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1739992/

4. Mommersteeg,, P. M., PhD, Heijnen, C. J., PhD, Kavelaars, A., PhD, & Van Doornen, L. J., PhD. (2006). Immune and Endocrine Function in Burnout Syndrome : Psychosomatic Medicine. Retrieved June 22, 2020, from https://journals.lww.com/psychosomaticmedicine/Abstract/2006/11000/Immune_and_Endocrine_Function_in_Burnout_Syndrome.10.aspx

5. Sonnenschein, M., Sorbi, M. J., Van Doornen, L. J., Schaufeli, W. B., & Maas, C. J. (2006). Evidence that impaired sleep recovery may complicate burnout improvement independently of depressive mood. Utrecht: Department of Clinical and Health Psychology, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17383501/

6. Armon, G., Shirom, A., Shapira, I., & Melamed, S. (2008). On the nature of burnout–insomnia relationships: A prospective study of employed adults. Journal of Psychosomatic Research, 65(1), 5–12. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpsychores.2008.01.012