Warning signs: Keep your eyes peeled

RECOGNISING the warning signs is the key to avoiding burnout, according to anxiety and mental health expert, Bev Aisbett, author and illustrator of The Book of Burnout: What It Is, Why It Happens, Who Gets It and How to Stop It Before It Stops You! 

Australian Conveyancer Magazine asked Bev for her advice on how to recognise the symptoms of burnout, alleviate the pressures, and where to seek help if things should get too much.

How does burnout happen? 

Not everyone in a high-stress job (such as airline pilots or surgeons) reaches burnout, so in many ways, burnout tends to be a matter of how one manages demands and this would include setting boundaries, pacing oneself, keeping a healthy work-life balance and easing back on perfectionism.

Who is vulnerable? 

There is a particular personality type most prone to burnout (and anxiety in general) – the Type A personality. This group comprises high-achievers who are competitive, driven, perfectionistic and for whom relaxation is a foreign concept. While it is difficult for a Type A to learn to ease up, it is doable.

Why is burnout on the rise? 

COVID took quite a toll on people’s mental health – the secure lifestyle that we took for granted was suddenly thrown into chaos. The future suddenly became less predictable and instead of steadily working towards a stable, known set of goals, there arose a sense of urgency to ‘get things done, while you can’. Since then, the spiralling cost of living has caused people to have to push harder to make ends meet.

Where can people go for help? 

A good counsellor can help you understand and address the underlying factors that cause you to push yourself so hard. Seeking professional help is important if your health and wellbeing are suffering as a result of taking on too much. You can also learn techniques to relax, such as meditation and yoga.