Give Me a Break! How to Avoid Management Burnout in the Workplace
Did you know that burnout increased amongst people managers from 2020 to 2021? In 2020, the number of managers experiencing burnout was 27 percent, but in 2021 that number rose by eight percent, with 35 percent of managers reporting burnout.
In addition, millennial managers seem to be experiencing this the most.
With the current state of the world, it probably doesn’t surprise you that the rate of management burnout has increased. However, the big question has become, what can we do about it?
If you’re looking for ways to decrease burnout in your management team, keep reading.
What Is Burnout?
Burnout is a type of exhaustion. It happens because of excessive and prolonged physical, emotional, and mental stress. We often hear of individuals in human services fields experiencing high rates of burnout due to the emotional aspects of their jobs.
If you’re feeling overwhelmed, drained, and unable to keep up, you’re at risk of burnout.
How Do you Recognize Management Burnout?
Burnout doesn’t happen all at once or even hit all at once. However, there are some common symptoms that can help you recognize the signs of management burnout.
Some burnout symptoms include:
- Exhaustion
- Escape fantasies
- Isolation
- Irritability
- Frequent illnesses
- Loss of motivation
- Reduced performance
- Headaches
- Stomaches
- Difficulty concentrating
- Lack of creativity
How Do You Avoid Burnout?
Burnout can impact managers and ultimately have a trickle-down effect on your employees. But, can you avoid management burnout?
YES!
Consider Your Workload
Are you doing too much? Constantly feeling like you’re buried under a pile of work can contribute to burnout. With the labor shortage in the US, this feeling has intensified over the last couple of years.
But, it’s essential that you don’t allow your work to bury you. If you can delegate a task, do so.
There are a few steps you can take to help you delegate. These include:
- Know why you’re delegating
- Pick the right person
- Give them what they need
- Be clear on what you want
- Show trust and appreciation
You can find more information here about those steps and how to best utilize them in your workplace.
Take Mental Breaks
It’s challenging to sit in front of a computer all day and stay focused. Maybe, you never take a break. How often do you check your work email on your phone while grabbing lunch or a cup of coffee?
If you’re constantly going, you will experience burnout more quickly. Take the time to have a coffee break and do a puzzle. Take your lunch and spend it eating without peering at a screen over your meal.
If you’re struggling to set boundaries, consider using the Pomodoro technique. This technique helps you be more productive and allows for the mental breaks you need.
Learn How to Manage Stress
If you really want to learn how to avoid burnout, you need to learn how to manage stress. One of the most impactful ways you can do manage stress is by taking the time for self-care.
Managing Burnout When it Happens
If you’re already experiencing burnout, it’s not too late. Learning how to manage burnout can help you.
A few things you can do to manage your burnout include:
- Seek support
- Find relaxing activities
- Exercise
- Sleep
- Practice mindfulness
However, do your best to practice good self-care and prevent burnout before it happens.
Avoid Management Burnout
Management burnout can impact your workplace in many ways. It’s essential to learn how to avoid burnout and manage burnout when it happens.
Were these ideas about burnout and stress management helpful? Keep reading more articles on our website for more ideas.
