Burnout is a state of physical and emotional exhaustion, so much so, it becomes almost impossible to function in our work or personal life or both.
When life gets too much, the smallest of tasks, like going for a shower or sending an email can feel as though you’re climbing a mountain when you are feeling burnt out. And after completing the task, it can leave you feeling drained all over again.
Earlier this year our research showed 55% of accountants admitted that they were suffering from stress and burnout. Heavy workloads, long hours, complex work with no room for error, high pressure environments were among the main triggers.
Today’s technology-driven, always-on culture is contributing to more-and-more of us feeling burnt out. Constantly checking our inboxes the second they ping and always being contactable via our mobiles and other devices means it can be difficult to switch off. All of which causes increasing pressure and demands within the accountant community.
What’s more, having to juggle working from home with looking after the kids and other family members, can blur the lines between work and home. And when you throw today’s 21st century always-on culture into the mix, it can become increasingly difficult to stop functioning at a million miles an hour.
“I felt that there was quite a bit of stress in my life. I had a lot of weight on my shoulders as I was in the process of building a team. I also felt that perhaps the way I was going about things wasn't the most time-effective. I was working day and night, yet still not achieving what I felt I should be.”
Stress is often an early warning sign of burnout and one of the main symptoms. But here are a few other signs to look out for in your day-to-day life:
If you’re feeling like life is starting to spiral out of control, it’s important that you intervene and make changes early on. The earlier you tackle the issue the less it will impact your wellbeing. That’s why we’re here. To help you find the right support for you. Whether that be talking to our registered counsellors or joining our safe and confidential support community to chat to others going through similar experiences.
You can also sign up to our free, dedicated Managing Burnout Course, which will provide you with practical guidance on the best way to manage your mental health and avoid burnout.
For more practical advice on preventing burnout, read burnout: how to prevent it (10 tips)
Our research shows that burnout is on the rise, with over 50% of accountants admitting that they suffer from stress and burnout. Taking the time to implement more self-care measures into our everyday routines is pivotal to helping prevent it.
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Read more from our mental health expert, Kirsty Lilley, as she shares her thoughts and advice on how chartered accountants and ICAEW members can prevent and address burnout at work.
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